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Enhanced Influenza Surveillance using Telephone Triage Data in the VA ESSENCE Biosurveillance System

Description

Telephone triage is a relatively new data source available to biosurveillance systems.1-2Because early detection and warning is a high priority, many biosurveillance systems have begun to collect and analyze data from non-traditional sources [absenteeism records, overthe-counter drug sales, electronic laboratory reporting, internet searches (e.g. Google Flu Trends) and TT]. These sources may provide disease activity alerts earlier than conventional sources. Little is known about whether VA telephone program influenza data correlates with established influenza biosurveillance.

Objective:

To evaluate the utility and timeliness of telephone triage (TT) for influenza surveillance in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Submitted by Magou on