title: Enhanced surveillance of hepatitis B infection in inner-western Sydney.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed an enhanced surveillance system for hepatitis B to improve the detection of newly acquired cases and to collect epidemiological data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was undertaken from February to June (inclusive) 2005 at the Sydney South West Area Health Service Eastern Zone Public Health Unit. A letter was sent to treating doctors on receipt of a notification, requesting additional information on cases. Cases identified by the treating doctors as newly acquired were followed up by telephone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 295 notifications of hepatitis B in the period, of which three were newly acquired infections. Only one of these three cases was identified through enhanced surveillance. Information on ethnicity was obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This enhanced surveillance system is of limited value as an ongoing process. We recommend that it be undertaken periodically to monitor the epidemiology of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Sydney South West Area Health Service Public Health Unit, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia. bforssman@optusnet.com.au
authors.forename: Bradley L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Forssman
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health