Use of Ambulance Dispatch Calls for Surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Ambulance dispatches for respiratory syndromes reflect incidence of influenza-like illness in primary care. Associations are highest in children (15%–34% of respiratory calls attributable to influenza), out-of-office hours (9%), and highest urgency-level calls (9%–11%). Ambulance dispatches might be an additional source of data for severe influenza surveillance.

Keywords

• influenza
• respiratory tract infections
• respiratory syndrome
• public health surveillance
• emergency medical services
• ambulance