Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement Program
Funding Initiated In 1997

FY05 Funding July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 - $514,515

Activities Proposed for FY 05

Antimicrobial Resistance, Food Safety, Hepatitis Prevention and Control, Influenza Surveillance and Response, National Electronic Disease Surveillance System, West Nile Virus, and General Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity

Key Performance Indicators

Antimicrobial Resistance

• Institute active surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease in laboratories representing at least 20 percent of the hospital beds in Utah by the end of 2005 in collaboration with LHDs.
• Determine the incidence rate of invasive pneumococcal disease at actively reporting sites compared with passively reporting sites.
• Perform post presentation evaluations with school staff and daycare staff.
• Perform random surveys among community based physicians with regard to changes they have seen in patient demands for antibiotics.
• Report the number of materials distributed at each community event (kid's fairs, Head Start programs, health fairs, etc.).

Food Safety

• At least 70 percent of LHD investigators will participate in case investigation/disease plan training via the web.
• At least five foodborne or enteric disease outbreaks will be identified through analysis of LHD disease reports. This will act as an estimate of improvements to individual case investigations.
• All (100 percent) of LHD personnel that have not yet been trained on the use of EFORS will receive that training.
• The success of PulseNet Area Laboratory participation for the UPHL will be measured by the number of PFGE microbiologists trained within our area, technical issues, discussed, isolates tested for other states, and support provided for other laboratories.
• Every 20th Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157 isolate and every S. Typhi, Listeria, and Vibrio isolate will be submitted to CDC for antimicrobial susceptibility testing through the NARMS program.

Hepatitis Prevention and Control

• An assessment of HIV/STD counseling and testing sites will be conducted to determine feasibility of integrating HCV testing and counseling in those facilities.
• The HCV Coordinator will ensure that 50 percent of staff at facilities that can integrate HCV testing and counseling are trained to conduct activities by the end of 2005.
• The HCV Coordinator will participate in HCV Advisory Council meetings quarterly.
• An enhanced mechanism will be established to use laboratory repots for identification of persons chronically infected with HCV and HBV.

Influenza Surveillance and Response

• UPHL will provide monthly updates to the State Influenza Coordinator regarding sentinel clinic use of UPHL testing resources.
• Attempt to ensure that at least 25 percent of incoming influenza cultures from sentinel clinics are from rural counties.
• Assure that at least 75 percent of influenza culture tests are set up within two days of sample collection.
• Respiratory specimen tests for influenza that fall outside of the normal influenza testing season will be evaluated and documented.
• The State Influenza Coordinator will work with UPHL to evaluate criteria such as travel history, which will help to identify potential samples for testing at UPHL, aiding in year round surveillance for influenza and potential emerging respiratory infections such as avian influenza and/or SARS.

National Electronic Disease Surveillance System

• Success will be measured by continued progress towards implementation and maintenance of PHIN and NEDSS complaint systems in Utah, as evidenced by successful completion and maintenance of critical functions of each NEDSS staff member.
• NETSS will be completely phased out and replaced by the SERPH system by December 2005.

West Nile Virus

• There will be successful submission and testing of suitable avian specimens in terms of dead birds (oral swab and tissue based submission) and live birds from banding sites. Avian specimens will be received from at least 85 percent of counties.
• There will be successful participation in CDC studies on pregnancy risk, pediatric cases, and organ transplant involvement in WNV transmission.
• There will be accurate, frequent, and timely ArboNet entry throughout the 2005 season.

General Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity

• The Utah viral hepatitis plan will be implemented by December 2007.

Contact Information and Links

Teresa Garrett, RN, MS
Director, Epidemology and Laboratory Services
Director, Public Health Nursing
Utah Department of Health
228 N. 1460 W., P.O. Box 142104
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2104

Utah Department of Health: http://health.utah.gov/