RSPF24 - Session 6: Evolving and adapting epidemiological surveillance methods

Evolving and adapting epidemiological surveillance methods: where technological innovations meet reality on the ground

Epidemiological surveillance needs to evolve continually to adapt to the problems and contexts it addresses. Technological and methodological advances frequently lead to the development of new tools that can be adapted for surveillance uses to improve our vision in the field and guide action. Certain situations require surveillance methods which, while not new, diverge from the processes already in place. New tools may improve our surveillance capabilities; on the other hand, they may not be suited to the specific features of the subject. How can we assess whether an unconventional method or tool might be useful for epidemiological surveillance?

The purpose of this session is to discuss the integration of new or unconventional tools into surveillance processes. Using concrete examples, it will offer a nuanced vision of these methods: their potential for adding value to public health but also their limitations. A round table discussion will complete this session, looking at the criteria that a tool must fulfil in order to be useful for surveillance and to complement existing systems.

MODERATORS
Ami Yamada, Santé publique France
Jean-Philippe Amat, French National Agency for Food Safety, Environmental and Workplace Health

PROGRAMME

Creating a community monitoring system against the backdrop of a water crisis in Mayotte
Annabelle Lapostolle, Santé publique France

Detecting arboviruses in the environment: simple, fast, and non-invasive with MX
Dr. Albin Fontaine, IRBA Marseille

Pathogen genomics – past, present and future
Dr. Susan Hopkins,UKHSA, London (UK)

Leveraging social media data for public health threat detection: from manual monitoring to prototyping and escalating the automated monitoring
Laura Espinosa, ECDC, Stockholm (Sweden)

Round table with all speakers