Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement Program
Funding Initiated In 2001

FY05 Funding April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006 - $575,164

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

• Attend CDC's Conference to ensure up to date awareness.

Food Safety

• By May 31, 2005, the Epidemiology Foodborne Point Person will have attended the joint foodborne outbreak and PusleNet meetings in Seattle.
• By March 31, 2006, Epidemiology staff will have attended trainings at CDC on outbreak investigations.
• Throughout FY2005, ASVL will offer testing for noroviruses in consultation with Epidemiology; submit samples to CDC; and refine and disseminate submission protocols.
• Throughout FY2005, ASPHL will send the desired numbers and types of isolates to CDC.

Hepatitis Prevention and Control

• By December 31, 2005, the Coordinator will have created a statewide advisory group to assist in planning of the development of a State Strategic Hepatitis Plan.
• By March 31, 2006, Epidemiology will have written additional HCV–related Bulletins.

Influenza Surveillance and Response

• Throughout FY2005, Epidemiology will ensure that sentinel surveillance providers continue to obtain cultures, and report ILI clusters or other unusual illness possibly related to influenza.
• Throughout FY2005, Epidemiology will work with healthcare providers recruited to serve as year round sentinel influenza sites.
• By January 31, 2006, ASVL will have the capacity to perform molecular testing for influenza and related viruses.

National Electronic Disease Surveillance System

• By March 31, 2006, the NEDSS team will have begun to plan possible data migration from Epidemiology's current databases to NESS standards based architecture.
• By September 30, 2005, Epidemiology will have assembled the NEDSS Personnel Team.

West Nile Virus

• Throughout the summer season of FY2005, ASVL will test both human and avian specimens for evidence of WNV.
• Throughout FY2005, Epidemiology will maintain a WNV website.
• Throughout FY2005, Epidemiology and ASVL staff will be available to deliver WNV related presentation or information to healthcare providers, media, and other interested organizations.

CORE

• By March 31, 2006, two members of the Alaska Division of Public Health will have attended the ICEID conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Contact Information and Links

Dr. Beth Funk
DHSS, Alaska Division of Public Health
Section of Epidemiology
3601 C Street, Suite 540
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services—Public Health Website: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/