CDC’s Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Surveillance System
NCEH has developed the Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS) to support public health decision-making. This unique system collects data on human and animal health and on the environmental effects of harmful algal blooms (HABs). The modular format allows for data collection to be expanded to suit the needs of state and local health and environmental protection agencies. In the future, stored data will be used to help predict local HABs so that state public health and environmental health will be able not only to respond to reports of human or animal illnesses, but also anticipate public health problems.
Data collection for HABISS is underway in 13 states [PDF, 265 Kb]. NCEH will use the information to monitor and analyze this data in order to better understand the impact of algal blooms on the health of the general public.
How HABISS Works
HABISS operates on a secure platform, the Rapid Data Collector (RDC), which was engineered specifically for survey design and data collection. Data are protected and can be accessed only with approval and a password; can be entered, edited, and saved for subsequent sessions; and can be exported to Access, Excel, or XML. Users can access HABISS by obtaining a digital certificate, and connecting to an online secure data network. For more information on accessing HABISS, please refer to the appropriate contact, listed below.
Data Elements
HABISS requires several key indicators (e.g., dates, agency contact information, state codes, route of exposure, patient’s chief complaint). When data are available, HABISS prompts users to report the following elements for a suspected human illness:
- Point of contact for the system
- Case demographics
- Environmental information
- Exposure information
- Signs and symptoms
- Medical review, including laboratory analysis
- Case assessment and follow-up
- Parallel modules for animal events
HABISS prompts users to report the following data elements for algal blooms:
- Water sample and collection information
- Geographic coordinates
- Toxin identification
Current and Future HABISS Activities
- Linking reported weather conditions and meteorological factors to HAB outbreaks;
- Collaborating with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP);
- Helping states build a Web-based bulletin of early warning signs for HAB events;
- Developing new case definitions for HAB toxin-related diseases to be included in both HABISS and the national Poisindex® database;
- Expanding the HABISS network to include international partners and participants.
For more information, please contact:
| Dr. Lorraine Backer | LBacker@cdc.gov | HAB Surveillance |
| Rebecca LePrell | RLePrell@cdc.gov | HABISS access and/or reporting |
| Brian Robinson | BRobinson2@cdc.gov | Rapid Data Collector |
