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Following the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and outbreaks of avian influenza affecting humans, the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada recommended increased vigilance for the surveillance of severe respiratory illnesses (SRIs) worldwide. Although it is unlikely that Nova Scotia will be the first place in North America to identify a case of SARS, avian influenza or other emerging respiratory infection, it is necessary to conduct enhanced SRI surveillance to ensure rapid recognition and appropriate management should such a case appear in the province. This is accomplished by focusing surveillance efforts on specific clinical syndromes (e.g. pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome) in hospitalized patients who may have been exposed to these viruses during international travel. SRI surveillance is conducted in addition to current surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses through FluWatch and the national laboratory-based respiratory virus surveillance program. In order to assist local health care professionals with the performance of SRI surveillance, the Department of Health publishes a list of the current ‘Areas of Concern’ and distributes this list to physicians, infection control practitioners, emergency health services, regional communicable disease nurse managers and hospital CEOs on a weekly basis. An area of concern is defined as “countries or regions with ongoing transmission of avian influenza (H5N1) in humans and/or poultry OR countries or regions where the potential emergence/re-emergency of SARS is likely to occur”. The list is updated as required based on the most current information from the World Health Organization. | |||||
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