Application of syndromic surveillance system based on kindergarten absenteeism records in Pudong new district, Shanghai

Objective To evaluate warning effects and feasibility of syndromic surveillance system based on kindergarten absenteeism records on predication of communicable disease epidemic in targeted population in Pudong new district of Shanghai. Methods The surveillance data from September 1,2013 to June 30,2014 and from September 1,2014 to June 30,2015 were analyzed. The results were compared with the incidence data of notifiable communicable diseases in local child care settings during the same period. Time mismatch Pearson correlation analysis was conducted on the correlation between 2 sets of data.Results There were significant correlation between the data of fever and rash in child care settings reported by syndromic surveillance system based on kindergarten absenteeism records and by notifiable communicable disease surveillance, but fever and rash reported by syndromic surveillance system could predict fluctuations of related disease epidemic 1-3 weeks in advance.Conclusion Symptoms of fever and rash can predict the fluctuations of related communicable disease epidemic at some extent, which would facilitate the early warning and trend prediction of communicable diseases.