HIV Case Surveillance Overview
HIV Case Surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, dissemination and evaluation of population based information of persons with HIV Infection. HIV Case Surveillance is the primary source of surveillance data and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of the program is to monitor and characterize the HIV epidemic, its determinants and impact, and to guide public health action at federal, state, and local levels.
Program Significance and Goals
The HIV Surveillance program is a part of the National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS), which is conducted in all fifty state health departments and in six independently funded local health departments. Within the HIV Surveillance Unit, Epidemiology Consultants collect and analyze CDC defined data across the five reporting regions of Virginia. With the cooperation of health care providers, hospitals and laboratories, the Consultants conduct active and passive surveillance activities, which include site visits, electronic medical chart abstractions, review of laboratory reports, coordination with Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) and other testing and medical care entities. Surveillance data is utilized to:
- Strengthen the nationwide capacity to monitor the epidemic
- Develop and implement effective HIV prevention interventions
- Evaluate the completeness of HIV reporting in Virginia
- Allocate health care resources to the areas of greatest need in the state
For information on the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS (DHAP) Prevention Strategic Plan, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap/strategicplan/index.html. For a downloadable copy of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/policies/nhas.html.
HIV Statistics and Reports
For a comprehensive overview of HIV data and trends in Virginia, view Virginia’s HIV Data and Statistics page.
HIV Testing Recommendations 2019: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/10/2021/02/Provider_Messaging_2019_Final.pdf.
Last Updated: December 1, 2021.