The national web-based outbreak rapid alert system in Norway: eight years of experience, 2006–2013

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 144; no. 1; pp. 215 - 224
• Main Authors: GUZMAN-HERRADOR, B., VOLD, L., BERG, T., BERGLUND, T. M., HEIER, B., KAPPERUD, G., LANGE, H., NYGÅRD, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; Communicable Diseases - microbiology; Cross Infection - epidemiology; Cross Infection - microbiology; Disease Outbreaks; Disease prevention; Drinking Water; Epidemics; Epidemiological Monitoring; Food safety; Foodborne Diseases - epidemiology; Foodborne Diseases - microbiology; Governors; Infections; Infectious diseases; Internet; Norway - epidemiology; Original Papers; Population Surveillance; Public health; Regulation; Surveillance; Norway; ANE, Norway; Outbreaks; surveillance systems
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S095026881500093X

In 2005, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health established a web-based outbreak rapid alert system called Vesuv. The system is used for mandatory outbreak alerts from municipal medical officers, healthcare institutions, and food safety authorities. As of 2013, 1426 outbreaks have been reported, involving 32913 cases. More than half of the outbreaks occurred in healthcare institutions (759 outbreaks, 53·2%). A total of 474 (33·2%) outbreaks were associated with food or drinking water. The web-based rapid alert system has proved to be a helpful tool by enhancing reporting and enabling rapid and efficient information sharing between different authorities at both the local and national levels. It is also an important tool for event-based reporting, as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. Collecting information from all the outbreak alerts and reports in a national database is also useful for analysing trends, such as occurrence of certain microorganisms, places or sources of infection, or route of transmission. This can facilitate the identification of specific areas where more general preventive measures are needed.