Evaluation of the enterovirus laboratory surveillance system in Denmark, 2010 to 2013.

Evaluation of the enterovirus laboratory surveillance system in Denmark, 2010 to 2013. Euro Surveill. 2016 May 5;21(18) Authors: Condell O, Midgley S, Christiansen CB, Chen M, Chen Nielsen X, Ellermann-Eriksen S, Mølvadgaard M, Schønning K, Vermedal Hoegh S, Andersen PH, Voldstedlund M, Kølsen Fischer T Abstract The primary aim of the Danish enterovirus (EV) surveillance system is to document absence of poliovirus infection. The conflict in Syria has left many children unvaccinated and movement from areas with polio cases to Europe calls for increased awareness to detect and respond to virus-transmission in a timely manner. We evaluate the national EV laboratory surveillance, to generate recommendations for system strengthening. The system was analysed for completeness of viral typing analysis and clinical information and timeliness of specimen collection, laboratory results and reporting of clinical information. Of 23,720 specimens screened, 2,202 (9.3%) were EV-positive. Submission of cerebrospinal fluid and faecal specimens from primary diagnostic laboratories was 79.5% complete (845/1,063), and varied by laboratory and patient age. EV genotypes were determined in 68.5% (979/1,430) of laboratory-confirmed cases, clinical information was available for 63.1% (903/1,430). Primary diagnostic results were available after a median of 1.4 days, typing results after 17 days, detailed clinical information after 33 days. The large number...
Source: Euro Surveill - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Euro Surveill Source Type: research