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Veratect the Company to First Sound Alarm on Swine Influenza Makes Data on the Spread of this Disease Public
Veratect the Company to First Sound Alarm on Swine Influenza Makes Data on the Spread of this Disease Public
Published 05-04-09
Submitted by Veratect Corporation
KIRKLAND, Wash., - May 4, 2009 - Veratect Corporation, a company that tracks disease outbreaks globally, announced data from the 24-hour tracking service that first detected the current swine influenza outbreak will be made available to the public. Veratect's data will provide public health, humanitarian and aid organizations, as well as local and national governments, with up-to-the-minute information about potential spread of the disease to aid in early response efforts. Updates will be made available via Twitter at www.twitter.com/veratect.
"In this rapidly evolving outbreak, early intervention can mean the difference between life and death for people in countries potentially affected by swine influenza. We want to provide Veratect's services to everyone concerned about this outbreak so they can have the information they need to respond in a timely and effective manner," said Robert (Bob) Hart, president and CEO.
First to Detect Current Swine Influenza Outbreak
Veratect analysts first detected the current disease outbreak 18 days before the World Health Organization (WHO) posted its first public report on April 24. Veratect began tracking unusual respiratory illness associated with Mexico on March 30 and noted a growing number of cases as they arose.
Since tracking what appears to be the first case on March 30, the company has tracked atypical pneumonia and respiratory disease cases potentially related to the swine influenza outbreak in Mexico and the United States. Veratect then worked to make these reports available to the Emergency Operations Center and Global Disease Detection Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as to WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), and several other state and foreign governments as well as NGO and other non-governmental public health entities. Since April 16, Veratect analysts have issued more than 100 alerts of suspect respiratory and influenza illnesses arising from this event.
In addition to providing round-the-clock tracking services during this outbreak, Veratect analysts will provide public health and government officials with free comprehensive reporting and consultation services, including:
- The location of confirmed and suspected cases;
- Progression and severity of illness;
- Effectiveness of response measures, including antibiotic resistance;
- Instances of social disruption such as border closures, declarations of martial law, cancellation of international flights and shortages of facemasks or other critical supplies; and
- Closures of businesses, public facilities.
"Without the continual feeds provided by Veratect, the state of Colorado would have been behind in our understanding of the full scale and magnitude of the current threat posed by swine influenza," said Chris Lindley, director of emergency preparedness and response, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Ihsan Azzam, the State Epidemiologist of Nevada, notes that Veratect's tracking services provided "The very first alerts I received regarding this Swine Flu Epidemic, as well as the most detailed, accurate, timely and comprehensive information."
Veratect's public health experts and regional analysts incorporate data from more than 40,000 original sources in more than 30 languages for the company's unique 24-hour tracking and comprehensive reporting services. The company's exclusive methodology targets local sources, which often report the signs of disease outbreaks before being officially diagnosed.
About Veratect Corporation
Veratect was established in 2007 to provide the earliest detection of potential threats to human, animal and plant life while empowering corporations, government organizations, NGOs and global citizens with trusted and actionable information. By identifying risks early, actions can be taken that can save lives, enable effective loss control, preserve business processes, safeguard supply chain operations and facilities, and better manage financial reporting and insurance coverage.
Public health and government agencies interested in receiving full reports from Veratect on disease-related events should contact Mark Cole at 425-281-5276 or cole@veratect.com.
An updated timeline of cases leading up to the current outbreak is available to interested media. Please contact Jennifer Gehrt, with Communiqué Public Relations at +1 (206) 282-4923 ext. 112 or on her mobile at +1 (206) 419-3203 for more information.
