title: Which surveillance systems were operational after Typhoon Haiyan?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Effective disease surveillance is vital for a successful disaster response. This study assessed the functionality of the three disease surveillance systems used post-Haiyan: Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR), Event-based Surveillance and Response (ESR) and Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED).
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of 45 government health officers from affected areas was conducted in March 2014. The survey documented when each of the systems was operational and included questions that ranked the functionality of the three surveillance systems and whether they complemented each other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two of 11 (18%) surveillance units had an operational SPEED system pre-event. PIDSR and ESR remained operational in five of 11 (45%) surveillance units without interruption of reporting. Ten surveillance units (91%) rated PIDSR as functional post-Typhoon; eight (72.7%) considered ESR functional. SPEED was rated as functional by three (27%) surveillance units. Seven of 11 (63.6%) surveillance units rated the three systems as being complementary to each other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In most of the areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the routine surveillance systems (PIDSR and ESR) were not disrupted; although, in Leyte it took seven weeks for these to be operational. Although SPEED is recommended for activation within 48 hours after a disaster, this did not occur in most of the surveyed areas. Most of the surveillance units rated PIDSR, ESR and SPEED to be complementary to each other.
authors.affiliation: Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation Incorporated, Department of Health Compound, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tante
authors.affiliation: Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation Incorporated, Department of Health Compound, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Eireen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.affiliation: Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation Incorporated, Department of Health Compound, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pacho
authors.affiliation: Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation Incorporated, Department of Health Compound, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Maria Adona
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Galvan
authors.affiliation: Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Aura
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corpuz
mesh_terms: D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D010679:Philippines; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012066:Relief Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires