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The intent of an effective surveillance system is to provide early and precise
information to public health officials on four aspects of increased dengue
activity: Time; Location; Virus Serotype; and Disease Severity. The purpose
would be to reduce transmission, thereby reducing the probability of dengue
hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. It should, therefore, be a proactive
surveillance system that will allow for early detection of dengue cases and thus
will improve the capacity of public health officials to prevent and control the
spread of dengue. The most significant characteristic of this type of
surveillance is its predictive capability. Analysis of trends of reported cases,
the establishment of sentinel clinics, the confirmation of dengue cases by the
laboratory, and the rapid identification of the serotypes involved in
transmission, provide the necessary information to predict dengue transmission
and guide implementation of control measures well in advance of peak
transmission. Proactive clinical surveillance must be linked to entomologic
surveillance, in order to identify dengue transmission in time and place.
This lecture/presentation supports a collaborative solution regarding a
regional approach to a dengue prevention/control and surveillance program which
will bring the nations of the region together as equal partners and build upon
the assets, strengths, and capacities of each country. Also, to promote and
encourage development of improved methods for surveillance and community-based
prevention and control programs as well as the communication of the findings and
implications through out the region.
There should be collaboration in contingency planning, pre-positioning of
relief commodities, hurricane pre-deployment rotations, and training in disaster
response, mitigation and preparedness. However, collaboration must be inclusive
to succeed in fostering the equitable exchange of knowledge and ideas between
the nations of The Caribbean and Central America.
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