One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS)

BACKGROUND:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has conducted national surveillance for waterborne and foodborne disease outbreaks since the early 1970s. Outbreaks are reported to CDC by local and state health departments via the web-based National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). Outbreaks associated with exposure to harmful algal blooms (HABs) may be reported in NORS, however HAB-associated outbreaks are difficult to detect and aggregate human outbreak data have provided insufficient data to inform future prevention efforts.

METHODS:  In 2013, CDC initiated a project to improve surveillance for HAB events and associated illnesses. CDC established a working group, which is a collaboration of state and federal partners with expertise in harmful algal blooms and illness surveillance, to develop and launch the One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS). OHHABS utilizes a One Health approach to collect data—receiving and linking reports of single cases of human illness and of animal illness to environmental data about HAB events. During 2014 and 2015, the working group drafted reporting forms and case definitions for cases of human illness, animal illness, and HAB events, and piloted a version of OHHABS.

RESULTS: In June 2016, OHHABS was launched nationally as a voluntary reporting system available to state, local, and territorial partners. To support public awareness of HABs, CDC concurrently launched a new HAB-associated illness website and engaged in partner and social media outreach. Since the launch, CDC has continued to engage the working group regarding HAB surveillance priorities and needs, and has programmed new features to facilitate OHHABS adoption and use. Interest from additional veterinary and environmental health stakeholders has further highlighted the potential to optimize One Health surveillance efforts related to HABs.

CONCLUSIONS: OHHABS will provide data to better understand the emerging issue of HAB events and associated illnesses. Support of state activities related to HAB surveillance will be strengthened by the continuation of a collaborative One Health approach, and early demonstration of the value of HAB-associated public health data.