Epidemiology & Surveillance

Epidemiologists and microbiologists at the HPA are responsible for studying patterns of infectious disease in the UK population. Key infections are under constant surveillance, to detect significant trends, to evaluate prevention and control measures and to alert appropriate professionals and organisations to infectious disease threats. Using cutting-edge technology, microbiologists at the national reference laboratories are able to identify novel or virulent strains of specific organisms that may be causing higher levels of illness.

With the knowledge derived from this surveillance, the Centre can advise the Department of Health whether action is required to address an emergent threat such as an outbreak of measles or influenza, and to detect and monitor new, emerging and imported infections, such as SARS.

The HPA also monitors the effectiveness of a number of key national disease control programmes, for example working on the efficacy, safety and uptake of vaccines in routine use and the uptake and effectiveness of national screening, such as the programme for detecting chlamydia infection in women. These activities could lead to a change in vaccination policy or introduction of a new screening test.

The HPA works closely with microbiologists throughout the country who provide daily reports on the samples sent to them for analysis. Their collated findings are reported on the Agency's website, in the weekly Health Protection Report (HPR) (HPR) and Eurosurveillance as well as formally in peer-reviewed articles. It also monitors infections reported by general practitioners and NHS Direct (the telephone advice service) for early intelligence on infections as they arise in the community. Other health care professionals may be involved in reporting infections of public health importance to special or 'enhanced' surveillance schemes.

Last reviewed: 1 March 2010