Validity and timeliness of syndromic influenza surveillance during the autumn/winter wave of A (H1N1) influenza 2009: results of emergency medical dispatch, ambulance and emergency department data from three European regions

In this study ED data exhibited the most favourable performance in terms of validity and timeliness for syndromic influenza surveillance, along with EP data for large catchment areas. For the other data sources performance assessment delivered no clear results. The study shows that routinely collected data from EMS providers can augment and enhance public health surveillance of influenza by providing information during health crises in which such information must be both timely and readily obtainable.