Surveillance of influenza-like illness in Belgian nursing homes

Jans, Béatrice; Latour, Katrien; Broex, Elisabeth; Catry, Boudewijn

doi:10.1186/0778-7367-68-3-100

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…Belgium was fortunate to benefit from already existing public health networks and collaborations set up for different purposes, including surveillance and outbreak management of infectious diseases in NH [ 39 ]. In addition, during the last decade, several point prevalence studies on healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use have been conducted [ 40 - 42 ]; since the 2009/10 influenza season, a surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) has been implemented in Belgian NH [ 43 ]. Finally, in early 2020, an ILI surveillance project had been prepared and was ready to start but was paused when the COVID-19 epidemic began.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing an ad hoc COVID-19 mortality surveillance during the first epidemic wave in Belgium, 1 March to 21 June 2020

et al. 2021

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Background COVID-19-related mortality in Belgium has drawn attention for two reasons: its high level, and a good completeness in reporting of deaths. An ad hoc surveillance was established to register COVID-19 death numbers in hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCF) and the community. Belgium adopted broad inclusion criteria for the COVID-19 death notifications, also including possible cases, resulting in a robust correlation between COVID-19 and all-cause mortality. Aim To document and assess the COVID-19 mortality surveillance in Belgium. Methods We described the content and data flows of the registration and we assessed the situation as of 21 June 2020, 103 days after the first death attributable to COVID-19 in Belgium. We calculated the participation rate, the notification delay, the percentage of error detected, and the results of additional investigations. Results The participation rate was 100% for hospitals and 83% for nursing homes. Of all deaths, 85% were recorded within 2 calendar days: 11% within the same day, 41% after 1 day and 33% after 2 days, with a quicker notification in hospitals than in LTCF. Corrections of detected errors reduced the death toll by 5%. Conclusion Belgium implemented a rather complete surveillance of COVID-19 mortality, on account of a rapid investment of the hospitals and LTCF. LTCF could build on past experience of previous surveys and surveillance activities. The adoption of an extended definition of ‘COVID-19-related deaths’ in a context of limited testing capacity has provided timely information about the severity of the epidemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%