AI-Assisted Bacterial Genome Analysis for Outbreak Detection

PulseNet 2.0 is a suite of bioinformatics tools used by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to sequence, classify, and cluster bacterial genomes from foodborne illness cases. It helps public health laboratories identify whether cases of foodborne disease are genetically related, potentially indicating a common outbreak source. Results are shared with epidemiologists who may initiate restaurant inspections, closures, or food recalls. No personally identifying information about patients is collected or disclosed by the system.