The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) is a laboratory-based system that monitors temporal and geographic patterns associated with the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV), respiratory and enteric adenoviruses, and rotavirus. Influenza specimen information, also reported to NREVSS, are integrated with CDC Influenza Surveillance. Data are collected from collaborating university and community hospital laboratories, selected state and county public health laboratories, and commercial laboratories. These participating laboratories report virus detections, isolations and electron microscopy results on a weekly basis.

NREVSS data are made available to public health professionals, health care providers, and the public. In the past, NREVSS data have helped define and describe the epidemiologic features of respiratory and enteric viruses. NREVSS also serves as a timely indicator of laboratory methods being used by collaborating institutions. Annual summaries and alerts based on NREVSS data have been published periodically in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and in peer-reviewed journals.

We anticipate that NREVSS will continue to play an important role in describing the temporal and geographic patterns of respiratory and enteric viruses--including deviations from the expected patterns. NREVSS will also be useful in efforts to treat, prevent, and control diseases caused by these agents. For example, information on the temporal features of RSV circulation in a community can help infection-control practitioners implement specific preventive measures and clinicians determine the optimal timing for RSV prophylaxis.

NREVSS has proven to be a relatively simple and practical surveillance system that has been and will continue to be an important part of CDC's efforts to prevent and control respiratory and enteric virus diseases.

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