Journal article
Influenza surveillance in Victoria, 2004.
J Turner, HJ Clothier, M Kaye
Communicable Diseases Intelligence | Published : 2005
Open access
Abstract
Influenza activity during the traditional Victorian influenza season from May to October 2004 was low with no well-defined peak. Surveillance was based on sentinel general practice influenza-like illness (ILI) notification with laboratory confirmation, locum service ILI notification and laboratory reporting of influenza detections. Eight hundred and fifteen consultations for ILI were reported from 38 general practices and 216 consultations for ILI were reported from the locum service. The average weekly rate of influenza-like-illness from sentinel surveillance was 5.4 cases per 1,000 consultations, representing normal seasonal activity. Influenza A (H3N2) was the predominant circulating sub-..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The sentinel influenza surveillance program would not be possible without the ongoing support of the participating general practitioners and their practice staff. Staff of the Viral Identification Laboratory at VIDRL performed all PCR testing. We thank the three metropolitan hospitals for their cooperation and contribution of laboratory diagnosed influenza data and the WHO Collaborating Centre for provision of influenza strain identification. Our thanks also go to the Melbourne Medical Locum Service for sharing their data with us. We also acknowledge the private pathology providers who facilitate transport of respiratory specimens from rural and regional general practices. The influenza surveillance program is partially supported by the Department of Human Services, Victoria. The study of influenza in patients in the paediatric Emergency Department was made possible through a research grant funded by the Medicines Australian Vaccine Industry Group and the support of RCH ED staff.