The Evolution of the WHO/NREVSS Influenza Surveillance System: The Challenges and Opportunities that Accompany Electronic Laboratory Data

Abstract

The WHO/NREVSS Influenza laboratory surveillance system has been in use for ~40 years. Through multiple reporting methods, partner labs can share their influenza laboratory testing data to the Influenza Divsion at CDC. Over time, this system has evolved in complexity, and the most recent enhancement has been the addition of HL7 laboratory messaging through the Public Health Laboratory Interoperability Project. This reporting has been challenging to implement, but  has added great value to the system, including an increased potential for new data analyses, increased functionality, and a braoder use of the resulting data.