Dengue disease surveillance: an updated systematic literature review

Abstract

ObjectivesTo review the evidence for the application of tools for dengue outbreak prediction/detection and trend monitoring in passive and active disease surveillance systems in order to develop recommendations for endemic countries and identify important research needs.MethodsThis systematic literature review followed the protocol of a review from 2008, extending the systematic search from January 2007 to February 2013 on PubMed, EMBASE, CDSR, WHOLIS and Lilacs. Data reporting followed the PRISMA statement. The eligibility criteria comprised (i) population at risk of dengue, (ii) dengue disease surveillance, (iii) outcome of surveillance described and (iv) empirical data evaluated. The analysis classified studies based on the purpose of the surveillance programme. The main limitation of the review was expected publication bias.ResultsA total of 1116 papers were identified of which 36 articles were included in the review. Four cohort-based prospective studies calculated expansion factors demonstrating remarkable levels of underreporting in the surveillance systems. Several studies demonstrated that enhancement methods such as laboratory support, sentinel-based reporting and staff motivation contributed to improvements in dengue reporting. Additional improvements for passive surveillance systems are possible by incorporating simple data forms/entry/electronic-based reporting; defining clear system objectives; performing data analysis at the lowest possible level (e.g. district); seeking regular data feedback. Six studies showed that serotype changes were positively correlated with the number of reported cases or with dengue incidence, with lag times of up to 6 months. Three studies found that data on internet searches and event-based surveillance correlated well with the epidemic curve derived from surveillance data.ConclusionsPassive surveillance providing the baseline for outbreak alert should be strengthened and appropriate threshold levels for outbreak alerts investigated. Additional enhancement tools such as syndromic surveillance, laboratory support and motivation strategies can be added. Appropriate alert signals need to be identified and integrated into a risk assessment tool. Shifts in dengue serotypes/genotype or electronic event-based surveillance have also considerable potential as indicator in dengue surveillance. Further research on evidence-based response strategies and cost-effectiveness is needed.ObjectifsAnalyser les résultats de l'application d'outils pour la prédiction/détection des épidémies de dengue et la surveillance des tendances dans les systèmes de surveillance active et passive des maladies, afin d’élaborer des recommandations pour les pays endémiques et identifier les besoins importants de recherche.

Sentinel versus passive surveillance for measuring changes in dengue incidence: Evidence from three concurrent surveillance systems in Iquitos, Peru

“…While it is well-established that data from passive surveillance underestimate the incidence (in this study: the number of new symptomatic cases per 100,000 persons per month) of infectious diseases [5] including dengue [6], the nature of temporal variation in underdetection is less clear. Such variation could have significant public health implications if the meaning of surveillance-based incidence changes over time.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika and their Vector Aedes Aegypti in Villavicencio, Colombia

“…In some cases, religion can affect health processes in a negative way, leading to passive styles, in which people give the control of problems to a higher power [23]. Other problems derived from this situation are that most of the surveillance systems are based on passive detection of suspected cases (some without a correct diagnosis), cases without warning signs are generally sent back to their homes with just symptomatic medicinal treatment [24], and a lack of notification to the surveillance system. The case notification system is closely related to vector-control activities [4] and without an alert for a high number of cases, there is no vector-control intervention in the communities.…”

Dengue IgM antibody sero-status assessment: a current experience in a teaching institution

“…The problem gets further compounded by the observation that most of the data in Indian context is retrospective analyses based. 10,11 As per the current scenario, appropriate surveillance, strengthening laboratory services, introducing quality assurance, reviewing case definitions and studying correlational complexities with the hope of addition to the current guidelines, recommendations, or suggestions have become mandate of the day. 12 From laboratory diagnosis view point, it is worthwhile to know that experience reveals ELISA test as the most preferred for serological diagnosis because the IgM antibody persists for 60-90 days and there is a reasonable amount of sensitivity.…”