Table 1 Characteristics of influenza-like illness surveillance system in Tunisia

Syndrome

Influenza-like Illness (ILI)

Case definition before 2014

Outpatient with:

• fever (38 °C)

• and cough or sore throat

• and onset less than five days prior to presentation

• in the absence of a specific diagnosis

Case definition after 2014

Acute respiratory infection with:

• measured fever (≥ 38 °C)

• and cough

• and onset within the past 10 days

Catchment population

Out-patient

Sites specialties

Primary Health Care Centers

Number of sentinel sites

Before 2014: 268 sites

After 2014: 113 sites*

Geographic scope

24 governorates (all the country)

Coordinating body

Primary Health Care Direction:

National Influenza Program

Specimen Collection

Nasopharyngeal swabs

Surveillance objectives

•Detection of influenza activity

• Identification of circulating respiratory viruses

• Identifying viruses for vaccine selection

• Planning vaccination activities for prevention