Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis and foodborne illness in the United States. To follow its outbreaks closely, CDC set up the Norovirus Sentinel Testing and Tracking (NoroSTAT) network in August 2012 — a partnership with 12 state health departments that report norovirus outbreaks faster, more completely and more consistently.
What it's for
Faster, better reporting lets CDC and the states quickly:
- gauge current outbreak activity;
- compare it with previous years;
- assess strain-specific features, including how new strains affect outbreak frequency and severity.
It also keeps epidemiologists and laboratory staff in the states and at CDC in close contact.
How states report
| Data | Sent to | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologic data — onset date, main transmission mode, number sick, setting, and whether norovirus is suspected or confirmed | CDC's National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) | within 7 business days of learning of an outbreak |
| Genetic sequences of the norovirus strain | CaliciNet | within 7 business days of receiving specimens |
States use consistent outbreak codes so the two systems' records can be linked, and often add details later through NORS — patient demographics, symptoms and outcomes.
How outbreak data flow through NoroSTAT (full flowchart). CDC
The member states
Chosen for consistent surveillance and high outbreak reporting rates: Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The data
- NoroSTAT data track current activity.
- A limited set of NORS data on all outbreaks can be explored on the BEAM Dashboard, and more can be requested — though CDC generally doesn't share information on specific people or facilities.
- CaliciNet data are open only to CDC and participating health departments; labs need CDC's permission to use them in research.
CDC's Division of Viral Diseases funds NoroSTAT through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement, which builds health departments' capacity to detect, respond to, prevent and control infectious diseases. See also: CDC's systems for reporting norovirus.
Sources
Based on "NoroSTAT Surveillance Network," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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