Sentinel GP respiratory surveillance Previously Sentinel Flu Surveillance

The sentinel GP surveillance system is a collaborative surveillance project involving sentinel GPs, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL).

Currently, the sentinel GP network monitors patients consulting with influenza-like illness (ILI)/COVID-19 symptomatic patients. The influenza and COVID-19 case definitions are published on the HPSC website. A combined nasal and throat swab is taken from symptomatic patients and sent to the NVRL for PCR testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and ORVs. HPSC collate and analyse clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data and produce weekly/monthly surveillance reports.

Purpose: 1. Monitor COVID-19/influenza-like illness (ILI) disease incidence in the community 2. Provide an early warning system for the circulation of influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses (ORV) with epidemic/pandemic potential 3. Monitor the epidemiology of COVID-19, influenza, RSV and ORV in the community and to determine which age groups and risk groups are most affected, so that targeted public health interventions (vaccines and antivirals) can

Coverage: Data collection commenced in 2000. Data collection is weekly (Monday-Sunday) and runs year-round.

As of 8th August 2022, the Irish sentinel GP network comprised of 61 general practices (including 173 general practitioners) nationally and covered approximately 6.9% of the national population (2016