University of Calgary team tracking national respiratory virus trends among kids
University of Calgary researchers are at the forefront of a national surveillance system that tracks respiratory virus trends among Canadian children seeking care in hospitals from across the country. This program, called SPRINT-Kids, involves collaboration with 15 pediatric hospitals in eight provinces to monitor infectious diseases like RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. Additionally, the system keeps tabs on adverse reactions to immunizations and vaccine effectiveness.
The data collected for the Public Health Agency of Canada is reported weekly, offering a real-time perspective on active infections, at-risk demographics, transmission patterns, and hotspots. Dr. Stephen Freedman, a professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine, emphasized how the system serves as a sentinel warning system to detect emerging trends and allocate resources accordingly.
The University of Calgary team took over the monitoring project after a previous pediatric surveillance contract expired. Dr. Freedman and his team have expanded the surveillance system to include children seen in emergency rooms, recognizing that a significant portion of pediatric cases are treated and discharged from these facilities.
The program gathers comprehensive data on symptoms, illness severity, vaccination status, treatment, tests, and outcomes. Dr. Freedman highlighted the importance of tracking infections as they spread from coast to coast, assisting in healthcare staffing, planning, surge capacity, and community awareness. This monitoring not only informs public policy and hospital planning but also empowers parents with information on circulating viruses and the importance of vaccination.
The surveillance system is also equipped to monitor emerging threats like avian influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia, commonly known as walking pneumonia. Furthermore, it tracks adverse immunization reactions, including rare cases like myocarditis, to assess vaccine efficacy and safety.
The team’s data will be featured on the federal government’s weekly respiratory virus surveillance report and the University of Calgary’s SPRINT-Kids website. This information is crucial for developing public health recommendations and mitigating severe illness in children.
Overall, the University of Calgary’s leading role in pediatric respiratory virus surveillance underscores its commitment to public health and proactive disease monitoring. The collaboration with pediatric hospitals nationwide ensures a comprehensive understanding of infectious disease trends and supports evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.
