Surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI)

SARI surveillance in Ireland is a syndromic sentinel hospital surveillance project, which is part of a wider European network of SARI hospitals, E-SARI-NET. There is currently only one SARI sentinel hospital site in Ireland, collecting case-based data. SARI cases are identified from new admissions through the Emergency Department, based on clinical symptoms. SARI patients are tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Epidemiological reports are produced by HPSC on a weekly basis on the incidence of persons hospitalised with SARI; epidemiological, clinical and virological data are described, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccination status and outcome. **Purpose:** 1. Monitor SARI incidence trends 2. Describe intensity of activity and severity of SARI infections 3. To identify and monitor groups at risk of severe disease 4. To assess the SARI burden of disease 5. To assess and monitor vaccine effectiveness 6. To develop recommendations for SARI surveillance. In scope: SARI surveillance monitors SARI cases admitted through the Emergency Department, based on clinical symptoms. Only one SARI hospital site was included at the time of publication. Out of sco **Coverage:** Limited to one acute hospital – St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, which has a catchment population of 304,146 (those aged 14 years and older) according to 2021 population projection. Surveillance began in July 2021; data are analysed on a weekly ongoing basis.