Brief history of laboratory-based epidemiological surveillance in the Mexican Institute for Social Security

Abstract

Epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases has had a cross-cutting role that has contributed to scientific advancement, knowledge generation, and, above all, to organizing and focusing public health and medical care activities in the country. We refer to laboratory-based epidemiological surveillance. In this regard, the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS according to its initials in Spanish) has not fallen short of expectations with the creation of a network of laboratories for laboratory-based epidemiological surveillance in different states, with recognition of their technical competence by the Ministry of Health. These laboratories were created following the need arising from the pandemic emergency of the influenza virus in 2009 and year after year their diagnostic capacity has expanded, extending their diagnostic reach to various vector-borne pathologies and vaccine-preventable diseases that are important in Mexico. This document summarizes the main events, challenges, and successes experienced by the Institute's network of epidemiological surveillance laboratories since its creation. The initial executor is the operational staff of the medical unit, who are those in direct contact with the sick person.