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Virus Monitoring in Denmark: A Community-Based Self-Sampling System to Surveil Respiratory Viruses and Associated
Tine Graakjær Larsen1,2, Jonathan R Ginty1, Randi Jessen3,4
1Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Journal of Medical Virology
|March 25, 2025
Summary
The Virus Monitoring in Denmark system tracked respiratory viruses, symptoms, and behaviors in over 30,000 people. SARS-CoV-2 was most common, with over 50% positivity in late 2023.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Respiratory virus surveillance is crucial for understanding disease dynamics.
- The Virus Monitoring in Denmark (VMD) system was established to monitor respiratory viruses in the general population.
- Real-time data on virus circulation and symptoms aids public health response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the trends in respiratory viruses, symptoms, and participant demographics observed during the first 1.5 years of the VMD surveillance system.
- To evaluate the VMD system's utility in capturing real-time data on respiratory virus circulation and symptomatology in a non-healthcare-seeking population.
- To assess the VMD system's potential as a tool for pandemic preparedness.
Main Methods:
- The VMD system utilized digital invitations for participant recruitment, targeting a representative sample of the Danish population and workplaces.
- Participants used a smartphone web app for self-reporting symptoms and registering self-collected nasal swabs.
- Data analysis included trends in virus detection (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A), symptom reporting, and demographic characteristics of 30,627 participants and 12,642 analyzed samples.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 was the most frequently detected virus, with positivity rates exceeding 50% in late 2023.
- Commonly reported symptoms prompting self-swabbing included fever, cough, and rhinorrhea; Influenza A was associated with the highest median symptom count.
- The VMD system demonstrated broad demographic representation and provided continuous, real-time insights into respiratory virus trends.
Conclusions:
- The VMD system effectively monitored respiratory viruses and associated symptoms in the general population, offering valuable real-time public health insights.
- The system's accessibility and broad reach position it as a significant tool for pandemic preparedness.
- Findings highlight the importance of accessible surveillance systems for tracking infectious diseases in the community.
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