Use of Ambulance Dispatch Calls for Surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections

Susana Monge,Jan Van De Kassteele,Jens P Valk,Geert Jan Kommer,Jan De Nooij,Wim Van Der Hoek,Thomas Krafft,Gé A Donker,Paul Engelen,Janneke Duijster,Liselotte Van Asten,Jan De Waard

doi:10.3201/eid2601.181520

Abstract

Ambulance dispatches for respiratory syndromes reflect incidence of influenza-like illness in primary care. Associations are highest in children (15%–34% of respiratory calls attributable to influenza), out-of-office hours (9%), and highest urgency-level calls (9%–11%). Ambulance dispatches might be an additional source of data for severe influenza surveillance.

Highlights

Ambulance dispatches for respiratory syndromes reflect incidence of influenza-like illness in primary care
We aimed to assess whether telephone calls to ambulance dispatch centers were a possible source for surveillance of severe influenza, by showing the association with influenzalike illness (ILI) incidence, the most critical influenza indicator in primary care
We estimated how many respiratory syndrome calls (RSCs) were attributable to influenza circulation in the community, using weekly ILI incidence from sentinel general-practitioner practices (7)

Summary

Introduction

Ambulance dispatches for respiratory syndromes reflect incidence of influenza-like illness in primary care. Influenza virus infection is associated with severe illness and death and causes a high burden of disease (1). We aimed to assess whether telephone calls to ambulance dispatch centers were a possible source for surveillance of severe influenza, by showing the association with influenzalike illness (ILI) incidence, the most critical influenza indicator in primary care.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion