Zika Epi-Surveillance Team, Nassau County Department of Health

Listed from left to right are:
Cynthia Cirillo, Epidemiologist, Theresa Cafiero, Epidemiologist, Deborah Kimelstein, Epidemiologist, Jeanne Ost, Epidemiologist, Glenda Henry, Epidemiologist, Brian Donohue, Social Health Investigator, Jacob Estanis, Epidemiologist.

In 2016, the Nassau County Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable disease (BCDC) staff quickly and effectively faced the challenges presented by the onset of the Zika Virus. Zika burst onto the public health scene in January 2016, just as Ebola surveillance monitoring was winding down. Bureau staff quickly devised a surveillance system that would accommodate the residents of Nassau County.

Many of Nassau's residents traveled to or resided in countries with Zika transmission. Staff worked diligently to devise data sheets, surveillance and report forms. Public and Health Care Provider educational materials were created in multiple languages for distribution. Staff interfaced with health care providers and the concerned public on a 24-hour basis. Staff worked holidays and weekends to enter information that would permit the residents to obtain Zika testing in a timely fashion. Zika testing was approved for over 800 residents and is on-going. BCDC staff continue to demonstrate their commitment to the residents of Nassau County and to the mission of Public Health

Learn more about Social Health Investigators and Epidemiologists.