Correlation Between Influenza-Like Illness Reported by ILINet and NSSP, Kansas, 2014-2015

Kansas' primary method of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) surveillance is the U.S. Outpatient ILI Surveillance Network (ILINet), which experiences data submission delays. Kansas' method of syndromic surveillance is the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP), which provides real-time data. Data from the 2014-2015 influenza season were compared. The weekly proportions of ILI patients reported to ILINet and NSSP were highly correlated, both when comparing all data at the season's end and when comparing only data submitted before the weekly ILINet deadline. NSSP data may provide situational awareness for states whose ILINet providers do not meet the weekly submission deadline.