Syndromic Surveillance

New health indicator surveillance systems, such as those termed 'syndromic surveillance systems', are potentially more rapid and sensitive than traditional methods for detection of outbreaks or bioterrorism-related events. They monitor health care utilisation patterns, in real time, and rely on detecting case features that are discernable before laboratory diagnoses are confirmed. Reporting sources include emergency departments, laboratories, intensive care units, and hospital admission and discharge systems. However, they are surrogate markers and may introduce confounding factors and non-specific information noise into the outbreak 'signal'.

We have been developing new models of outbreak detection and risk assessment based on coordinated syndromic and laboratory diagnostic surveillance. Specific footprints for main epidemic syndromes are being developed and piloted in clinical setting as templates to trigger enhanced laboratory investigations. Generic modelling is used to document factors that affect the performance of early warning systems and optimise the effectiveness of control measures.