Information Analysis Systems

Computer models and epidemiologic/economic analyses designed to enhance decision-making at multiple levels of scale for decision makers during disease outbreaks.

Overview of the Information Analysis Systems theme

Modeling and analysis tools to support better informed decision making at multiple levels of scale

The Dynamic Preparedness System

The Dynamic Preparedness System (DPS) addresses a significant gap in emergency response management for potential outbreaks of foreign animal and zoonotic diseases (FAZDs) in the United States.

Food and Agriculture System Transportation (FASTRANS) Model of Interstate Movement of Livestock (with the National Center for Food Protection and Defense)

Most epidemiologic models assume disease is spread by direct or indirect contact at local levels and they do not take into account the long distance movement of animals across the country that occurs in commerce. The DHS has provided special funding to the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD) and the FAZD Center to acquire the data and to build a national transportation model that will be input to multiple epidemiologic modeling efforts.

Risk Assessment for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease (with NCPFPD)

DHS has provided special funding to the NCFPD and FAZD Center for a study to compare and evaluate the various models now used for risk assessment and to explore their utility for foreign animal and zoonotic disease.

RVF Epidemiologic and Economic Impact Assessment for NBACC

FAZD Center scientists provided an assessment of the national epidemiologic and economic impact of various scenarios of an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in the U.S. for the biennial White House Biothreat Risk Assessment conducted by the DHS National Biological Threat Characterization Center.

Assessment of Impact of FMD Outbreak in Feedlots – Texas

The impact of outbreaks of FMD into randomly selected feedlots has been assessed in a nine county area of the High Plains of Texas that contains a high concentration of large CAFO operations. A model has been updated and adapted to create a realistic, regional FMD epidemic model. This resulted from collaboration between the FAZD Center, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and West Texas A&M University.

Models and Databases to Assess Consequences of Prevention and Intervention

The ability to examine the molecular intricacies of infectious agent-host processes is critical to the development of new protection, detection, and therapeutic strategies.

State Guidance – Critical Food and Agriculture Assets with (NCPFD)

NCPFD and the FAZD Center were asked to develop a more quantitative systems approach for state level emergency responders and industry to assess the relative priority of their food and agriculture assets as a means of determining the allocation of DHS resources for prevention and emergency response to outbreaks of disease or other emergencies.

Food and Agriculture Criticality Assessment Tool (FASCAT)

In collaboration with the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), the FAZD Center has participated in the accelerated development and deployment of FASCAT at the request of the Infrastructure Protection Office (IPO).

National Bio-Surveillance Integration System (NBIS)

At the request of the Office of Health Affairs, the FAZD Center (in collaboration with the National Center for Food Protection and Defense), adapted a system used for training emergency responders to develop a dynamic display system to portray the products of the NBIS system in an interactive format for decision makers at multiple levels of government.