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There is a need for improved and internationalized monitoring of health-risk indicators in relation to infectious diseases. Existing global monitoring activities should encompass not only direct measures of disease incidence and prevalence, but also encompass health-related climatological and ecological measurements for development of predictive models. An integrated approach to development of predictive models for global infectious disease surveillance will require collaborations between medicine, public health, ecology, and climatology; will foster improved prevention-oriented policies; and, has the potential benefit to reduce human and economic vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks. Currently, no comprehensive early warning and surveillance system for infectious diseases exists. The below links are designed to make available some of the information needed to develop an integrated system.

Disease Outbreaks. Morbidity, mortality, and the economic cost of infectious diseases can be measured through disease surveillance. Detection, monitoring, investigation, and reporting of disease situations that could affect public health at the local, national, and international levels are the cornerstones of an active surveillance program.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Travel Information, Disease Outbreaks
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service, Bacterial Foodborne Diseases Sentinel Site
• WHO Outbreaks Page

Climate Forecasts and Information. Infectious disease pathogens and insect pests are normally constrained by bioclimatic thresholds. Changes in climate and weather patterns have the potential to adversely impact the geographic distribution of these organisms and frequency of disease emergence. The capacity now exists to issue experimental meteorological forecasts in advance of climate related changes in rainfall and temperature patterns throughout the world.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Information Services

Ecological Information. An increased frequency and/or distribution of disease outbreaks may be accompanied by changes in vegetation, soil type, land use, and urbanization. Remote sensing technology has the capability to define more precisely the topographical and landscape epidemiological conditions associated with pathogen abundance and distribution.

• National Aeronautic and Space Administration, Earth Observing System Data Information System

For additional information, contact the Executive Secretariat, CISET Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520.

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