Terms and Conditions for Data Use
Syndromic surveillance data and resources made available through this site are intended to support public health monitoring, research, and early detection of infectious diseases. Users are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when accessing or utilizing any data, reports, or materials.
Permitted Use
- Academic research and scholarly publication, with appropriate citation of the source
- Public health planning and epidemiological analysis by government agencies and authorized institutions
- Educational purposes within public health training and professional development contexts
Attribution
Any use of data or materials from the syndromic surveillance systems — including the school absenteeism information collection system and pharmacy surveillance reports — should include proper attribution. When publishing findings derived from these data, please cite the relevant system and, where applicable, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases or the Japan School Health Association as the operating body.
Restrictions
- Data may not be redistributed or resold without prior authorization
- Individual-level or personally identifiable information is not available through these systems and must not be sought
- Users must not misrepresent the data or present derived analyses in a manner that could mislead public health decision-making
Inquiries
For questions regarding data use, attribution requirements, or to request permission for uses beyond those outlined above, please refer to the Contact page. All inquiries are accepted by FAX or email.
Syndromic surveillance depends on the responsible sharing and interpretation of health-related data collected in near real time. The information made available through this platform is curated to support public health monitoring, research, and the early detection of infectious disease signals before they escalate into larger outbreaks. By establishing clear expectations for how these resources may be used, the site aims to foster a collaborative environment where analysts, researchers, and public health professionals can work together effectively while maintaining the integrity and reliability of the underlying data.
Permitted uses of the materials found here include academic research and scholarly publication, provided that the source is cited appropriately and the work remains transparent about its data origins. Government agencies and authorized institutions engaged in public health planning and epidemiological analysis are likewise encouraged to draw from these resources to inform policy decisions and preparedness strategies. Educational applications within public health training programs and professional development contexts are also welcome, as building capacity among the next generation of surveillance practitioners strengthens the entire field.
Users are expected to exercise professional judgment when interpreting syndromic surveillance outputs, recognizing that these data often reflect early, unverified signals rather than confirmed clinical diagnoses. Patterns observed in syndromic indicators should be validated through established follow-up procedures and corroborated with traditional disease reporting mechanisms where available. Analysts should also be mindful of the limitations inherent in the source data, including potential variations in reporting completeness, coding practices, and population coverage across different jurisdictions and time periods.
The responsible use of syndromic surveillance data includes protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals whose health information may be represented indirectly through aggregated indicators. Users should refrain from attempting to re-identify individuals, households, or specific care facilities from the materials provided, and should handle all datasets in accordance with applicable privacy regulations and institutional data governance policies. When sharing findings derived from these resources, practitioners are encouraged to present results at appropriate geographic and temporal granularities that support public health action without compromising sensitive information.
This platform is built on the principle that open, well-documented data sharing accelerates public health progress. Users who discover issues, inconsistencies, or opportunities for improvement in the datasets or documentation are encouraged to provide constructive feedback through the appropriate channels, helping to refine the quality and utility of the resources over time. By adhering to the guidelines outlined here and engaging with the materials in a spirit of mutual respect and scientific rigor, every user contributes to a shared mission of faster detection, clearer situational awareness, and more effective response to emerging health threats.