Towards an Integrated and Comprehensive Surveillance of Infectious Diseases in Germany

ongoing

As part of its mandate, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is designated as the competent authority for the implementation, operation and evaluation of surveillance data for infectious diseases Infection Protection Act (IfSG) at national level in Germany. The implementation of the electronic notification system (DEMIS) has driven the digitalization of infectious disease surveillance in Germany. DEMIS created the infrastructural base with interfaces and secure and standardized data sharing options with key public health stakeholders such as laboratories, hospitals, outpatient sector (medical doctors) and community facilities. Apart from the statutory surveillance a variety of additional surveillance systems covering additional aspects and data sources to complement data from statutory surveillance. With increasing digitization in the German health sector there is an increasing need for a strategic and coordinated approach to surveillance applying national and international standards for interfaces and terminologies/classifications when developing frameworks for collection and transmission of data from a multitude of systems. Within six WP different aspects and goals will be addressed. Over the time of the project we aim to develop a long-term surveillance strategy to ensure strategic planning and distribution of resources. Through development of an integrated multi-sectoral surveillance of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases and capacity building activities the surveillance of new emerging diseases will be strengthened. The frameworks for use of secondary data for surveillance purposes and the further development of automated signal detection, data quality monitoring and (automated) analysis of surveillance data will contribute to timeliness, availability and representativeness of surveillance data. Training of the health care workforce will support the activities above and increase engagement in surveillance on all administrative level in Germany.