Physicians' database searches as a tool for early detection of epidemics.
We analyzed retrospectively the use of Physician Desk Reference Database searches to identify epidemics of tularemia, nephropathy, Pogosta disease, and Lyme disease and compared the searches with mandatory laboratory reports to the National Infectious Diseases Register in Finland during 1995. Continuous recording of such searches may be a tool for early detection of epidemics.
Jormanainen
V
V
Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland.
Jousimaa
J
J
Kunnamo
I
I
Ruutu
P
P
D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012845:Sindbis Virus; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis