The SAGES (Suite for Automated Global Electronic bioSurveillance) team at the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory was approached by the Public Health Division of the Research, Evidence and Information Programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to explore the feasibility of using the SAGES disease surveillance toolkit for two mass gathering events, the 8th Micronesian Games held from 19-31 July in Pohnpei Federated States of Micronesia and the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held from 1-4 September 2014 in Apia Samoa.
Mass gatherings are congregations of large numbers of people in a specific location(s) for a defined period of time such as major sporting events, concerts and festivals. A downside of these gatherings is the potential for communicable/infectious diseases to spread efficiently and rapidly. Infected individuals may subsequently return home and disseminate these infections in their local populations.
The Pacific syndromic surveillance system commenced in 2010. Enhanced syndromic surveillance is increasingly being used in mass gatherings. This involves inclusion of more syndromes and more regular reporting than routine syndromic surveillance. While enhanced syndromic surveillance is an important mechanism at mass gatherings, also, and somewhat opportunistically, mass gatherings can provide a unique chance to initiate or strengthen existing surveillance systems.
Objective
Present how a surveillance tool such as SAGES was used for disease surveillance for mass gathering activities.