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Syndromic Surveillance
•The use of data on symptoms that precede diagnosis to detect an outbreak
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•Syndromic surveillance is typically automated
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•Ideally, surveillance of symptoms instead of diagnoses allows for earlier detection
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•Most effective when coupled with routine surveillance
Speaking Points

•Syndromic surveillance is a form of public health surveillance that uses data on symptoms that precede diagnosis and signal a sufficient probability of a case or an outbreak to warrant further public health response

•Syndromic surveillance is typically automated by computer, and often uses hospital medical records or health insurance data

•In theory, syndromic surveillance is beneficial because it allows for surveillance of symptoms instead of diagnoses, thus resulting in earlier detection

•It is most effective when coupled with routine surveillance