Notification data and criteria during a large Q-fever epidemic reassessed.

ABSTRACT: From 2007 to 2010, the largest reported Q-fever epidemic occurred in the Netherlands with 4026 notified laboratory-confirmed cases. During the course of the epidemic, health-seeking behaviour changed and awareness among health professionals increased. Changes in laboratory workflows were implemented. The aim of this study was to analyse how these changes instigated adjustments of notification criteria and how these adjustments affected the monitoring and interpretation of the epidemic. We used the articles on laboratory procedures related to the epidemic and a description of the changes that were made to the notification criteria. We compared the output of a regional laboratory with notifications to the regional Public Health Service and the national register of infectious diseases. We com

SUBMITTER: Hanssen DAT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6518550 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature