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

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.

Ausbrüche von Infektionskrankheiten in Gemeinschaftsunterkünften für Asylsuchende 2004–2014 in Deutschland

“…Häufiger als Übertragungen von importierten Infektionen [5,6] sind bisher Ausbrüche durch in Europa erworbene Infektionen unter Migranten beschrieben worden [4,[7][8][9][10][11].…”

Physical Activity in Older Adults: An Investigation in a Metropolitan Area of Southern Italy

“…Furthermore, it should be noted that in contrast to infectious diseases, where surveillance systems may help with early detection, continuous surveillance systems for risk factors for non-transmittable diseases, such as overweight and physical inactivity, are very difficult to implement and maintain. However, this type of epidemiological monitoring may be useful to establish timely and more effective interventions [33,34].…”

Health needs of refugees: port of arrival versus permanent camp settings

“…Starting with the influx of refugees in 2010, the Italian government implemented a health information system, including public health surveillance mechanisms to report to the Italian ministry of health (MoH) (20,21). The MoH has also adapted a WHO toolkit to conduct a series of assessments on the health system impact of the influx of migrants and crisis management (Table 3) (22,23).…”