Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections and Acute Gastroenteritis in Nursing Homes, Winter 2013–2014

As is the case every winter, long-term care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad) experience outbreaks of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) or acute gastroenteritis (AGE). These two types of illnesses have a significant impact within elderly care communities, both on residents’ health and on the disruption of services caused by staff absences. Surveillance of clusters of ARI and AGE cases at the facility level allows for early identification of the onset of an outbreak within the community, enabling rapid implementation of management measures and limiting the impact on the health of residents and staff. Reporting these events makes it possible, if necessary, to request assistance in implementing management measures and supports epidemiological surveillance. The objectives of monitoring clusters of ARI and GEA cases are to track the dynamics of outbreaks in nursing homes and the risk factors associated with these outbreaks in order to adapt control measures and reduce the impact of these clusters on residents’ morbidity and mortality.