The U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Surveillance Project: Establishing Binational Border Surveillance

Abstract

In 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mexican Secretariat of Health, and border health officials began the development of the Border Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) project, a surveillance system for infectious diseases along the U.S.-Mexico border. During a 3-year period, a binational team implemented an active, sentinel surveillance system for hepatitis and febrile exanthems at 13 clinical sites. The network developed surveillance protocols, trained nine surveillance coordinators, established serologic testing at four Mexican border laboratories, and created agreements for data sharing and notification of selected diseases and outbreaks. BIDS facilitated investigations of dengue fever in Texas-Tamaulipas and measles in California–Baja California. BIDS demonstrates that a binational effort with local, state, and federal participation can create a regional surveillance system that crosses an international border. Reducing administrative, infrastructure, and political barriers to cross-border public health collaboration will enhance the effectiveness of disease prevention projects such as BIDS.

Epidemiology and Outcome of Severe Hepatitis A Infection in Children in Kuwait

“…The peak incidence of HAV infection in September and October could be due to importation of the infection by returnees from endemic areas (other Arab countries) to the country at the end of summer vacation. Apparently, these individuals act as a signifi cant source of HAV infection in Kuwait similar to what was described by Weinberg et al [13] with importation of HAV infection across the US-Mexican border.…”

Tuberculosis transmission across the United States-Mexico border

“…Despite some focus at the turn of the millennium on TB transmission across the U.S.-Mexico border, such as establishment of the 1997 U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) project (28) and the 1999 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention working group (29), activity on the issue seems to have diminished in recent years. BIDS does not collect data for TB disease, and since the dynamics of the border area are so active, more thought is needed to improve policy for health security.…”

Towards Effective Emerging Infectious Diseases Surveillance: Evidence from Kenya, Peru, Thailand, and the U.S.­-Mexico Border

“…107 In addition to EWIDS, the BIDS project, a "surveillance system for infectious diseases along the U.S.--Mexico border," was established in 1997. 108 BIDS has been useful in improving geographical hurdles. The challenge with the U.S.--Mexico region is that it borders cities, "which [serve] as corridors for bi--national transmission of infectious diseases."…”

“…The goal was to bridge the surveillance gap between epidemiological institutions in different countries. 110 Since its initiation, BIDS has earned a reputation as a potent force against the proliferation of viruses such as measles, rubella, hepatitis A, B, and E, and febrile exanthem. • Establishing a database directory of laboratories…”