The Ministry of Health in Cyprus has announced the operation of the National Network of Health Observers in primary healthcare, Sentinel, with the aim of epidemiological surveillance of respiratory viruses.
According to the press release, the Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases Unit is proceeding with a significant upgrade in the collection of epidemiological data through a digitised process as part of the reorganization of the existing surveillance system.
The project’s expenditure is funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The primary goal of the network is the surveillance of respiratory viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV) to enable the study of the seasonality of these viruses and at the same time to achieve the detection and early warning of possible epidemic outbreaks in Cyprus.
Furthermore, the information will be used for real-time public health measures and for the development of medium to long-term public health strategies.
Source: Cyprus News Agency