A Survey of Usage and Response Protocols of Syndromic Surveillance Systems by State Public Health Departments in the United States

BACKGROUND Within the syndromic surveillance literature there a acknowledged gaps with respect to penetration of syndromic surveillance systems and standard or promising practices for response [1]. The lack of adequate data and evidence-based policy recommendations on response is especially concerning because syndromic surveillance systems are only as useful a s the timely pubic health response launched after abe ration detection [2]. We undertook the first step o f a multi-phase study, with the global objectives of de scribing existing infrastructure in responding to a lerts generated by syndromic surveillance systems and creating response guidance materials for public health practitioners. The preliminary findings contained here describe syndromic surveillance systems in use throughout the United States, future plans r elated to the use of such systems, and basic informa tion regarding how outbreak response is initiated. This cataloging of systems complements work currently underway by the International Society for Di sease Surveillance directed towards developing a comprehensive registry of syndromic surveillance systems [3].