The CARE Telematics Network for the Surveillance of Influenza in Europe

R. Snacken; M. Bensadon; A. Strauss

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1634617

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 1995; 34(05): 518-522
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634617

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

The CARE Telematics Network for the Surveillance of Influenza in Europe

R. Snacken

¹Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Brussels, Belgium

,

M. Bensadon

²Centre Inter-universitaire du Traitement de l’Information (CITI 2), Université René Descartes, Paris, France

,

A. Strauss

²Centre Inter-universitaire du Traitement de l’Information (CITI 2), Université René Descartes, Paris, France

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the 1950s, national networks for the surveillance of influenza have been progressively implemented in several countries. New epidemiological arguments have triggered changes in order to increase the sensitivity of existent early warning systems and to strengthen the communications between European networks. The WHO project CARE Telematics, which collects clinical and virological data of nine national networks and sends useful information to public health administrations, is presented. From the results of the 1993-94 season, the benefits of the system are discussed. Though other telematics networks in this field already exist, it is the first time that virological data, absolutely essential for characterizing the type of an outbreak, are timely available by other countries. This argument will be decisive in case of occurrence of a new strain of virus (shift), such as the Spanish flu in 1918. Priorities are now to include other existing European surveillance networks.

Keywords:

Surveillance - Influenza - Telematics - Epidemiology

Full Text

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