An Integrated Syndromic Surveillance System for Monitoring Scarlet Fever in Taiwan

In 2011, Hong Kong, being so close geographically to Taiwan, had encountered an outbreak of scarlet fever. In response, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control developed a timely integrated syndromic surveillance system using daily updated data from National Health Insurance (scarlet fever ICD-9-CM code 034.1) and death certifications (cause of death text mining with keywords "scarlet fever", "group A streptococcus" or "toxic shock syndrome") since July 2011. Interagency collaborations add values to existing health data in the government and have strengthened the capacity of disease surveillance in Taiwan.