The World Health Organization (WHO) defines surveillance as systematic ongoing collection,
collation, and analysis of data and the timely dissemination of information to those who need to
know so that action can be taken. CCBH conducts disease surveillance in the following ways:
CCBH and the Ohio Department of Health maintain a database of case and lab reports of
reportable infectious diseases help public health personnel to recognize clusters or outbreaks of
communicable diseases.
RODS and NRDM: Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS) is open-source public
health surveillance software. RODS collects and analyzes disease surveillance data in real time.
The Ohio Department of Health and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health use RODS to examine
de-identified emergency department visits from local hospitals and monitors increases in patients
with symptoms of flu, respiratory illnesses, diarrhea, and skin rashes. Sales of over the counter
medications are also monitored through the National Retail Data Monitor (NRDM). This information
helps public health officials to identify potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Influenza Surveillance: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health collects influenza
surveillance data from October through May and report on Cuyahoga County influenza activity each
week during this season. The influenza surveillance data consists of several different
components including Cuyahoga County school absenteeism, over the counter medication sales and
laboratory surveillance. Enhanced influenza surveillance helps the Cuyahoga County Board of Health
to determine when and where influenza activity is occurring and to assess the impact of influenza
in Cuyahoga County.
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