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

FY05 Funding April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006 - $852,412

Activities Proposed for FY 05

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

Key Performance Indicators

Antimicrobial Resistance

• CCHD staff has successfully obtained antimicrobial resistance data from two major Clark County laboratories and is in the process of obtaining a third data source.
• Notices are sent out by email to providers twice per month alerting them to CME and CEU courses on antibiotic resistance. NAA assisted Roche Pharmaceuticals with hand washing information, including posters, handouts, invitations, and publicity for their three day conference regarding MRSA.
• A CME program on antibiotics for physicians, sponsored by Ortho-McNeill and NAA, has been planned for northern Nevada in the first quarter of 2005.
• The Public awareness Subcommittee continues to meet monthly.
• Outreach was made to over 2,000 teachers at the Teachers Health Trust Fair in October.
• Attend annual CDC conference.

Food Safety

• Food-borne illness is currently being monitored through on going surveillance of the food-borne illness complaints database.
• Sentinel site gastroenteritis (GE) surveillance is received from an average of 40 sentinel sites. Data is monitored weekly for any increases above historical limits and newsletters are written and distributed to health care providers if historical limits are exceeded.

Hepatitis Prevention and Control

• Hepatitis data is received electronically from one major commercial laboratory and is incorporated into the chronic database for monthly analysis.
• Information obtained from site visits is being compiled an made available to public and private providers in a resource directory. The directory is used to provide resources for those infected with Hepatitis.
• NSHD has completed the state's first statewide strategic plan on Hepatitis and has made it available the public.

Influenza Surveillance and Response

• CCHD currently participates in the CDC sentinel site influenza surveillance system during the CDC-designated influenza season (October through April). Data is reported to the State Influenza Coordinator on a weekly basis.
• Newsletters are written and distributed to healthcare providers on a weekly basis during peak influenza activity and on a less frequent schedule when influenza activity is at normal background rates.

West Nile Virus

• The majority of sampling has been completed to date.
• More than 25 other positive horses were tested at UC-Davis Veterinary Laboratory and reported to the Nevada State Veterinarian.

General Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity

• The addition of a Chief Epidemiologist will provide technical support in epidemiology to all internal staff.

Contact Information and Links

Heidi Sakelarios
Health Program Manager
Public Health Preparedness Program
Nevada State Health Division
505 E. King St., Room 204
Carson City, NV 89701

Nevada State Health Division: http://health2k.state.nv.us/