Une nouvelle méthode de surveillance des maladies infectieuses en Belgique : le réseau “Vigie” de laboratoires de microbiologie

Implementation and Initial Analysis of a Laboratory-Based Weekly Biosurveillance System, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

We describe the implementation of an automated infectious disease surveillance system that uses data collected from 210 microbiologic laboratories throughout the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in France. Each week, these facilities report bacterial species that have been isolated from patients in their area. An alarm is triggered whenever the case count for a bacterial species infection exceeds 2 SDs of the historical mean for that species at the participating laboratory. At its inception in July 2013, the system monitored 611 bacterial species. During July 1, 2013–March 20, 2016, weekly analyses of incoming surveillance data generated 34 alarms signaling possible infectious disease outbreaks; after investigation, 14 (41%) of these alarms resulted in health alerts declared by the regional health authority. We are currently improving the system by developing an Internet-based surveillance platform and extending our surveillance to include more laboratories in the region.

Declining trends in some sexually transmitted diseases in Belgium between 1983 and 1989

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in some sexually transmitted diseases in Belgium and to discuss them in the light of the European background.

DESIGN

Analysis of the time trends of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae infections diagnosed by a network of microbiological laboratories, and of male urethritis diagnosed by a network of general practitioners.

SETTING

Belgium.

SUBJECTS

Reports of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae infections by a network of microbiological laboratories, and of male urethritis by a network of general practitioners, to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

RESULTS

Whereas an increase in the number of C trachomatis infections, more pronounced among women, was observed up to 1986, a small decrease has been observed afterwards in males. The mean number of chlamydial infections per laboratory and per year was 4.2 in 1983, 15.7 in 1986 and 13.9 in 1989. A decrease in the number of N gonorrhoeae infections, more pronounced among men, has been observed. The mean number of cases of gonorrhoea per laboratory and per year was 10.9 in 1983 and only 2.2 in 1989. The same declining trend has been observed in another surveillance programme of male urethritis, based on a network of general practitioners. The number of cases of male urethritis per 100 patient encounters went down from 0.06 in 1982-3 to 0.04 in 1988-9.

CONCLUSION

The declining trend in Western Europe in incidence of gonococcal infections and of urethritis in men is also occurring in Belgium, but genital chlamydial infections remain an important public health problem.

A sentinel network of microbiological laboratories as a tool for surveillance of infectious diseases in Belgium

In the development of a surveillance programme for infectious diseases in Belgium, a national network of microbiological laboratories has been responsible, since February 1983, for the weekly registration of certain pathogenic agents. Thus, the main epidemiological features of a selected number of infections in Belgium can be characterized.