A computer network for the surveillance of communicable diseases: the French experiment.

The description and first results of the French Communicable diseases Network are reported. The network, initiated in November 1984, currently includes the National Department of Health, the local health offices and various clinical, biological, and epidemiological partners. Surveillance of influenza, viral hepatitis, acute urethritis, measles, and mumps is based upon reports from sentinel general practitioners throughout France who are equipped with terminals and can communicate their data on a 24-hour basis. The network distributes electronic bulletins summarizing the surveillance data, the regional statistics concerning other diseases, and epidemiological and administrative news. Electronic mail is used for data validation and enhances communication between the parties of the network.