Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit Annual Report, 2016

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) collects national data on rare infectious diseases and complications in children.
• In 2016, approximately 1500 pediatricians reported to APSU with a 90% monthly return rate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the surveillance data for rare infectious diseases and complications in Australian children during 2016.
• To track specific conditions including perinatal HIV exposure, congenital infections (rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella), Acute Flaccid Paralysis, juvenile onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, severe influenza, and microcephaly.

Main Methods:

• Data collection through the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) network of reporting pediatricians.
• Integration of APSU data with other surveillance systems (e.g., Paediatric Active Disease Surveillance - PAEDS) for specific disease targets.
• Initiation of targeted surveillance for microcephaly in June 2016.

Main Results:

• APSU provided unique national data on various congenital and neonatal infections.
• A decline in juvenile onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis cases was noted, potentially linked to the National HPV Vaccination Program.
• Severe influenza complications significantly decreased in 2016 compared to 2015, with no reported deaths.
• 21 microcephaly cases were identified; none were linked to congenital Zika virus infection, but follow-up is ongoing.

Conclusions:

• APSU surveillance is crucial for monitoring rare pediatric infectious diseases in Australia.
• The decline in severe influenza and RRP cases suggests positive impacts of vaccination programs.
• Continued surveillance for microcephaly is necessary to determine causes, including potential infectious etiologies.