title: Experiences with a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of equine diseases in Switzerland.
abstract: Clinical observations made by practitioners and reported using web- and mobile-based technologies may benefit disease surveillance by improving the timeliness of outbreak detection. Equinella is a voluntary electronic reporting and information system established for the early detection of infectious equine diseases in Switzerland. Sentinel veterinary practitioners have been able to report cases of non-notifiable diseases and clinical symptoms to an internet-based platform since November 2013. Telephone interviews were carried out during the first year to understand the motivating and constraining factors affecting voluntary reporting and the use of mobile devices in a sentinel network. We found that non-monetary incentives attract sentinel practitioners; however, insufficient understanding of the reporting system and of its relevance, as well as concerns over the electronic dissemination of health data were identified as potential challenges to sustainable reporting. Many practitioners are not yet aware of the advantages of mobile-based surveillance and may require some time to become accustomed to novel reporting methods. Finally, our study highlights the need for continued information feedback loops within voluntary sentinel networks.
authors: Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Struchen
authors: Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Hadorn
authors: Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Wohlfender
authors: Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Balmer
authors: Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Süptitz
authors: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute,University of Basel,Switzerland.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zinsstag
authors: Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
authors: F
authors: 0000-0003-3603-4694
authors: F
authors: Vial
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000379:methods; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Infectious diseases; mobile devices; sentinel networks; veterinary practitioners; voluntary reporting