Ziektebewaking

Ziektebewaking, also known as disease surveillance, is the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for public health action. It serves as an early warning system for potential outbreaks and other public health threats, allowing for timely and effective interventions. This process involves monitoring various sources of health information, including routine health service data, laboratory reports, syndromic surveillance (monitoring symptoms rather than diagnosed diseases), and environmental factors.

The primary goals of ziektebewaking are to detect unusual disease patterns, identify the emergence of new infectious diseases, track the spread of known diseases, assess the burden of disease in a population, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs and interventions. By understanding disease trends, public health officials can allocate resources, implement control measures, and inform policy decisions.

Ziektebewaking is crucial for both infectious and non-communicable diseases. For infectious diseases, it aids in preventing and controlling epidemics. For non-communicable diseases, it helps in identifying risk factors, monitoring disease prevalence, and guiding strategies for prevention and management. The data collected through ziektebewaking is essential for national and international public health efforts, contributing to global health security.