Within the syndromic surveillance literature there are acknowledged gaps with respect to penetration of syndromic surveillance systems and standard or promising practices for response. The lack of adequate data and evidence-based policy recommendations on response is especially concerning because syndromic surveillance systems are only as useful as the timely pubic health response launched after aberration detection. We undertook the first step of a multi-phase study, with the global objectives of describing existing infrastructure in responding to alerts generated by syndromic surveillance systems and creating response guidance materials for public health practitioners. The preliminary findings contained here describe syndromic surveillance systems in use throughout the United States, future plans related to the use of such systems, and basic information regarding how outbreak response is initiated. This cataloging of systems complements work currently underway by the International Society for Disease Surveillance directed towards developing a comprehensive registry of syndromic surveillance systems.
Objective
We aim to describe current syndromic surveillance systems in use throughout the U.S. and approaches to initiating an outbreak response as reported by survey participants.