Border Region Influenza Surveillance​​

The Office of Binational Border Health monitors virologic and syndromic surveillance data for influenza from sentinel sites in the southern border region of California.  These sentinel sites are located in San Diego, Imperial County, and some parts of Riverside County.  On a weekly basis sentinel sites report the total number of patients screened for influenza-like-illness (ILI) and what proportion of those met the case definition for ILI.  Respiratory specimens are also collected for further laboratory testing.  Laboratory tests include the Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing (PCR) test as well as clinic-based rapid test.  Laboratories conducing testing of samples from sentinel sites via PCR include the following: Naval Health Research Laboratory (NHRC), County of San Diego Health and Human Services Public Health Laboratory, and CDPH Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL).  Results of syndromic ILI activity and laboratory testing is summarized and incorporated into the statewide Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Weekly Report.