Disease surveillance has long been recognized as an important tool for measuring the disease burden, studying morbidity and mortality trends and early detection of outbreaks for instituting effective control measure in a timely manner.

Though the health care infrastructure in our country has grown immensely over the years, disease surveillance system did not get the desired attention resulting in frequent outbreaks.

Evolution of IDSP

IDSP was approved by cabinet committee on economic affairs in September 2004. The project was formally launched by union minister of health and family welfare on 8th November 2004.

IDSP is a decentralized, state based surveillance programme in the country. It is intended to detect early warning signals of impending outbreaks and help institute an effective response in a timely manner.

It is also expected to provide essential data to monitor progress of ongoing disease control programme and help allocate health resources efficiently.

Data collected under IDSP would also provide a rational basis for decision making and implementing public health interventions.

Components and activities of IDSP:

1. Integrating and decentralizing of surveillance activities.
2. Strengthening public health laboratories.
3. Using information technologically optimally.
4. Enhancing human resource development.

Diseases under Surveillance

CORE diseases Regular surveillance

1. Vector Borne disease – Malaria
2. Water borne diseases – Acute diarrhoeal disease (Cholera) Typhoid
3. Respiratory disease – Tuberculosis
4. Vaccine preventable Disease — Measles
5. Disease under eradication — Polio
6. Other conditions — Road traffic Accidents
7. Other international commitments – Plague, Yellow fever
8. Unusual clinical syndromes — Meningoencephalitis, Respiratory (causing death / hospitalization distress, Hemaorrhagic fever