New Mexico's Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet)
What is ILINet?
The New Mexico Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Program (ILINet) is a collaborative effort between healthcare providers, the New Mexico Department of Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data reported by ILINet providers, in combination with other influenza surveillance data, provide a picture of influenza virus and ILI activity in the U. S. and New Mexico
What data do ILINet providers collect?
ILINet providers report the number of patient visits each week and the number of patient visits for ILI by age group (0-4 years, 5-24 years, 25-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65+ years) year-round.
Reports are submitted on a weekly basis via the internet or by fax to a central data repository at CDC. Most providers report that it takes less than 30 minutes a week to compile and report their data. In addition, ILINet providers are asked to submit specimens from a subset of ILI patients to the New Mexico Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) for virus isolation. Virus transport kits for this purpose are provided free of charge.
Case definition for Influenza-like Illness (ILI):
- Fever (>100°F or >37.8°C) AND
- Cough and/or sore throat (regardless of any other diagnostic test result)
Who can be an ILINet provider?
Physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners of any specialty and in any type of practice are eligible to be ILINet providers.
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Practice
- Infectious Disease
- Internal Medicine
- OB/GYN
- Pediatrics
- Student Health
- Urgent Care
Practice settings that are not eligible are elementary, middle, or high school health centers, and any type of institutional setting such as nursing homes and prisons.
Why volunteer?
Seasonal influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality each year. Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and routine surveillance improves our ability to monitor the circulation of influenza virus strains in the community. Surveillance for influenza aids with the detection of new and emerging strains of influenza viruses.
ILINet contributes crucial data for monitoring the course of influenza virus activity on the local, state and national level. ILINet data, in combination with other surveillance data, can be used to guide prevention and control activities, vaccine strain selection, and patient care. ILINet providers receive feedback on the data submitted, and data are summarized and reported along with other influenza surveillance mechanisms in the New Mexico Respiratory Report.
ILINet providers also receive free subscriptions to CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. The most important reason to volunteer is that the data provided are critical for protecting the public’s health.
How to Sign Up?
To participate in this valuable program, please fill out this webform. Alternatively, you can reach us:
- By email at: respiratory.disease@doh.nm.gov
- By phone through the New Mexico Department of Health hotline: 505-827-0006. Ask for the Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist.