The epidemiology of foodborne diseases is changing rapidly, and bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella serotype Typhimirium definitive type 104, unrecognized 20 years ago, are of great concern today. Other well-recognized pathogens such as Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are increasing in prevalence or spreading by new vehicles of transmission. Changes in food production, consumption, and distribution have resulted foodborne disease outbreaks that are often scattered over many states. A continuing challenge is to develop surveillance systems in which organisms can be subtyped rapidly and clusters identified so that dispersed outbreaks can be rapidly detected and controlled. The National Salmonella Surveillance System (NSSS) at CDC has been collecting data on laboratory- confirmed Salmonella isolates from public health laboratories since 1962. Since 1990 data have been reported electronically using an electronic surveillance tool, PHLIS (Public Health Laboratory Information System). The Salmonella Outbreak Detection Algorithm (SODA), an outbreak detection tool available with PHLIS, is used to detect unusual clusters of Salmonella by serotype, location and date. NSSS has been useful for detecting widespread multistate outbreaks, characterizing the etiologic agents and providing a basis on which national trends can be analyzed. However, a systematic evaluation of this system would be timely and informative for developing additional tools for identifying emerging infections. An evaluation, currently in progress, attempts to address this issue by assessing the system for its sensitivity, timeliness, validity, acceptability and simplicity. Salmonella data reported in 1999 will be analyzed using methodology outlined in the 1998 CDC published report: Guidelines for Evaluating Surveillance Systems.
Learning Objectives: 1)Recognize the importance of laboratory surveillance and outbreak detection tools for the identification and prevention of emerging infections, including Salmonella. 2).List and operationally define five attributes used for evaluating surveillance systems. 3).Describe the factors influencing the effectiveness of a laboratory surveillance system
Keywords: Surveillance, Emerging Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.