Active surveillance typically involves several steps:
1. Case Finding: This involves identifying individuals with symptoms of the disease under surveillance. Health workers may visit hospitals, clinics, and communities to actively search for cases. 2. Data Collection: Detailed information is collected from each identified case, including demographic data, clinical symptoms, and potential exposure sources. 3. Laboratory Testing: Specimens from suspected cases are often tested in laboratories to confirm the diagnosis. 4. Data Analysis: The collected data is analyzed to identify patterns and trends in disease occurrence. 5. Reporting: Findings are reported to public health authorities and used to inform public health actions and policies.
