title: Heterogeneous case definitions used for the surveillance of influenza in Europe.
abstract: We reviewed the case definitions used by 21 influenza sentinel-based surveillance networks in Western Europe. Two clinical syndromes were used with a wide range of case definitions that nevertheless shared common criteria. Although there is currently no international consensus, efforts are being undertaken to standardise influenza case definitions in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Laboratory Service, London, United Kingdom. jaguilera@phls.org.uk
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Aguilera
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Paget
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosnier
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Heijnen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uphoff
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Velden
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires