Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
10:49
Visualizing Efficacy of Pesticides Against Disease Vector Mosquitoes in the Field
Published on: March 16, 2019
Sentinel surveillance system for early outbreak detection in Madagascar
Laurence Randrianasolo1, Yolande Raoelina, Maherisoa Ratsitorahina
1Unité d'Epidémiologie, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, République de Madagascar.
BMC Public Health
|January 23, 2010
Summary
Madagascar established a nationwide sentinel surveillance system for early infectious disease detection. This system rapidly identifies outbreaks, enabling timely public health interventions and preventing future epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Following the chikungunya outbreak, Madagascar's Ministry of Health initiated an early outbreak detection system.
- A sentinel syndromic-based surveillance system was established in March 2007, involving the Institut Pasteur in Madagascar (IPM).
- The system transmits daily patient data from voluntary general practitioners nationwide to IPM for analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and implementation of a nationwide sentinel surveillance system.
- To highlight the challenges and steps involved in creating such a public health tool.
- To demonstrate the value of timely information for improving public health decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from sentinel general practitioners (SGPs) reporting patient demographics and symptoms weekly.
- Implemented daily (Monday-Friday) reporting via encrypted SMS for key syndromic indicators like fever, malaria, influenza, arboviral, and diarrheal diseases.
- Enabled data validation by the management team via mobile phone, ensuring data accuracy.
Main Results:
- In 2008, the system covered 13 health centers and identified 5 outbreaks.
- Out of 218,849 total visits, 12.2% were fever syndromes (26,669 cases).
- Key fever causes included Dengue-like fever (12.3%), Influenza-like illness (11.1%), and confirmed malaria (9.7%).
Conclusions:
- The system represents Madagascar's first nationwide real-time-like disease surveillance.
- Encourages other African nations to adopt similar syndromic surveillance systems.
- Prompt outbreak detection facilitates control measures, limits impact, and aids in preventing future epidemics.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...