ABSTRACT
Timeliness and early detection are critical in controlling a disease outbreak. Recognizing each case of an outbreak has unique characteristics that inuence transmission dynamics, controlling the spread of infectious disease remains a challenge. Early indications (syndromes or symptoms) of disease outbreak in a new area (community) are important for containment. Information dissemination at the local community level, which is closest to the public, plays a critical role and an area of scant research. One viable lowest-common denominator is “free text” exchange through SMS text messaging, which has received little attention. Moreover, how training could improve “free text” use through plain language training and situation awareness has not been studied in relation to biosurveillance initiatives.
