The term biosurveillance means the process of active data-gathering with appropriate analysis and interpretation of biosphere data that might relate to disease activity and threats to human or animal health - whether infectious, toxic, metabolic, or otherwise, and regardless of intentional or natural origin - in order to achieve early warning of health threats, early detection of health events, and overall situational awareness of disease activity. (White House, HSPD 21, October 18, 2007)