摘要：National active surveillance of rare diseases of childhood, including infectious and vaccine preventable diseases, genetic disorders, childhood injuries and mental health conditions is conducted by the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU). The study of communicable and vaccine preventable diseases is supported in part by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA). In addition to conducting ongoing surveillance, the APSU has demonstrated readiness to respond rapidly to emerging diseases, epidemics and pandemics that have severe impacts in children.1In 2010, the APSU conducted national surveillance for rare infections or vaccine preventable conditions resulting in significant impacts on the child and family. The conditions included: acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), acute rheumatic fever (ARF), congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV), congenital rubella, perinatal exposure to HIV, neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, congenital and neonatal varicella, severe complications of varicella, and severe complications of influenza infection. Surveillance for intussusception (IS) was conducted in response to the introduction of new rotavirus vaccines in Australia as IS was initially linked with the receipt of older rotavirus vaccines.2The APSU, together with the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) coordinates the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) system. PAEDS is a hospital based surveillance mechanism including four tertiary paediatric hospitals in four states, and complements surveillance conducted by the APSU for AFP and IS.
