Influenza surveillance: Why?

Surveillance is also one of the few bright spots in influenza preparedness in Europe. A sentinel network of 13,500 physicians provides an early warning in the event of an influenza outbreak. The network is part of the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). Germany has one of the most advanced surveillance networks in Europe, and has made the reporting of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza mandatory. Monitoring avian influenza is a good way to anticipate human influenza outbreaks. Coordinated surveillance of influenza in humans and animals is needed, and the human and veterinary surveillance systems should be linked to exchange information, diagnostic tools and antigens. Although not perfect, the current surveillance network managed by EISS functions effectively, and can play a key role in the early identification and ongoing monitoring of a pandemic influenza virus as well as the annual epidemics.