Automatic disease surveillance

Based on data from microbiological test results, the automatic surveillance system creates an overview of any trends in the occurrence of infectious diseases. Data are enriched by additional information on residential address, vaccination status, hospitalisation, mortality, and risk factors such as chronic diseases, pregnancy and occupation sector. The Danish Central Person Register (CPR) and the National Patient Register (LPR) are the main data sources here. In addition, Plejehjemsoversigten, the National Health Insurance Registry Service (SSR), Register of Selected Chronic Diseases (RUKS), the Cause of Death Register (DAR), etc. are used.

Data from these sources are linked using algorithms or business rules, which are developed in interdisciplinary groups to ensure that data are both clinically and epidemiologically meaningful. The algorithms are validated against clinical data to the extent it is possible.

The automatic surveillance system generates data and statistics for a wide range of user groups, including other authorities, departments of clinical microbiology (DCM), clinical health personnel, the media, and citizens. Interactive dashboards (in Danish)have been developed for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. The data used for these dashboards are also made available as CSV files. Selected other notifiable diseases are currently shown on the page for Surveillance in Tal & Grafer (in Danish).