The CityMatCH Learning Network Webinar hosted by the Science Action Group CoLeads, Audrey Stevenson (Salt Lake County Health Department) and Gerri Perry-Williams (City of Pasadena Public Health Department) hosted a webinar, Local MCH Response to Zika, on June 6, 2016 that featured two presenters from CityMatCH member health departments:
These presenters detailed how their health departments have worked to prevent and mitigate the effects of Zika, how they have communicated about Zika in their communities, and how they've used data to have the most impact with their programming.
This page presents audio highlights from their presentations, making it easy to listen to local responses. Click below to hear more.
Erin Schneider, MSW, Director of Development and CQI for CityMatCH, sets the stage for the webinar and introduces the Science Action Group Co-Leads.
Introduction of the Science Action Group. The webinar structure is laid out; Gerri Perry-Williams and Audrey Stevenson are introduced.
In this presentation, Dr. Karen Thomas, an epidemiology program manager from the Florida Department of Health, Palm Beach, gives a background of the community and the Zika virus, the cases that were experienced in 2016, the prevention messages that were utilized to warn the public, and the local responses that were carried out to address the problem. Helpful tools from the federal and local levels were presented, and Dr. Thomas answered questions from the audience. Presentation slides are available to correspond with Dr. Thomas' podcast segments.
Introduction of Dr. Thomas. Audrey Stevenson of the Salt Lake County Health Department introduces Dr. Thomas and presents her biography and work in Florida.
Introducing the Community. Dr. Thomas presents a background of Palm Beach County before the first case of the Zika virus.
The First Case. In this segment, the fist case of reported Zika is related as well as the spread of the virus.
Quick Review. Dr. Thomas explains that "you must first know what you're up against." She provides a quick review of what we know about Zika virus.
Prevention Messages. A series of prevention messages were deployed by the community; Dr. Thomas explains them. Examples can be found in the accompanying slide set.
Local Responses. Dr. Thomas explains the 5 steps that Palm Beach County engaged in during the summer of 2016: (1) provide access to case findings; (2) provide education and outreach support to the medical community, MCH coalitions, and the public; (3) provide timely CDC guidance, advisories, and alerts; (4) assess the quality of their surveillance systems; and (5) establish intervention strategies in collaboration with community stakeholders.
The Numbers. A review of the number of cases per county, along with details of who was effected, is given.
Helpful Tools. Dr. Thomas details federal and local resources that they found valuable during this time.
Lessons Learned. A quick review of what works is provided.
Questions and Answers. A 5-minute question and answer session covers topics of how to engage certain provider groups.
In this presentation, Dr. Lorraine Boyd, Medical Director for the Division of Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Division of Family and Child Health, gives a summary of the impact of Zika in New York City, the four elements of NYC's Zika Response Plan, lessons learned, and, in collaboration with Dr. Thomas, answers a series of questions from the audience.
Introduction of Dr. Boyd. Gerri Perry-Williams of the City of Pasadena Public Health Department introduces Dr. Boyd and presents her biography and work in New York.
Population Statistics. In this segment, the impact of Zika and preparations to handle the virus in NYC are discussed, giving a timeline overall and data specific to the city.
Elements of NYC's Zika Response Plan (A). Dr. Boyd explains the first two elements of their response plan: (1) identify individuals with current or prior Zika infection and monitor pregnant women who have been diagnosed with Zika and (2) educate providers on how to screen, diagnose, counsel, and manage patients at risk for or with current Zika infection.
Elements of NYC's Zika Response Plan (B). Dr. Boyd explains the second two elements of their response plan: (3) inform the public of possible threats of Zika virus, transmission mechanisms, and how they can move ahead to protect themselves and (4) prevent local transmission of Zika through environmental surveillance, mediation, and mosquito control measures.
Lessons Learned. Dr. Boyd explains how in NYC, as elsewhere, preparedness requires a robust infrastructure.
Questions and Answers. A concluding question and answer session involves both Drs. Thomas and Boyd and covers topics of the health of children born to women infected by Zika, the safety of larvacides used in NYC, and the challenges of contacting patients.