This Health Advisory provides information about the early, elevated respiratory disease incidence in the 2022-2023 winter season. Diseases caused by multiple viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, and SARS-CoV-2, are placing a strain on healthcare systems. The importance of optimizing respiratory virus prevention and treatment measures, including prompt vaccination and antiviral treatment, is highlighted, in addition to action recommendations for health care providers.
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Disease Tracking and Surveillance
Disease surveillance helps us detect disease cases, understand burden of disease and risk factors, provide the basis for timely and informed decision-making, guide control measures, and monitor impacts. Since the onset of COVID-19, surveillance efforts have worked to provide real-time tracking and forecast data, despite challenges with diagnostic capacity, case reporting, insufficient contact tracing, and fragmented data systems. COVID-19 has highlighted the need to invest in modern data systems, expand and skill up the workforce, and ensure data reporting and interpretation retain high ethical and epidemiological standards.