Epidemiological surveillance of land borders in North and South America: a case study

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 59; pp. e68 - 10
• Main Authors: Bruniera-Oliveira, Robson, Horta, Marco Aurélio Pereira, Varan, Aiden, Montiel, Sonia, Carmo, Eduardo Hage, Waterman, Stephen H, Verani, José Fernando de Souza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo 06.11.2017; Instituto de Medicina Tropical; Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
• Subjects: Case studies; Communicable diseases; Communication; Data collection; Disease Notification; Emigration and Immigration; Epidemics; Epidemiological Monitoring; Epidemiological surveillance; Health communication; Health surveillance; Humans; Infectious diseases; Interviews as Topic; Laboratories; Likert scale; North America; Original; Public health; Questionnaires; Sanitary control of borders; South America; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Epidemiological surveillance; Sanitary control of borders; Communicable diseases; Public health; Health communication
• ISSN: 0036-4665; 1678-9946; 1678-9946; 0036-4665
• DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946201759068

This study aims to analyze the different binational/multinational activities, programs, and structures taking place on the borders of Brazil and the U.S. between 2013 and 2015. A descriptive exploratory study of two border epidemiological surveillance (BES) systems has been performed. Two approaches were used to collect data: i) technical visits to the facilities involved with border surveillance and application of a questionnaire survey; ii) application of an online questionnaire survey. It was identified that, for both surveillance systems, more than 55% of the technicians had realized that the BES and its activities have high priority. Eighty percent of North American and 71% of Brazilian border jurisdictions reported an exchange of information between countries. Less than half of the jurisdictions reported that the necessary tools to carry out information exchange were available. Operational attributes of completeness, feedback, reciprocity, and quality of information were identified as weak or of low quality in both systems. Statements, guidelines, and protocols to develop surveillance activities are available at the U.S.-Mexico border area. The continuous systematic development of surveillance systems at these borders will create more effective actions and responses.