Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105688

Wendy N. Betancourt, MPH¹, Sarah Mack, MPH¹, Michael Osur, MBA¹, and Gary M. Feldman, MD². (1) Epidemiology and Program Evaluation Branch, Riverside County Department of Public Health, 4065 County Circle Drive, Riverside, CA 92503, 951-358-5557, wbetanco@co.riverside.ca.us, (2) Riverside County Community Health Agency, 4065 County Circle Drive, Riverside, CA 92503

Syndromic surveillance systems used in many cities across the United States have been developed in hospitals with the intent to detect naturally-occurring or bioterrorism-related disease outbreaks earlier than traditional public health reporting methods. Riverside County, CA has had a syndromic surveillance system in place since November 2001 in all emergency-receiving hospitals. This presentation will illustrate how data collected from this system was used to guide public health policy during the influenza outbreak of 2003.

Riverside County Department of Public Health collects six syndromes, including influenza-like illness (ILI), through an automatic daily poll. A county epidemiologist analyzes the data for any unusual activity. During the week ending December 6, 2003, the proportion of emergency department (ED) patients complaining of ILI crossed the statistically significant outbreak threshold at 13% of all emergency department patients. Levels continued to rise reaching a peak of 24% the week ending December 20, 2003 and then rapidly declined to baseline levels.

During the outbreak syndromic surveillance data was one tool the Riverside County Health Officer used in determining whether to declare a public health emergency. A declaration was drafted, but not used, after data indicated that the outbreak had peaked. The data was also used to address diversion and ED saturation concerns from ED and pre-hospital personnel. After the outbreak, the health officer used the data to demonstrate to school administrators and the County Board of Supervisors why a declaration was not necessary.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the influenza outbreak in Riverside County, CA during the 2003-2004 season. 2.Discuss the use of data gathered from syndromic surveillance systems to guide public health policy.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Emergency Department/Room

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.