Travel | Core Data Elements for Case Notification
The Travel data class captures information about an individual’s travel, including locations visited, dates, and potential exposure periods, during a time period relevant to a disease under investigation. Travel history is important for understanding disease transmission patterns and identifying potential exposure risks, but how it is collected and structured varies widely across surveillance systems and conditions.
To balance the need for consistency in case notifications with the flexibility to accommodate condition-specific requirements, standardized definitions were developed for a set of summary-level data elements, as well as a repeating group for detailed travel information.
Core Surveillance Data Elements in the Travel Data Class
Data Element |
Definition |
|---|---|
Data ElementInternational Travel |
DefinitionIndicator that person spent time outside of the USA states or territories in a time period relevant to the condition |
Data ElementDomestic Travel |
DefinitionIndicator that the person spent time domestically outside of their state/territory of residence, but within the USA states or territories, in a time period relevant to the condition |
Data ElementSpecify Different Travel Exposure Window |
DefinitionIf the travel exposure window used by the jurisdiction is different from that stated in the CDC travel exposure questions for the condition, specify the time interval in days here. Otherwise, leave blank. |
Data ElementStart repeating group: |
|
Data ElementInternational Destination(s) of Recent Travel |
DefinitionInternational destination or countries where the patient spent time |
Data ElementDomestic Destination(s) of Recent Travel |
DefinitionDomestic destination, state/territory(s) where the person spent time outside of the state/territory of residence |
Data ElementReason(s) for Travel |
DefinitionReason(s) for time spent outside of the jurisdiction of residence |
Data ElementDate of Arrival to Travel Destination |
DefinitionDate of arrival at destination |
Data ElementDate of Departure from Travel Destination |
DefinitionDate of departure from destination |
For complete definitions, value sets, data structure notes and implementation recommendations, please review the full document drafted by the Data Standardization Working Group (DSWG).