Avian Flu Outbreak and Vaccination Drill
A Good Idea
Description
The Yolo County Avian Flu Disease Investigation Drill was the first disease outbreak exercise in the nation to 1) address a communicable form of Avian Flu, cited by CDC and WHO as one of the greatest potential communicable disease risk to the world population , 2) coordinate a full-scale field exercise to train health care personnel in epidemiologic investigation and implementation of control measures for responding to a large number of "patients" ill or exposed to Avian Flu and 3) coordinate this effort with epidemiologists involving twelve county jurisdictions, state public health agencies and local universities.
Goal / Mission
The purpose of the exercise was to train health and emergency medical personnel in planning for and responding to large scale disease outbreaks. The most proven method to assure an effective response to a real event is to practice a well-coordinated multi-agency field exercise.
Results / Accomplishments
Because of the broad scope of the whole exercise, the drill brought together over 500 people including representatives from local health department agencies, county mental health services, the Red Cross, DMAT, EMS, volunteer physicians and nurses, volunteer college students and community members. The high media visibility of the event also served the purpose of educating the public about the public health response to a disease outbreak and possible mass prophylaxis.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Yolo County Health Department
Primary Contact
Myrna Epstein, Supervisor, Epidemiology & Public Health Emergency
(530) 666-8645
myrna.epstein@yolocounty.org
http://www.yolohealth.org/
(530) 666-8645
myrna.epstein@yolocounty.org
http://www.yolohealth.org/
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Community / Social Environment
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
Yolo County Health Department
Source
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
2004
Location
Yolo County, CA
For more details
Additional Audience
Public Health Workers