In addition to the use of DNA genotyping during outbreak investigations, the technology has been applied as a complementary tool to conventional methods in TB control (19– 22).
In apparent agreement with this expectation, Datta et al. (2008) have recently examined a large collection of L. monocytogenes strains from different outbreaks using PM technology and found that strains involved in invasive listeriosis outbreaks seem to be more acid tolerant.
New technologies for outbreak investigation have the potential to greatly assist public health officials in successfully managing these changing factors.
In addition, the pandemic influenza A(H1N1 2009 VLP vaccine safety and immunogenicity profile revealed in the clinical trial performed during the outbreak suggests that this VLP technology is a suitable alternative to current influenza vaccine technologies to produce seasonal and pandemic vaccines.
To predict malaria outbreaks, remote sensing technologies need to be coupled with a better understanding of how specific populations are effected by host immunity, which could allow population susceptibility at any given time to be estimated.
"At the time, it seemed extreme, and it seemed restrictive, because I had never experienced an infectious disease outbreak," said Scott Dewing, director of technology at the school and one of the trip chaperons.
The results of this study highlight the essential contribution of whole genome sequencing, performed by NGS technology, to distinguish outbreak cases, i.e., related cases with a common epidemiological source, from clusters of temporary and geographically proximate but unrelated cases.
Mobile devices and cloud technology provide new technological possibilities for disease surveillance and outbreak management.
The safety and immunogenicity profile presented by this pandemic VLP vaccine during the outbreak in Mexico suggests that VLP technology is a suitable alternative to current influenza vaccine technologies for producing pandemic and seasonal vaccines.
Sequence variant analyses of V. cholerae isolates, including multiple isolates from the Haitian outbreak, identify coverage-specific and technology-specific effects on variant detection, and provide insight into genomic change and functional evolution during an epidemic.
