[Practice in epidemiologic surveillance: between the general and the specific].

This study analyses the perspectives of the organization of epidemiological surveillance (ES) in two kinds of organizations. The first is a set of undifferentiated practices; the second is a set of specific practices carried out in the local health system of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Federal State. Both organizations are described in general terms and discussed according to the view of local health professionals and professionals of the epidemiological surveillance.