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    Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet): PA Provider Page

    Last Updated: September 6, 2024

    The importance of ILINet Volunteers

    Participating in ILINet is crucial for public health. By becoming an ILINet provider, you help track flu activity at local, state, and national levels. Your contributions guide flu prevention and control measures, vaccine development, and patient care guidelines. ILINet data, combined with other flu surveillance, gives a comprehensive picture of flu activity across the U.S.

    Improving health in your own community

    ILINet ultimately protects the health of your community. Knowledge about the number of visits due to ILI helps identify outbreaks. Testing done by ILINet sites can identify the pathogens causing these outbreaks. These pathogens can include influenza, COVID-19, and RSV as well as other respiratory viruses.

    ILINet collects influenza-like illness visit data from volunteer healthcare providers.

    ILINet providers submit online weekly reports of the following:

    The total number of patients or number of patients by age group seen each week for any reason.

    The number of patients with flu-like illness, by age group.

    Optional: Submission of 2 to 5 respiratory specimens per week to the Bureau of Labs (BOL) during the high-activity weeks. We welcome the submission of more than 5 specimens with prior arrangement.

     Specimen collection kits, laboratory testing, and courier service are provided free of charge.

     Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Case Definition

    1 ) Fever (≥ 100°F [37.8°C], recorded) AND 2) Cough and/or sore throat

    Eligible Provider Types Include:

    • Emergency Medicine
    • Family Practice
    • Infectious Disease
    • Internal Medicine
    • Pediatrics
    • Student Health 
    • Urgent Care
    • OB/GYN

    NOT Eligible: Elementary, middle, or high school health centers and institutional settings like nursing homes or prisons.

    By volunteering, you play a key role in monitoring and combating the flu, helping to protect public health and save lives.

    Join ILINet today and make a difference! Sign up here!