Abel Kelbessa

Scientific Research
June 15th, 2020

How can we use Phyton, Data Science, and Machine Learning to store medical data,
analyze, and predict initial stages of an Epidemic?

Abstract

The use of Machine Learning and Data Science makes detection and identification of diseases
easy for hospitals that do not have access to proper testing materials. The algorithm would
analyze the pre-recorded data that would be used to predict future outbreaks.

Introduction

In the past decade, there have been numerous Epidemics. For instance, Ebola, Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Cholera, and the recent COVID-19 Pandemic
(Top Infectious News Stories of the Decade 2010-2019). Identifying some of these diseases was
straightforward; however, other diseases like COVID-19 mimick illnesses such as the common
flu.

It can take up to a week to get results for COVID-19 testing. Making use of Machine Learning
and Data Science enables doctors to track and predict future Epidemics and Pandemics. The
stage of outbreak I am referring to here is an Epidemic.

Review of Literature
Tracking Diseases and Method

By making use of the pre-existing data collected through biosurveillance, which contains
Syndromic surveillance and Laboratory surveillance (Kman & Bachmann, 2012), and
storing it on a computer platform, we can easily access previous medical records and use the data
to make predictions (Jafarpour, Izadi, Precup, & Buckeridge, 2014).

Biosurveillance is the process of gathering medical data, analysis, interpretation, and

dissemination (Kman & Bachmann, 2012).

The data gathered from Biosurveillance processed through Data Science will provide meaning to
the data.
“Data science is the field of study that combines domain expertise, programming skills, and
knowledge of mathematics and statistics to extract meaningful insights from data” (Why Data
Science Is Important).

The processed data, now having meaning, will be converted to an output, which is the prediction
of an Epidemic, by making use of machine learning. Having a category for each disease that has
occurred will enable the machine to show a probability output from 0 to 1. Machine Learning is
a practical application of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn and interpret new
data to produce an output. The aim of machine learning is to automate the machine’s learning
process (What is Machine Learning? A definition 2020). This will enable doctors to input
medical data and the computer will produce output by itself without any assistance (What is
Machine Learning? A definition 2020).

The medical data I am referring to here is data from the ALA clinic and student’s medical
history here in ALA. I will be specifically taking a look at students’ stay at the academy.

(Data Processing)
Using this epidemiological data, predictions can be made just as simple as making a prediction
for a dice that will be rolled with enough work.

The core of machine learning is automation. This automation will allow the machine to learn and
understand new data. To put it in simple words, it is a form of auto-update (What is Machine
Learning? A definition 2020). Machine learning and Data Science go hand in hand. Data Science
contains data processing that converts data into meaningful information (Data Processing).

Storing Medical Data

For my research project, I will be using my Python and MySQL knowledge to create a database
that will easily be accessible. This database will be the base of the whole project.
Reference

1- Jafarpour, N., Izadi, M., Precup, D., & Buckeridge, D. (2014, November 06).
Quantifying the determinants of outbreak detection performance through simulation and
machine learning. Retrieved June 13, 2020, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S153204641400229

2- Kman, N., & Bachmann, D. (2012). Biosurveillance: A review and update. Retrieved
June 15, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3254002/

3-Top Infectious News Stories of the Decade 2010-2019. (2020, January 02). Retrieved June
15, 2020, from http://outbreaknewstoday.com/top-infectious-news-stories-of-the-decade-2010-
2019-2019/

(Top Infectious News Stories of the Decade 2010-2019)

4- What Is Data Science Definition: Learn Why Data Science Is Important. (n.d.). Retrieved
June 15, 2020, from https://www.datarobot.com/wiki/data-science/

5- What is Machine Learning? A definition. (2020, May 29). Retrieved June 16, 2020, from
https://expertsystem.com/machine-learning-definition/

6- Data Processing. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2020, from https://www.keyoung.hk/data-

processing/