Communicable diseases surveillance: Highlights for 3rd quarter, 2003

Communicable diseases surveillance highlights for 3rd quarter, 2003 (bloodborne diseases, gastrointestinal disease, vaccine preventable diseases, vectorborne diseases, zoonoses, other bacterial infections), and surveillance outcomes from several reporting series as follows: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System tables, 1 July to 30 September 2003; Laboratory Serology and Virology Reporting Scheme tables, 1 July to 30 September 2003; Australian Sentinel Practices Research Network, reporting period 1 July to 30 September 2003; Gonococcal surveillance, reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2003; HIV and AIDS surveillance, reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2003, assessed as at 30 September 2003; Australian childhood immunisation coverage, 1 April to 30 June 2003 cohort, assessed as at 30 September 2003; National Enteric Pathogens Surveillance System, reporting period 1 July to 30 September 2003. These national data collections are complemented by intelligence provided by State and Territory communicable disease epidemiologists and/or data managers. This additional information has enabled the reporting of more informative highlights each quarter.