A Surveillance Model for Human Avian Influenza with a Comprehensive Surveillance System for Local-Priority Communicable Diseases in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The government of Indonesia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency launched a three-year project (2008–2011) to strengthen the surveillance of human avian influenza cases through a comprehensive surveillance system of local-priority communicable diseases in South Sulawesi Province. Based on findings from preliminary and baseline surveys, the project developed a technical protocol for surveillance and response activities in local settings, consistent with national guidelines. District surveillance officers (DSOs) and rapid-response-team members underwent training to improve surveillance and response skills. A network-based early warning and response system for weekly reports and a short message service (SMS) gateway for outbreak reports, both encompassing more than 20 probable outbreak diseases, were introduced to support existing paper-based systems. Two further strategies were implemented to optimize project outputs: a simulation exercise and a DSO-centered model. As a result, the timeliness of weekly reports improved from 33% in 2009 to 82% in 2011. In 2011, 65 outbreaks were reported using the SMS, with 64 subsequent paper-based reports. All suspected human avian influenza outbreaks up to September 2011 were reported in the stipulated format. A crosscutting approach using human avian influenza as the core disease for coordinating surveillance activities improved the overall surveillance system for communicable diseases.

Survey of Communicable Diseases Surveillance System in Hospitals of Iran: A Qualitative Approach

“…Slowness of non-electronic reporting system would make it difficult to analyze the information ( Nnebue, Onwasigwe, Ibeh, & Adogu, 2013 ). Development of electronic systems can be used as quick, efficient, effective and affordable tools for this purpose ( Hanafusa et al, 2012 ; Turner, Reeder, & Ramey, 2013 ). In this study, the expert believed that, one of the weaknesses of the hospital surveillance system is the unavailability of a comprehensive electronic network in health system.…”

“…Develop clear job duties for clinical staff of hospitals and the person who is responsible for communicable disease reporting, as well as training courses in cooperation with the various sectors of health system can be effective to eliminate these obstacles and problems ( Perry et al, 2007 ; Yoo et al, 2009 ; Tan, Chang, Tseng, & Lin, 2007 ; Hanafusa et al, 2012 ; Dixon, Grannis, & Revere, 2013 ; Karami & Abedini, 2012 ). In Iran, even though, there is a general guideline for surveillance and reporting of communicable diseases, but in the case of hospitals, which have unique properties, it isn’t considered distinct guideline and followed the same general guidelines.…”

“…Because of the importance and impact of communicable diseases, as well as their diverse distribution, regulations in national and international level for communicable disease surveillance and reporting have been designed and described ( Yoo et al, 2009 ; Hanafusa et al, 2012 ; Reintjes, Thelen, & Reiche, 2007 ). In Iran, similar to other countries, the purposes of surveillance and reporting system, list of diseases and the type of reporting, reporting sources and legal obligation of reporting have been identified ( Tabatabai, Ahmad nia, GHotbi, & Rahimi, 2006 ).…”

Impact of Epidemiological Publications among Health Professionals in Disease Surveillance – Experience from Jaffna, Sri Lanka

“…Surveillance data generated through these systems are used for making policy decisions, identifying priority issues, planning and implementing surveillance programmes and allocating funds and resource in relation to communicable disease prevention and control (Calain, 2007). Further, in the present context it is much used in prediction and early detection of outbreaks (Hanafusa et al, 2012;Tambo et al, 2014). Several evaluation studies on existing communicable disease surveillance systems have been reported (Green and Kaufman, 2002;Jajosky and Groseclose, 2004;Janati et al, 2015;Thacker et al, 1983).…”

“…Among these, surveillance systems for infectious diseases are critical in protecting the people from diseases, by providing necessary surveillance data for timely action (Jelastopulu et al, 2010;Kebede et al, 2011;Perry et al, 2007). Besides, newly emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and its consequences also reveal the significance of such systems (Calain, 2007;Hanafusa et al, 2012;Tambo et al, 2014).…”