New Software Detects Bioterrorism Attack

Days later – after thousands of deaths – doctors find that what they thought was a new more deadly strain of influenza virus was actually a bioterrorism attack. If only the doctors had known what they were dealing with, they could have saved most of the patients who died.

The system collects data from emergency rooms, pharmacy companies, poison centers and even meat packaging companies, analyzing the data for unusual trends.  Which is how existing bioterrorism computer information gathering is supposed to work but does not?

According to the RODs software developers, most local and state health agencies have very separated computer systems that far from facilitate the sharing of health information especially quickly as is needed in an emergency such as bioterrorism attack.

RODs director Dr. Michael Wagner, also co-director of Bio Medical Security Institute (BSMI), began research for the RODs system in 1999 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with other government organizations.  Researchers at BSMI, a separate organization, have contributed in the work over the past two years.

The software is designed to detect any sudden increase in symptoms of flu, respiratory illnesses, diarrhea and skin rashes and if the increased symptoms are from a circulating flu bug or the release of a chemical or biological weapon.

Officials used RODs for surveillance during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City Utah, in late February, and hospitals throughout Utah, are also now connected using RODs software.