Applications of Syndromic Surveillance in Resource Poor Settings

Published date01 December 2011
AuthorJulia Baker,Elissa Test,Larissa May,Rebecca L. Katz
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.2202/1948-4682.1206
Date01 December 2011
Volume 3, Issue 4 • 2011 • Article 7
Applications of Syndromic Surveillance in Resource Poor
Settings
Larissa May, The George Washington University
Rebecca L. Katz, The George Washington University
Elissa Test, The George Washington University
Julia Baker, The George Washington University
May, Larissa; Katz, Rebecca L.; Test, Elissa; and Baker, Julia (2011) "Applications of Syndromic
Surveillance in Resource Poor Settings," World Medical & Health Policy: Vol. 3: Iss. 4, Article 7.
Available at: http://www.psocommons.org/wmhp/vol3/iss4/art7
DOI: 10.2202/1948-4682.1206
©2011 Policy Studies Organization
Applications of Syndromic Surveillance in
Resource Poor Settings
Larissa May, The George Washington University
Rebecca L. Katz, The George Washington University
Elissa Test, The George Washington University
Julia Baker, The George Washington University
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to demonstrate how syndromic surveillance systems are
being used in low-resource settings, to identify key best practices and considerations, and to
describe the use of syndromic surveillance as a feasible solution to meeting the disease surveillance
requirements in the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (2005).
Methods: Information on established syndromic surveillance systems was collected from
peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings and searches through reference lists of papers, from
the years 1998-2010. In addition, web pages of international health organizations, surveillance
networks, and Ministries of Health were explored. After reviewing identified systems, eight were
selected and examined in detail to extract transferable information.
Results: The literature demonstrates the many successful syndromic surveillance efforts
being implemented, and the variety of data sources, data transmission techniques, and analysis
methodologies being instituted. Frequently, syndromic surveillance systems are a coordinated effort
among several partners, supplement existing systems, incorporate both specific and non-specific
disease detection, and are used in conjunction with laboratory-based surveillance.
Conclusions: Though not without challenges, syndromic surveillance has the potential to
serve as a valuable disease detection tool in resource-limited settings. Further examination and
evaluation of these systems will benefit global disease surveillance capacity.
KEYWORDS: biosurveillance, epidemiology, developing countries, disease notification, disease
outbreaks, population surveillance, syndrome
Author Notes: This work was supported by a grant from The George Washington University
Medical Center Facilitating Fund. The sponsor had no role in the study beyond providing financial
support for researchers’ time. Conflicts of interest: None declared. Corresponding author: Larissa
May, MD, The George Washington University. Email: larissa@gwu.edu.

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