However, the increasing availability of timely electronic surveillance data, both reportable diagnoses and pre-diagnostic syndromic indicators, raises the possibility of earlier outbreak detection and intervention if suitable analytic methods are found.

The objectives of PulseNet International are to perform molecular surveillance of foodborne diseases at the global level in order to facilitate international outbreak detection and investigation by partnering with public health laboratories throughout the world and by building capacity for molecular surveillance of foodborne pathogens.

The increased availability of electronic health-care data, however, raises the possibility of more automated and earlier outbreak detection and subsequent intervention.

MassTag PCR demonstrated its tripartite value as a tool for surveillance, outbreak detection, and epidemiology.

Originally founded in 1994, and a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases since 1999, ProMED-mail has more than 50,000 participants in over 185 countries and has pioneered the concept of electronic, Internet-based, emerging disease and outbreak detection and reporting.

Working in collaboration with other arms of the nation's public health system, public health laboratories provide clinical diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, newborn screening, environmental and radiological testing, emergency response support, outbreak detection, applied research, laboratory training and other essential services to the communities they serve.