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Evaluation of alternative respiratory syndromes for specific syndromic surveillance of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus: a time series analysis

Authors :
Rogers Kris D
Ferson Mark J
Muscatello David J
Schindeler Suzanne K
Grant Paul
Churches Tim
Source :
BMC Infectious Diseases, Vol 9, Iss 1, p 190 (2009)
Publication Year :
2009
Publisher :
BMC, 2009.

Abstract

Abstract Background Syndromic surveillance is increasingly being evaluated for its potential for early warning of increased disease activity in the population. However, interpretation is hampered by the difficulty of attributing a causative pathogen. We described the temporal relationship between laboratory counts of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection and alternative groupings of Emergency Department (ED) respiratory diagnoses. Methods ED and laboratory data were obtained for the south-eastern area of Sydney, NSW for the period 1 June 2001 - 1 December 2006. Counts of ED visits and laboratory confirmed positive RSV and influenza cases were aggregated by week. Semi-parametric generalized additive models (GAM) were used to determine the association between the incidence of RSV and influenza and the incidence of respiratory syndrome ED presentations while controlling for temporal confounders. Results For every additional RSV laboratory count, ED diagnoses of bronchiolitis increased by 3.1% (95%CI: 2.7%-3.5%) in the same week. For every additional influenza laboratory count, ED diagnoses of influenza-like illness increased by 4.7% (95%CI: 4.2%-5.2%) one week earlier. Conclusion In this study, large increases in ED diagnoses of bronchiolitis and influenza-like illness were independent and proxy indicators for RSV and influenza activity, respectively.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14712334
Volume :
9
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
BMC Infectious Diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7bf47366a9c04e249aed091c5ee23ade
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-9-190