Surveillance
The Surveillance Program monitors the pattern of transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, and specific sexually transmissible infections in Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, State and Territory health authorities and collaborating networks.
Detailed analyses and interpretation of recent trends in new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections, and estimates of HIV and hepatitis C prevalence and incidence in population subgroups of lower and higher risk of infection are published in
HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia Annual Surveillance Report. The figures published in each issue of the Annual Surveillance Report are available as a downloadable file. Public release datasets on new HIV diagnoses are also available for
download.
While the pattern of diagnosis of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is reported in the Annual Surveillance Report, more detailed analyses and interpretations of national surveillance data for these infections are published separately in a single comprehensive report, for use by organisations and individuals with an interest in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Bloodborne viral and sexually transmitted infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Surveillance Report has been released annually since 2007. The report is published by the Kirby Institute for the purposes of stimulating and supporting discussion on ways forward in minimising the transmission risk of bloodborne viruses and STIs as well as the personal and social consequences of these infections within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Endemic trachoma remains a concern in Aboriginal communities in Australia. The Australian Government’s commitment to the WHO’s GET2020 trachoma elimination campaign resulted in a substantial increase in funding for jurisdictional-based activities in 2009-10. This has resulted in increased community and population screening and treatment coverage, additional health promotion resources and exercises, and an increased focus on hygiene and environmental health. In principle, these measures should ensure a continued downward trend of endemic trachoma in the years to come. The National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit (NTSRU) is responsible for trachoma data collation, analysis and reporting related to the ongoing evaluation of trachoma control strategies in Australia. It operates under contract with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and its primary focus is the three jurisdictions that have been funded to undertake trachoma control activities. The NTSRU has been based at The Kirby Institute from late 2010.
During 2011 the SEPPH collaborated with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in its first publication of the surveillance report, Transfusion-transmissible infections in Australia 2011 Surveillance Report. This report analyses data from the national surveillance system for blood donors maintained electronically by the Blood Service. It aims to provide evidence to inform further revision and evaluation of donor selection guidelines and donation testing algorithms in Australia. In addition, the residual risk estimates provide an important tool particularly for clinical stakeholders involved in patient consent for donation. Estimates of the risk of undiagnosed transfusion transmissible infection in donated blood guide blood donor selection criteria and patient consent for transfusion.
The Surveillance Program of The Kirby Institute is a collaborating unit of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare