Development and Application of Syndromic Surveillance for Severe Weather Events Following Hurricane Sandy

After Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Department of Health developed indicators to improve syndromic surveillance for extreme weather events in EpiCenter, an online system that allows users to collect and analyze real-time chief complaint emergency department data and classifies each visit by indicator or syndrome. This system was able to recognize indicators in carbon monoxide poisoning, methadone-related visits, and asthma. Recognizing sources of data and the indicators to be followed are important during planning and response.