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. 2021 Apr 12:149:e115.
doi: 10.1017/S095026882100073X.

Ten years of weekly epidemiological teleconference (EpiLag) - an effective and time-efficient tool for infectious disease event information, Germany, 2009-2018

Astrid Milde-Busch  1 , Nadine Zeitlmann  1 , Inge Mücke  1 , Andreas Gilsdorf  1 , Ute Rexroth  1 , Maria An der Heiden  1 ; EpiLag-Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Ten years of weekly epidemiological teleconference (EpiLag) - an effective and time-efficient tool for infectious disease event information, Germany, 2009-2018

Astrid Milde-Busch et al. Epidemiol Infect. .

Abstract

In 2009, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the 16 German federal state public health authorities (PHAs) established a weekly epidemiological teleconference (EpiLag) to discuss infectious disease (ID) events and foster horizontal and vertical information exchange. We present the procedure, discussed ID topics and evaluation results of EpiLag after 10 years. We analysed attendance, duration of EpiLag and the frequency of reported events. Participants (RKI and state PHA) were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with logistics, contents and usefulness of EpiLag (Likert scales). Between 2009 and 2018, RKI hosted 484 EpiLag conferences with a mean duration of 25 min (range: 4-60) and high participation (range: 9-16; mean: 15 PHAs). Overall, 2975 ID events (39% international, 9% national and 52% subnational) were presented (mean: 6.1 per EpiLag), most frequently on measles (18%), salmonellosis (8%) and influenza (5%). All responding participants (14/16 PHAs and 9/9 at RKI) were satisfied with the EpiLag's organization and minutes and deemed EpiLag useful for an overview and information distribution on ID events relevant to Germany. EpiLag is time efficient, easily applicable and useful for a low-threshold event communication. It supports PHAs in crises and strengthens the network of surveillance stakeholders. We recommend its implementation to other countries or sectors.

Keywords: Communication; events; infectious diseases; surveillance; tool.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
The German mandatory surveillance system for infectious diseases.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Selection criteria for international events to be reported during the EpiLag, Germany, 2009–2018.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Overview of the weekly EpiLag procedures (at RKI), Germany, 2009–2018.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Answers assessing the usefulness of the EpiLag for state public health authorities and RKI participants, Germany, 2009–2018.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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