Praktijkevaluatie van de regionale toepassing van artikel 7 van de Infectieziektenwet

Abstract

In 1999 a new Dutch law on notifiable diseases is implemented. It contains article 7, which states that institutions are obliged to report unusual numbers of inhabitants or staff with symptoms of infectious diseases to the local public health service. We think evaluation of the actions deriving from article 7 is in place. We analysed regional data from these reports in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Thereby categorizing medical and non-medical institutions. Most of the reports come from non-medical institutions and can be dealt with by giving information and advice. Skin infections and rashes were reported the most. Medical institutions often reported actual outbreaks. 41% Of all institutions in our region contacted us in the period that was analyzed. We conclude that our role is well known to the regional institutions and that we have a good idea of how they report. Because of the large diversity in registration of article 7 reports, national surveillance is not useful. Registration of certain reports might attribute to surveillance of specific syndromes. A more uniform registration can attribute to an improvement in the quality of local public health services.