Role of a local public health department in an outbreak of mumps at a tertiary teaching hospital in northeast Kansas

Diagnosing and investigating health problems and health hazards in the community is one of the ten essential services of public health. Part of that essential service involves the epidemiologic investigation of disease outbreaks. In order to effectively identify and manage outbreaks in a community, the partnership between public health departments and hospitals is essential.

During 2006, the United States experienced the largest outbreak of mumps in over 20 years. As of October 7, 2006, Kansas accounted for 904 or 15% of the 5,783 cases in the United States.

During the outbreak, a tertiary teaching hospital in a northeastern county of Kansas reported a total of 22 cases of mumps (confirmed and probable) in employees, students, and patients. In an effort to manage the outbreak, the hospital partnered with the local public health department.

The Epidemiology Surveillance Coordinator from the local public health department served as a point of contact for the hospital. The main responsibility of the public health department was dissemination of information and guidance regarding investigation and management of cases. A multidisciplinary task force that included hospital personnel and public health developed an algorithm that provided the basis for investigation of cases and surveillance of all employees. The public health department also served as a clearinghouse for information collected and compiled and analyzed the data. Routine reports on the outcomes of analysis were provided to the hospital in the form of tables and graphs.