title: Planning for pandemic influenza surveillance in NSW.
abstract: Early detection of a novel strain (genotype) of influenza virus in the NSW population is the key to controlling a pandemic. If this occurs, ongoing surveillance will help determine the epidemiology and risk factors of the virus as well as its impact on essential services. Important components of surveillance preparedness in NSW include: border surveillance; hospital-based screening for suspected cases; protocols for efficient transport and testing of viral specimens; flexible, robust electronic tools for rapid surveillance data collection; management and reporting; and creation of surveillance surge capacity.
authors.affiliation: NSW Department of Health, Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Muscatello
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cretikos
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Churches
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: Leon G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: McPhie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance