Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

Healthcare providers are invited to participate in VDH’s Sentinel Surveillance Program to help monitor influenza trends and to better understand how influenza, and other respiratory viruses, are affecting our communities. 

 Please join us in this important public health work! 

Each respiratory season, VDH partners with select healthcare providers to help enhance influenza surveillance efforts in Virginia.  

Participating sites are asked to submit respiratory specimens weekly from patients with an influenza-like illness (ILI), which is defined as fever greater than or equal to 100°F (measured at home or provider’s office) and a cough and/or a sore throat. These specimens are tested at the state public health laboratory, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), for respiratory viruses. Participating sites will receive a summarized report based on the submitted specimens tested for respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV, adenovirus, and SARS-CoV-2. 

This program helps VDH determine which influenza strains are circulating in Virginia, monitor for any novel strains, and provide data for influenza vaccine composition decisions.  

All providers that see patients with acute respiratory illnesses are welcome to participate, including: 

  • Outpatient centers 
  • Urgent care centers 
  • Federally qualified health centers 
  • Student health centers 
  • Pediatric facilities 
  • Emergency departments 

Please direct any questions about the influenza surveillance program to flu@vdh.virginia.gov or contact your local health department at www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts/

Last Updated: September 19, 2024