Role of active and passive surveillance in early case detection and prevention of disease spread in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience

Authors

  • Kumar Pradeep Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Gopinathan Samundeswari Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Rajasekar Niranjan Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Velayutham Dorthy Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Ilango Malar Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Anandan Velavan Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Rajesh Kumar Konduru Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Prahan Kumar Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Anil J. Purty Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20220522

Keywords:

COVID-19, Pandemic, Active surveillance, Passive surveillance

Abstract

Background: Strong surveillance systems which include both active and passive surveillance are the important steps to halt a disease outbreak by early case detection and management, which helps in breaking the chain of transmission. The main aim of this article is to share our experience regarding the active and passive surveillance done during COVID 19 spread in the year 2021.

Methods: The early case detection of COVID 19 cases through active and passive surveillance was slightly different from the usual methods that are carried out for regular known communicable diseases. Active surveillance was done round the clock by screening of all vehicles entering the union-territory of Puducherry and by house-to-house survey. Passive surveillance was carried out by screening of various symptomatic patients attending to hospitals which needed motivation of health personnel as well as awareness among the general public.

Results: Out of 12 Govt. PHCs (3,30,000population) where active and passive surveillance was conducted, the total number of individuals referred to designated COVID centre by active and passive surveillance is 30 and 110 respectively for COVID testing and further management.

Conclusions: Active and Passive surveillance plays a major role in early case detection and prevention of disease spread in COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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Published

2022-02-25

How to Cite

Pradeep, K., Samundeswari, G., Niranjan, R., Dorthy, V., Malar, I., Velavan, A., Konduru, R. K., Kumar, P., & Purty, A. J. (2022). Role of active and passive surveillance in early case detection and prevention of disease spread in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 10(3), 704–707. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20220522

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Section

Original Research Articles