Introduction
Public health surveillance systems are digital tools and networks used to collect, track, and study health data. Think of them as a “radar” for the health world. They help doctors, scientists, and government leaders see where diseases are moving and who is getting sick. By gathering this information in one place, these systems can spot a small problem before it turns into a major emergency. They are used for everything from tracking the common flu to managing large-scale global health events. These tools make it possible to act quickly, save lives, and use hospital resources more effectively.
When choosing a surveillance system, it is important to look at how easily the tool can talk to other software and how well it works when the internet is slow. You also need to check if the data is safe and if the system is easy for local health workers to use without needing a computer degree. A good system should be flexible enough to track new types of health issues while remaining reliable enough for daily reporting. Finding a balance between advanced technology and simple, everyday usability is the goal for most organizations.
Best for: These tools are most helpful for government health departments, large non-profit organizations, and global health groups like the World Health Organization. They are also vital for hospital networks and researchers who need to monitor disease trends across large populations. Public health officers and data scientists use them to turn raw numbers into clear plans for action.
Not ideal for: These systems are usually not needed for small, private medical clinics that only see a few patients a day. They might also be too complex for a single researcher working on a small, one-time project. In those cases, a simple spreadsheet or a basic patient record system is often much better and less expensive than a full-scale surveillance platform.
Top 10 Public Health Surveillance Systems Tools
1 — DHIS2
DHIS2 is a very popular open-source platform used by many countries to manage their health data. It is designed to work at a national level, helping governments keep track of everything from child vaccines to malaria cases. This tool is built to be a complete package for collecting, analyzing, and showing data in a way that is easy to understand. It is often the first choice for large-scale public health programs because it is free to use and can be changed to fit any specific need.
The software is incredibly flexible, allowing users to create their own forms and reports without needing to write any code. It also has a strong mobile app that works offline, which is great for health workers in remote villages where the internet is not always available. Because it has been around for a long time, there are many people who know how to use it, making it easier to find help or training. It truly acts as a bridge between the data collected in the field and the decisions made in government offices.
Key features:
- A powerful dashboard that shows data using colorful charts and maps.
- Mobile apps for Android that allow health workers to enter data while traveling.
- The ability to work offline and sync data once a connection is found.
- Tools for tracking individual patients over a long period.
- Automatic alerts that send a message when a disease starts to spread too fast.
- A system that lets different types of software share information with each other.
Pros:
- It is completely free to download and use because it is open-source.
- There is a massive global community of users who share tips and fixes.
- It can handle huge amounts of data from an entire country without slowing down.
- The system is very easy to customize for different types of health programs.
Cons:
- Setting up the system for the first time can be very difficult and takes a lot of time.
- It requires a strong server and a tech team to keep it running smoothly.
- The interface can feel a bit overwhelming for new users because there are so many options.
Security & compliance: This system uses high-level encryption and secure login methods to keep patient data safe. It is designed to help countries stay in line with data privacy laws and can be configured to meet strict standards like GDPR.
Support & community: There is a very active online forum and a dedicated academy where people can learn how to use the software. Many organizations around the world provide professional help and training for this tool.
2 — SORMAS
SORMAS stands for Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System. It is a tool specifically built to handle outbreaks and manage how health teams respond to them. Unlike some general health tools, SORMAS focuses on the actual work of “contact tracing”—finding people who might have been exposed to a disease and checking on them. It is designed to be used by many different people at once, like lab workers, doctors, and health officials, so they can all see the same information in real time.
The tool is very effective at visualizing how an infection moves from one person to another through “infection chains.” This helps leaders understand exactly how a disease is spreading and where they need to send more help. It is built to be very user-friendly on tablets and phones, making it a favorite for teams working on the front lines of an emergency. By focusing on action and response, SORMAS helps turn raw data into a clear map for stopping a disease in its tracks.
Key features:
- Special tools for contact tracing that help workers follow up with people daily.
- Real-time dashboards that show where new cases are appearing on a map.
- A dedicated module for laboratory results so tests can be tracked quickly.
- The ability to work on mobile devices even without an internet connection.
- Automated tasks that remind health workers when they need to check on a patient.
- A “One Health” approach that can track diseases in both humans and animals.
Pros:
- It is excellent for managing the actual steps of an outbreak response.
- The mobile app is very simple and easy for field workers to learn quickly.
- It allows for very fast communication between labs and health officers.
- The software is open-source, meaning there are no expensive license fees.
Cons:
- It is more focused on outbreaks and might not be as good for general hospital management.
- Larger installations require a good deal of technical knowledge to maintain.
- It may need to be integrated with other systems to see the “full picture” of national health.
Security & compliance: SORMAS is built with privacy in mind and follows strict European data protection rules. It uses secure data storage and allows administrators to control exactly who can see which pieces of information.
Support & community: The SORMAS Foundation provides a lot of documentation and support for new users. There is a growing group of developers and health experts who contribute to making the software better every day.
3 — Epi Info
Epi Info is a classic tool created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a suite of free software tools designed specifically for public health professionals and epidemiologists. It is famous for being simple enough for one person to use on their own laptop but powerful enough to handle complex disease studies. Many people use it to create quick surveys, enter data, and then run advanced math to see if there is a pattern in who is getting sick.
What makes Epi Info special is its focus on the “investigation” side of health. If a group of people at a wedding gets sick, a health officer can quickly build a form in Epi Info to ask everyone what they ate. The tool can then automatically calculate which food was likely the cause. It has been a trusted companion for health “detectives” for many decades. It doesn’t require a constant internet connection or a big server, which makes it perfect for quick field work.
Key features:
- A “Form Designer” that lets you create surveys just by dragging and dropping.
- A “Check Code” feature that prevents mistakes while data is being entered.
- Advanced math tools for calculating risks and identifying disease causes.
- Mapping features that show case locations on a digital map.
- Mobile apps for both Android and iOS for collecting data on the move.
- A visual dashboard that creates charts and tables with just a few clicks.
Pros:
- It is completely free and developed by one of the world’s top health agencies.
- It works very well on a single computer without needing a big IT setup.
- The data analysis tools are specifically built for the needs of epidemiologists.
- It is very easy to learn for people who are already familiar with basic computers.
Cons:
- It is not designed to be a national-level database for an entire country.
- The interface can look a bit old-fashioned compared to modern web apps.
- It lacks some of the real-time sharing features found in newer cloud-based tools.
Security & compliance: Since it runs mostly on local computers, the security depends a lot on the user’s own device. However, it does include features to encrypt data and protect patient names during analysis.
Support & community: The CDC provides extensive manuals and video tutorials for the software. There is also a large community of users who have been using the tool for years and are happy to help others.
4 — Go.Data
Go.Data is a specialized tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. It was created to help teams manage outbreaks more efficiently, with a big focus on contact tracing and how diseases spread through a community. It is designed to be very flexible, so it can be used for many different types of illnesses, from respiratory viruses to more rare diseases. The tool is meant to be the “go-to” choice for emergency response teams who need to start working immediately.
The platform is very good at showing how different cases are linked together. This “contact graph” helps health workers see who is at the center of an outbreak. It is built to work in places where the internet is not reliable, allowing teams to sync their data whenever they get back to a base with a connection. Because it comes from the WHO, it is designed to work well with global health standards and is often used during international emergencies to make sure everyone is collecting data the same way.
Key features:
- A focus on case investigation and following up with contacts.
- Visual maps and charts that show how an outbreak is growing over time.
- The ability to link cases, contacts, and laboratory samples in one view.
- A mobile app that is optimized for fast data entry in the field.
- Multi-language support so it can be used by teams all over the world.
- Easy export options so data can be moved into other analysis tools.
Pros:
- It is backed by the WHO, ensuring it follows international health standards.
- The tool is very focused on the specific needs of outbreak responders.
- It is lightweight and can be set up quickly during a sudden crisis.
- The contact tracing features are among the best available for free.
Cons:
- It is a specialized tool and might not be useful for everyday hospital tasks.
- The community of users is smaller than some older, more general tools.
- Setting up the server correctly still requires some technical expertise.
Security & compliance: Go.Data includes robust security features like user roles, which ensure that only authorized people can see sensitive patient names. It is built to respect data privacy and keep information secure during transit.
Support & community: The WHO offers a variety of training materials and an online community for users. There are also experts available to help countries deploy the tool during an actual emergency.
5 — CommCare
CommCare is a platform developed by a company called Dimagi. It is widely known for being one of the most powerful and reliable tools for frontline health workers. While it can be used for many things, it is an excellent surveillance tool because it helps workers collect data at the community level. It is designed around the idea of “digital job aids,” which guide a health worker through a patient visit step-by-step to make sure no important questions are missed.
The system is famous for being very “offline-first.” This means it is built to work perfectly without any internet, which is essential for health workers visiting remote homes. It can handle complex logic, like telling a worker to “Check the patient’s temperature” only if they answered “Yes” to having a fever. Because it is so reliable, it is used by thousands of health programs around the world to track everything from pregnancy health to infectious diseases in real time.
Key features:
- A “no-code” app builder that lets anyone design their own mobile forms.
- Deep offline capabilities that allow for weeks of work without internet.
- Case management features that let you track a person’s health over many years.
- Support for audio, images, and videos within the mobile forms.
- Powerful reporting tools that show how workers are performing in the field.
- The ability to send SMS reminders to patients automatically.
Pros:
- It is extremely reliable and rarely crashes, even on cheap mobile phones.
- The step-by-step guidance helps less-trained workers provide better care.
- It is very easy to build and change apps without needing a programmer.
- It has been tested in some of the most difficult environments on earth.
Cons:
- While there is a free version, the most powerful features require a paid subscription.
- It can become expensive for very large organizations with thousands of users.
- Analyzing the data often requires exporting it to a different tool.
Security & compliance: CommCare is built to meet very high security standards, including HIPAA and GDPR. It uses strong encryption and gives administrators fine-grained control over who can access patient data.
Support & community: Dimagi provides professional support for paid users and has a wealth of online documentation. There is also a large community of “CommCare Users” who share their app designs and advice.
6 — OpenMRS
OpenMRS is an “Open Medical Record System.” While its main job is to help hospitals keep track of patient files, it is also a very powerful tool for public health surveillance. Because it stores detailed information about every patient visit, it can be used to spot trends across a whole population. For example, if many patients start showing up with a specific rash, an OpenMRS system can alert the health department that something unusual is happening in that neighborhood.
The tool is built by a global community of developers and is used in many countries. It is designed to be a “platform,” meaning you can add different “modules” to it. Some modules are specifically for tracking HIV, others are for TB, and some are for surveillance. This makes it very flexible. It is a great choice for places that want to combine their daily hospital work with their disease tracking goals so that doctors don’t have to enter the same data into two different systems.
Key features:
- A complete system for managing patient records and medical history.
- A modular design that lets you add new features as you need them.
- Support for international medical standards like HL7 and FHIR.
- Tools for managing lab results and pharmacy orders in one place.
- A large library of pre-built forms for common health issues.
- Reporting tools that can aggregate data for national health reports.
Pros:
- It combines clinical care and public health tracking in one single tool.
- The software is open-source and free to download.
- It has a very large and helpful global community of experts.
- It is highly customizable and can be translated into many languages.
Cons:
- It is a very complex system that requires professional IT staff to manage.
- The initial setup and training for hospital staff can take a long time.
- It might be “too much” for an organization that only wants to do simple surveillance.
Security & compliance: OpenMRS includes features for secure user logins and audit logs, which track who looked at a patient’s record. It is designed to help hospitals comply with local and international health privacy laws.
Support & community: There is a massive online community with forums, wikis, and regular meetings. Many non-profits and companies also offer professional support and hosting for the software.
7 — EIOS
EIOS stands for Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources. It is a unique system led by the WHO that focuses on “early warning.” Instead of waiting for a doctor to file a report, EIOS scans the internet for signs of a new health threat. It looks at news reports, social media, and official websites from all over the world to find clues about a possible outbreak. This allows health officials to hear about a problem days or even weeks before it would normally show up in official numbers.
The system uses advanced technology to filter through millions of pieces of information and highlight what is actually important. It can even translate news from different languages so a health officer in one country can see what is happening in another. EIOS is not about managing patients; it is about “knowing what is happening.” It is a vital tool for staying ahead of the next big global health event and helping countries prepare before a disease even crosses their borders.
Key features:
- Automated scanning of news and official reports in many different languages.
- Advanced filters that help users find specific diseases or regions.
- Collaboration tools that let health experts from different countries share notes.
- Email alerts that notify users when a new threat is detected.
- Dashboards that show the “buzz” around different health topics globally.
- Integration with other WHO tools for a more complete picture of global health.
Pros:
- It provides the earliest possible warning about new health threats.
- It saves hours of work by doing the manual searching for you.
- It helps health officials see a global view rather than just their own country.
- It is a collaborative effort, meaning many experts are looking at the same data.
Cons:
- It can sometimes find “false alarms” that turn out not to be real outbreaks.
- It requires a good internet connection and specialized training to use effectively.
- Access to the full system is usually limited to official health agencies.
Security & compliance: EIOS handles mostly public information, but it also includes secure areas for health officials to share sensitive assessments. It follows strict international standards for data sharing and cooperation.
Support & community: The WHO manages the EIOS community and provides training and support for member countries. There is a strong network of “intelligence officers” who work together through the platform.
8 — KoboToolbox
KoboToolbox is a suite of tools for field data collection, used heavily in humanitarian emergencies and public health. It was developed by a team at Harvard and is now a favorite for many non-profits because it is so easy to use. While it is a general data collection tool, it is widely used for health surveillance because you can build a survey in minutes and send people out to collect data on their phones. It is particularly good for one-time assessments or quick “snapshot” surveys.
One of the best things about KoboToolbox is how simple the interface is. You can design your forms in a web browser using a visual editor that feels like making a basic document. Once the data is collected, it automatically creates simple charts and maps so you can see the results immediately. It is an “all-in-one” solution for organizations that need to gather information quickly and don’t have a lot of time for complicated software training or server setups.
Key features:
- An easy-to-use form builder that works in any web browser.
- A mobile app that allows for offline data collection in the field.
- Support for capturing GPS locations, photos, and even signatures.
- Automatic data visualization that creates maps and charts instantly.
- The ability to share your surveys with others using a simple link.
- A system that can handle thousands of submissions without any issues.
Pros:
- It is very easy to set up and requires almost no technical training.
- The “Enketo” feature allows people to fill out surveys in a web browser.
- It is free for humanitarian and non-profit organizations.
- The mapping features are excellent and very easy to use.
Cons:
- It is not as good for tracking a single patient over a long period of time.
- It lacks the advanced “outbreak response” features of SORMAS or Go.Data.
- The free version has limits on how much data you can store.
Security & compliance: KoboToolbox allows you to encrypt your data so that only you can read it. It is widely used by major humanitarian groups and meets many standard requirements for secure data collection.
Support & community: There is a very active support forum where users help each other. The KoboToolbox team also provides extensive guides and documentation on their website.
9 — Ona
Ona is a data platform that helps organizations collect and analyze information from the field. It is built on top of the same technology as KoboToolbox but offers more advanced features for organizations that need to manage complex projects. It is frequently used for mapping disease outbreaks and tracking where health resources are located. Ona is particularly strong at “spatial data”—showing exactly where things are happening on a very detailed map.
The platform is designed to be a “central hub” for all your data. You can connect it to other tools, like spreadsheets or advanced mapping software, to create a very custom workflow. It is a great choice for teams that want a tool that is easy to use for field workers but also has the “pipes” to connect to professional data analysis systems. It helps turn simple survey results into high-quality maps that leaders can use to decide where to send vaccines or medicine.
Key features:
- A robust mobile app for collecting data offline in the field.
- Advanced mapping tools that can show data in layers (like “cases” on top of “hospitals”).
- An API that makes it easy to connect Ona to other software.
- Tools for managing large teams and seeing who collected which data.
- Support for complex surveys with many sections and rules.
- Real-time data syncing that updates your maps as soon as a worker has internet.
Pros:
- The mapping and visualization features are very professional and detailed.
- It is a very stable and reliable platform for large projects.
- The interface is clean and easy for most people to navigate.
- It offers great flexibility for organizations with custom data needs.
Cons:
- The advanced features usually require a paid monthly subscription.
- It can be a bit more complex to set up than the basic KoboToolbox.
- It doesn’t have built-in medical logic, so you have to design your own forms carefully.
Security & compliance: Ona takes security very seriously and offers features like two-factor authentication and data encryption. It is designed to help organizations manage sensitive field data safely.
Support & community: Ona provides dedicated support for its paid users and has a wealth of technical documentation. They also offer consulting services to help organizations set up their data systems.
10 — IHIP
IHIP stands for Integrated Health Information Platform. It is a massive, national-level system designed to be the backbone of disease surveillance in large countries. It is built to replace old, paper-based reporting with a modern digital system that works in real time. Because it is designed for a huge scale, it can handle thousands of reports every day from every corner of a nation. It is often the primary tool used by national health ministries to keep an eye on dozens of different diseases at once.
The platform is unique because it tries to bring everything into one place: hospital reports, laboratory results, and field investigations. This “integrated” approach means that a health official doesn’t have to look at five different websites to see what is happening. They can see a single dashboard that tells them everything they need to know. It is a highly specialized system that shows how technology can be used to manage the health of hundreds of millions of people at once.
Key features:
- Real-time reporting of over 30 different epidemic-prone diseases.
- A single dashboard that combines data from many different levels of government.
- Mobile apps that allow health workers to report cases instantly.
- Automated alerts that flag “unusual events” for further investigation.
- Geographic mapping that shows disease clusters in real time.
- Integration with national laboratory systems for faster test results.
Pros:
- It provides a truly “integrated” view of national health.
- The real-time nature of the system allows for very fast responses.
- It is designed to be used by many different types of health workers.
- It can handle an incredibly large amount of data without crashing.
Cons:
- It is a government-level tool and is not available for small private groups.
- Implementing it across an entire country is a massive and difficult task.
- It requires a very strong and stable national IT infrastructure.
Security & compliance: IHIP is built with high-level government security standards. It uses secure servers and strict access controls to ensure that patient data is protected at a national scale.
Support & community: Support for IHIP is typically managed by the national government’s health ministry. There are dedicated teams that provide training and technical help to all health workers using the system.
Comparison Table
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Standout Feature | Rating |
| DHIS2 | National health data | Web, Android | Total customization | N/A |
| SORMAS | Outbreak management | Web, Android | Infection chain maps | N/A |
| Epi Info | Field investigations | Windows, Android, iOS | Epidemiology math tools | N/A |
| Go.Data | Contact tracing | Web, Android, iOS | WHO-backed standards | N/A |
| CommCare | Frontline workers | Web, Android | Superior offline logic | N/A |
| OpenMRS | Hospital surveillance | Web | Clinical integration | N/A |
| EIOS | Early warning | Web | Global news scanning | N/A |
| KoboToolbox | Quick field surveys | Web, Android | Easiest form builder | N/A |
| Ona | Disease mapping | Web, Android | Advanced spatial maps | N/A |
| IHIP | Massive national scale | Web, Android | Fully integrated data | N/A |
Evaluation & Scoring of Public Health Surveillance Systems
| Category | Weight (%) | Evaluation Focus |
| Core features | 25% | Ability to track cases, trace contacts, and map outbreaks. |
| Ease of use | 15% | How quickly field workers and officers can learn the tool. |
| Integrations | 15% | Ability to share data with labs and other health software. |
| Security | 10% | Encryption, user roles, and privacy law compliance. |
| Performance | 10% | Offline reliability and speed under heavy data loads. |
| Support | 10% | Quality of manuals, training, and community forums. |
| Price / value | 15% | Cost vs. features (many tools are free/open-source). |
Which Public Health Surveillance System Tool Is Right for You?
Choosing the right tool is like choosing the right vehicle: a single doctor’s office might only need a simple “bicycle,” while a whole country needs a “giant bus.” If you are a solo researcher or working with a small team, KoboToolbox or Epi Info are often the best choices. They are free, easy to set up on a single computer or phone, and don’t require you to be a tech expert. You can start collecting data in a few hours without any complex server setup.
For larger organizations or governments with more resources, the choice often depends on your main goal. If your primary focus is managing a fast-moving outbreak and tracing contacts, SORMAS or Go.Data are the top contenders. They were built exactly for that purpose and have specialized tools that help you follow the spread of a disease. If you need a permanent, national-level system to track every health program in your country, DHIS2 is the global leader and is used by over 70 nations for a reason.
Budget is also a big factor. Most of the tools on this list are open-source and free to download. However, “free” doesn’t mean “no cost.” You still need to pay for servers, internet, and the people to manage the system. CommCare and Ona are great if you want a professional team to handle the technical side for you, but they will charge a fee. On the other hand, OpenMRS is wonderful if you want to connect your surveillance directly to the care patients receive in hospitals. Always consider how much technical help you have available before picking a more complex system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly is a public health surveillance system?
It is a digital platform used to gather and analyze health data. These systems help health leaders spot disease outbreaks, track how many people are sick, and plan how to help them. They turn raw health numbers into a clear “map” for action.
Are these tools difficult for non-technical workers to use?
Some are very simple, like KoboToolbox, which feels like using a basic smartphone app. Others, like DHIS2 or OpenMRS, are much more complex and require several days of training for the average health worker to use them correctly and effectively.
Do these systems work if there is no internet?
Yes, many of these tools are designed specifically for “offline-first” use. Workers can enter patient data in remote areas on their phones, and the information will automatically send to the central server as soon as the phone connects to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
How do these systems keep patient information private?
Most use high-level encryption and “user roles.” This means a data entry clerk might only see a patient ID number, while only a doctor or a senior officer can see the patient’s actual name. They are built to follow international privacy rules.
Which tool is best for contact tracing?
SORMAS and Go.Data are widely considered the best for contact tracing. They have specific features that help workers remember who they need to call each day and visualize how the disease is moving from person to person.
Can these tools be used for animal health too?
Yes, some tools like SORMAS follow a “One Health” approach. This means they can track diseases in both animals and humans at the same time, which is very important for stopping diseases that jump from animals to people.
How much do these systems usually cost?
Many of the best tools are open-source and free to download. However, you will still need a budget for things like training, server hosting, and technical support. Paid tools like CommCare offer more “ready-to-go” service but charge a subscription fee.
Can one system talk to another system?
Yes, most modern tools use something called an “API.” This is like a special bridge that allows data to flow automatically from one tool (like a lab system) to another (like a national dashboard) without someone having to type it in twice.
What is the most common mistake when picking a tool?
The most common mistake is picking a system that is too complex for the local team to manage. It is better to use a simple tool that everyone understands than a “perfect” system that is so hard to use that people stop entering data.
How long does it take to set up a national system?
Setting up a national-level system like DHIS2 or IHIP can take months or even years. It involves not just installing software, but also training thousands of people and making sure every clinic has the right devices to report their data.
Conclusion
Public health surveillance is one of the most important jobs in the modern world. Without these systems, we would be “flying blind” whenever a new disease starts to spread. Whether you are using a simple tool like KoboToolbox for a quick study or a massive system like DHIS2 to run a national health program, the goal is always the same: to get the right information to the right people at the right time. By choosing a tool that is easy to use and reliable, you can ensure that your data actually leads to better health for everyone.
The “best” tool really depends on what you need to do today. If you need something simple that works without internet, go with CommCare or KoboToolbox. If you are fighting an active outbreak, look at SORMAS or Go.Data. And if you are building the future of a country’s health infrastructure, DHIS2 is often the way to go. No matter which you choose, remember that the most important part of any system isn’t the software itself—it is the people who use it to make decisions that save lives and protect communities.