A three-state recursive sequential Bayesian algorithm for biosurveillance

K. D. Zamba, Panagiotis Tsiamyrtzis, Douglas M. Hawkins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

A serial signal detection algorithm is developed to monitor pre-diagnosis and medical diagnosis data pertaining to biosurveillance. The algorithm is three-state sequential, based on Bayesian thinking. It accounts for non-stationarity, irregularity and seasonality, and captures serial structural details of an epidemic curve. At stage n, a trichotomous variable governing the states of an epidemic is defined, and a prior distribution for time-indexed serial readings is set. The technicality consists of finding a posterior state probability based on the observed data history, using the posterior as a prior distribution for stage n+1 and sequentially monitoring surges in posterior state probabilities. A sensitivity analysis for validation is conducted and analytical formulas for the predictive distribution are supplied for error management purposes. The method is applied to syndromic surveillance data gathered in the United States (US) District of Columbia metropolitan area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)82-97
Number of pages16
JournalComputational Statistics and Data Analysis
Volume58
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Bayesian sequential update
  • Dynamic control
  • Syndromic surveillance

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