Establishment and effect evaluation of syndromic surveillance system

Objective To evaluate scientific value of syndromic surveillance for 5 categories of syndromes and applicative effect of syndromic surveillance techniques for establishing a scientific and practical platform for communicable disease surveillance.Methods In Nanning city,Hepu county,Guigang city,Guiping city,Lingchuan county and epidemic areas of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in Guangxi,a syndromic surveillance system involving 5 categories of syndromes was established.Using standardized procedures and criteria,an epidemiologic investigation was conducted among 2 964 cases who met the surveillance definition.Specimens such as blood or stool samples were collected and routine tests and culture were performed.The effect of syndromic surveillance technique on clinical diagnosis,preventive measures and control of the diseases were evaluated.Results Of the 905 cases with febrile respiratory syndrome,the most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumonia(23.93%,39/163 isolates),Streptococcus pneumonia(22.70%,37/163),Pseudomonsa aeruginosa(11.66%,19/163),and Haemophilus Infuenzae(11.04%,18/163).For 939 cases with diarrhea syndrome,Salmonella was the most common pathogen (81.05%,77/95).For 319 cases with fever and rash syndrome,Salmonella paratyphi A was the most common pathogen(88.37%,38/43).For 690 cases with encephalitis and meningitis syndrome,Cryptococcus neoformans was the most common pathogen(39.22%,20/51).Totally 111 cases of fever and hemorrhage syndrome were observed.A total of 352 strains of pathogens were isolated from the 2 964 cases enrolled,with a positive rate of 10.80%.Under the syndromic surveillance system,an outbreak caused by Salmonella paratyphi A was identified.In addition,rare infectious diseases,including a case of group B Meningococcal meningitis,a case infected with Streptococcus suis,and a case with Campylobacter enteritis were reported.Conclusion The syndromic surveillance is a scientific,sensitive,and practical techniques for disease surveillance.The application of syndromic surveillance will be helpful for improving capabilities of disease management,surveillance and laboratory test.