Identifying informatics issues in developing surveillance systems for vector-based infectious disease: A scoping review protocol

This project will comprehensively identify informatics issues in developing, implementing and evaluating vector-borne infectious disease (VBDs) surveillance and management systems (VBD-SMSs). These systems support the prediction and management of vector-borne disease, and may integrate data about climate, the environment, and animal and human health. By enabling proactive public health responses, such as pre-emptive treatment with mosquito repellent or clinician training, VDB-SMSs aim to reduce disease burden and improve health outcomes. Specifically, we will conduct a scoping review to guide the development of such surveillance tools, anticipating key informatics challenges related to user needs and requirements, functional specifications, system and software architecture, data standards, and interoperability. This framework will also document the types of available VBD data, outline the technical infrastructure necessary for an integrated surveillance database, and define stakeholder-defined functionality. Additional emphasis will be placed on development, testing, and implementation processes, as well as assessment strategies to evaluate usability, predictive accuracy, and public health impact. Finally, the review will identify barriers and facilitators to adoption while considering ethical, legal, and social implications relevant to integrated health-climate surveillance systems.