[Epidemiologic follow-up of subjects taking a cure in thermal spas: apropos of a 2-year experience in Bourboule and Saint-Nectaire].

We tried to find out if a controlled sentinel system can be used in a hot spring spa to determine the level of incidents encountered by cure takers and to alert in case of epidemiological events. After two years of experiences in two different thermal resorts, we conclude that such systems may operate and may be extended to other hot spring spas. Among the incidents declared, some cannot be explained by a reactivation of the chronic disease justifying the cure and we pointed out the role of places and periods of cure takers' meeting.