New pandemic surveillance system relies on pets

Purdue University has created a new surveillance system that uses pets to provide an early warning system of a new pandemic or a possible bioterror attack. The program relies on a computerized database of veterinarian records to spot the emergency of symptoms consistent with a super-bug outbreak or attack. Researchers said that pets' faster metabolism makes them more likely to exhibit symptoms early, and a multitude of human ailments originate in household animals to begin with. 

- read this article from The Los Angeles Times for more