Surveillance And Monitoring Of Pandemic Flu In A Resource Limited Environment: A Case Of Djibouti And A Who-Copanflu International Study Preliminary Report

Background: A syndromic surveillance system using non-classical data sources for detection and monitoring evolution of flu and flu-like illness (ILI) in Djibouti is reported here as part of the preliminary report of Djibouti WHO-Copanflu International Study (WCIS)(star star). Methodology: Clinical reports, over-the-counter drug sales, lab diagnosis report, and health communication trends were obtained for an integrated statistical analysis. Results: transition to winter is concomitant with upsurge of ILI cases and ILI drug sales. In addition, more rural folks manage ILI infections on self medicament than through clinical consultancy. Inefficient and vague data collections were observed. A successful implementation of WCIS will create a platform upon which challenges faced in Djibouti Health Department in routine surveillance will be addressed to achieve a near-real time surveillance of flu pandemic. Conclusion: Innovations, prompt reporting, and instituting open source syndromic surveillance system software's in resource limited environment like Djibouti will enhance early detection and evolution monitoring of pandemic flu.