Three years of emergency department gastrointestinal syndromic surveillance in New York City: what have we found?

Abstract

Only substantial, citywide syndromic signals were identified as outbreaks and routinely reported. GI outbreaks did not generate syndromic signals. Syndromic surveillance signals occur frequently, are difficult to investigate satisfactorily, and should be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, well-maintained traditional surveillance systems that rely on strong ties between clinicians and public health authorities.