An Early Warning System Based on Syndromic Surveillance to Detect Potential Health Emergencies among Migrants: Results of a Two-Year Experience in Italy

Christian Napoli, Flavia Riccardo, Silvia Declich, Maria Grazia Dente, Maria Grazia Pompa, Caterina Rizzo, Maria Cristina Rota, Antonino Bella and The National Working Group
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Christian Napoli: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Flavia Riccardo: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Silvia Declich: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Dente: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Pompa: Department of Prevention and Communication, Ministry of Health, Via Ribotta, 5-00144 Rome, Italy
Caterina Rizzo: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Cristina Rota: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
Antonino Bella: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
The National Working Group: Coordinamento Gruppo Interregionale Sanità Pubblica e Screening, Via Dorsoduro, 3494/A-30123 Venezia, Italy

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Profound geopolitical changes have impacted the southern and eastern Mediterranean since 2010 and defined a context of instability that is still affecting several countries today. Insecurity combined with the reduction of border controls has led to major population movements in the region and to migration surges from affected countries to southern Europe, especially to Italy. To respond to the humanitarian emergency triggered by this migration surge, Italy implemented a syndromic surveillance system in order to rapidly detect potential public health emergencies in immigrant reception centres. This system was discontinued after two years. This paper presents the results of this experience detailing its strengths and weaknesses in order to document the applicability and usefulness of syndromic surveillance in this specific context.

Keywords: migrant influx; early warning; syndromic surveillance; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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