Features of Bioterrorism Information System

Abstract

Background and objectives: Bioterrorism Information System has been widely used under different titles for real-time detection, control and evaluation of bioterrorism attacks in various countries. Appling such system, based on various characteristics, leads to reduction of epidemiological effects and reduction of its etiologic factors in the community whose benefits are real-time health response and increasing national security. The effects of such a system depend on its features. This study aims to investigate the features of Bioterrorism Information System. Method: To accomplish this review study, 150 articles including the key words of Sentinel Surveillance, Biosurveillance, Disease Outbreaks, Bioterrorism and Information Systems were originally derived from the ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. 150 articles dated 1980-2017 were found of which 79 were analytically identified as the main ones according to the content. Results: Based on this study, the features of Bioterrorism Information System were classified into five main categories: collection, processing, distribution of data, legal requirements, and Security requirements. Conclusion: Identifying the features of the Bioterrorism Information System is an important step in its designing. If the Bioterrorism Information System is properly designed and its features are considered in terms of collection, processing, distribution, security and legal requirements, it will more effectively detect bioterrorism attacks.