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Laboratory Surveillance: Positive influenza tests are laboratory reportable in Connecticut. The DPH tracks the number of persons with positive influenza tests to determine what types, subtypes, and strains are circulating. Test results also provided information useful to understand the occurrence and spread of influenza throughout the state and the populations at risk.
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Institutional Outbreaks: Outbreaks from institutions are reportable to the DPH and include respiratory outbreaks in long-term care facilities that may be associated with influenza circulating in the community.
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Sentinel Provider Surveillance System: Reporting of influenza-like illness (ILI) is conducted through a statewide network of volunteer outpatient providers known as (ILINet). The proportion of patients exhibiting ILI is reported to the DPH on a weekly basis. ILI is defined as a cough or sore throat in the absence of a known cause, and the presence of a fever > 100° F. This system correlates with influenza transmission during influenza season.
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The Hospital Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance (HEDSS) System receives daily electronic reports on ED visits from more than half of Connecticut’s acute care hospitals. Data include a listing of total patient visits with information on their town of residence and chief complaint. It also reports on the percentage of fever/flu visits, which has been shown to correlate well with influenza activity.
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The Hospital Admissions Syndromic Surveillance (HASS) System, receives daily electronic reports from all 32 acute care hospitals on unscheduled admissions that include those for pneumonia. Pneumonia admissions have been associated with more severe influenza activity.
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Influenza-associated Hospitalizations: Influenza-associated hospitalizations are reportable events in Connecticut. Data collected through this system include demographic and clinical information, allow for a more complete assessment of the severity of circulating influenza, and risk factors for acquiring the more serious influenza-associated disease.
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Influenza-associated Deaths: Influenza-associated death is also a reportable event in Connecticut. Similar to influenza-associated hospitalizations these data contribute to the assessment of the severity of circulating influenza and risk factors for acquiring the most serious influenza-associated outcome. In addition, mortality data is reported from four Connecticut cities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury) that participate in the United States 122 Cities Mortality Study. These data are sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a weekly basis.
