Impact of using the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system for early detection of public health threats in the Americas

Overview

Epidemic intelligence, which integrates event- and indicator-based surveillance, requires systematic, organized collection, analysis and interpretation of information from diverse sources to detect, verify and investigate potential acute public health threats to ensure early warning and response to those threats. Since implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, use of epidemic intelligence, a component of public health intelligence, has accelerated significantly. Under the IHR, States Parties are required to develop, strengthen and maintain their core surveillance and response capacities to identify, assess, report and respond to an event that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Enhancing and streamlining event-based surveillance systems is critical to achieving this goal.