Identification of Disease Outbreaks and Role of Data Analysis:An Experience from Nadia District in West Bengal - India

Introduction: Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) was launched in West Bengal in November 200. Nadia district in West Bengal has a good reporting mechanism under IDSP and data has been computerised since 2007. Present study is analysis of data collected in 'S' forms for fever syndrome. Objectives of the study was (1) to describe the suspected cases of fever reported by the district IDSP cell of Nadia, West Bengal during 2010 by time and place (2) to estimate weekly trigger indices for each syndrome and (3) to compare reported outbreak response with estimated outbreaks. Material and Methods: it was a cross sectional descriptive study based on secondary data. The study was conducted in Nadia district of West Bengal from November 2010 to February 2011. The reference period was January 2008 to December 2010. Results: During year 2010, total 3,36,814 fever cases were reported in Nadia district. Out of total fever cases, 72% (242605 cases) was "Only fever" followed by "Fever with cough and cold" (24.1%, 81101 cases). Conclusion: Fever with cough and cold was increasing in Nadia over last 3 years. Transmission of fever with rash was high in monsoon and post monsoon period. Outbreak response was not data based.