The EIP network was used to establish population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed, influenza-related hospitalizations. This system was expanded during the 2009 influenza pandemic to include additional surveillance sites and is now known as FluSurv-NET. A powerful attribute of this surveillance is that key data are collected and submitted in near real time to CDC to provide situational awareness during an influenza season. The system was enhanced during the 2009 influenza pandemic and proved to be extremely helpful for monitoring disease burden, severity, and at-risk groups. FluSurv-NET is also expanding into measuring health disparities and pathogen genomics. FluSurv-NET has proven to be a comprehensive yet efficient system for measuring severe influenza in the United States and serves as an exceptional and nimble platform for investigating questions of public health importance with regard to severe influenza.
Dr. Chaves is the medical director for FluSurv-NET and a medical epidemiologist in the Influenza Division at CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Her main research interest is the epidemiology of influenza and other viral vaccine-preventable diseases.