Figure 4.

Key elements of data capture and information flows for real-time quantitative analysis to inform outbreak management. The at-risk population encompasses cases and, where available, a sentinel subpopulation (blue boxes). Three types of data capture activities are identified (red boxes): case finding (including associated epidemiological investigations such as contact tracing); diagnostic information on individual patients, including serological testing and pathogen sequencing; and so-called ‘denominator’ studies on the population at risk, including demography, behaviour, e.g. social media activity, and the impact of health measures. Information flows (yellow boxes) involve communication between data gatherers, data analysts and modellers, policy makers and public health authorities. We note, however, that decision making never relies solely on the outputs of real-time epidemiological analyses.