02-19144. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project: State Influenza Coordinators Survey—New—National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC.) Influenza epidemics in the United States are associated with approximately 20,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations each year; influenza pandemics are responsible for dramatic increases in morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to detect “novel” viruses, changes in circulating strains, and the clinical impact of circulating strains, surveillance systems must present a broad picture of influenza activity. Data on morbidity and mortality are essential and must be reported in a timely manner.

Influenza Surveillance at CDC consists of four components: U.S. Sentinel Physician Network, State and Territorial Epidemiologist Reports, 122 Cities Mortality Report, and the WHO/NRVESS Laboratory Reports. Each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia participate in at least one of the CDC's four surveillance components, however, additional surveillance activities within the states are currently unclear. In order to develop or enhance current Influenza surveillance activities at CDC and prepare for the future, including possible pandemics, it is crucial that we are aware of any existing surveillance systems at the state level. We are proposing a survey of state health departments, specifically each state's Influenza Surveillance Coordinator in order to ascertain the nature of flu surveillance in his/her state as well as how prepared the state is for things to come. The data collected will be used to improve and/or enhance national surveillance efforts.

The questionnaire that will be used focuses on state surveillance systems as well as pandemic preparedness. Questions will be asked regarding current surveillance including: Sentinel Physicians Systems, Nursing home surveillance, and School Absenteeism. There is no cost to respondents.

Respondents	No. of respondents	No. of responses/respondent	Average burden/response (in hours)	Total burden (in hours)
State health departments	53	1	30/60	27
Total				27

Dated: July 23, 2002.

Nancy E. Cheal,

Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.