Laboratories also need generic, rapid molecular typing systems for bacterial pathogens of nosocomial and public health significance. They need to develop the skills to use these tools and a good collection of key local pathogens on which their understanding of microbial population structure is based. Decimation is most likely to have its greatest impact where there is a close collaboration between the laboratory and the health authority. But most important of all is the intention to do something about all the data that is collected. Ultimately, decimation is more than just collecting the information.
Decimation is an active process with measurable results.
Properly speaking, decimation denotes a reduction by ten percent. In the interview referred to above Eco appears to use the term either to mean picking out ten percent, or reducing by ninety percent. When applied to infectious disease control, the possibility that the term could be used to mean both simultaneously is a delicious twist to the argument. Perhaps Professor Eco could enlighten us. Further reading Information retrieval.