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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Barbara L. Worgess, MPH, Coconino County Department of Health Services, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, 928-522-7810, bworgess@co.coconino.az.us
In January, 2001, a rabid skunk was found in Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona. There had been no prior history of rabies in any animal except bats anywhere in Coconino County. Although it was initially assumed that this was a rare occurrence and that it would be a lone case, it was only a matter of days before additional skunks were reported, and by mid April 16 rabid skunks had been found. Because rabies in terrestrial animals was not endemic to Coconino County we were faced with an opportunity to attempt to prohibit the spread of the disease and prevent the disease from becoming endemic. In collaboration with local, state and federal organizations, both public and private, we developed and implemented a multi-faceted plan to manage the outbreak. This plan included declaring a quarantine, engaging in a media campaign, initiating an education campaign, and instituting a trap, vaccinate and release program in which skunks were trapped, vaccinated, eartagged and then released. It was our hope with this last component of the program to create a herd immunity. Over the last few months, as we have been developing an understanding of what it takes to be in a state of preparedness for a biological event, we found ourselves looking at the lessons we learned over the past year about working with unusual partners, working with the media, keeping the public informed with credible information, and enhanced surveillance for an infectious disease.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Rabies, Public/Private Partnerships
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.