Kathy Hurt-Mullen, MPH¹, Sheryl Happel Lewis, MPH², Cynthia Edwards¹, Carol Jordan¹, Richard A. Wojcik³, and Joseph Lombardo, MS³. (1) Communicable Disease and Epidemiology, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902, 240-777-1643, kathy.hurt-mullen@montgomerycountymd.gov, (2) Special Applications Branch, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd., Laurel, MD 20723, (3) National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723

Montgomery County, Maryland is home to approximately 1 million residents in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. Its proximity to the nation’s capitol places the county’s residents at increased risk for exposure to the actions of terrorists, including those that might intentionally release biological agents to cause widespread illness and fear.

In 2001, Montgomery County health officials joined with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to develop ESSENCE II, a model Biosurveillance System, to be used in local health departments to rapidly detect important changes in community health status. In order for such systems to be of value it is important to find ways to use the data collected in the routine operation of public health programs and decision-making. A plan for response to significant findings has been prepared and staff in the health department have participated in exercises to test the plan and to train for response when it becomes necessary.

Montgomery County public health officials have used the data from ESSENCE II for a variety of purposed including providing daily briefings on community health status to the County’s Emergency Management Group during periods of increased National Alert Status, evaluation of influenza activity and its impact on residents during the severe flu season of 2003-2004 as well as monitoring for signs and symptoms of illness that could suggest the presentation of illness associated with ricin exposure, SARS or avian influenza.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the range of uses for early-detection syndromic surveillance systems in loal health departments.

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.