BACKGROUND:
The Arizona Department of Health Services developed the Secure Integrated Response Electronic Network (SIREN), Arizona’s Health Alert Network, to facilitate urgent communication between state and local health departments. SIREN allows for the immediate dissemination of potentially-sensitive information and provides a way to respond and post documents. The influenza season of 2003-2004 began early and received intense media attention with resulting increased demand for vaccine. Rapid communication from state and local health department officials to health care providers was critical.

OBJECTIVE:
To describe the use of SIREN in facilitating communications with local health officials and the health community during the influenza season of 2003-2004.

METHOD:
Under the guidance of the Emergency Response Group, the Department coordinated influenza response efforts. Through SIREN, faxes, e-mails, web postings, conference calls, and alerts were rapidly disseminated to the health community.

RESULT:
The Department provided timely information to local health departments, health facilities, schools and other health professionals. This included: surveillance data, vaccine updates, clinical recommendations, and requests for reports of early influenza cases or pediatric influenza-associated deaths. Information was sent by e-mail to local health officers and other local health officials in pre-defined public health roles, as well as infection control practitioners and infectious disease doctors; documents for a broader audience of clinicians were sent by fax. Documents from CDC and ADHS were posted on SIREN for local health officials’ review and feedback.

CONCLUSION:
SIREN enhanced the timeliness and ease with which we disseminated information to local health and medical professionals during the 2003-2004 influenza season. Our experience with influenza illustrates how a Public Health Information Network (PHIN)-compatible communications system developed for emergency response can be used effectively when rapid dissemination of health information is critical. Up-to-date contact listings are crucial.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Application of PHIN-compatible Health Alert Network during a period of intense influenza activity and demand for vaccine.