Summary

The need for real-time data and the ability to anticipate the evolution of an abnormal health situation several days in advance was highlighted during the 2003 heat wave. The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) subsequently developed a syndromic surveillance system based on facilities capable of providing detailed daily data on their activity. These data sources enabled the InVS Regional Unit in the Rhône-Alpes region (Cire) to initially produce a weekly “Point Epidémio” report each summer. A new weekly Epidemiological Report was developed during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) epidemic. Following these various events and recognizing a need for information at the regional level, the Cire decided to publish a fortnightly Epidemiological Report covering the monitoring of several seasonal conditions.Information and feedback from the Cire’s regional partners are shared through this Epidemic Update. The primary objective of this survey is to assess reader satisfaction. The secondary objectives are, on the one hand, to better understand the profile of Epidemic Update readers and, on the other hand, to identify changes and improvements to be made to this publication.