Disease Control and Prevention Work Team, Saratoga County Public Health Services

Disease Control and Prevention Work Team, Saratoga County Public Health Services

From left to right:
Elizabeth Herlihy, BSN, RN,Public Health Nurse; Erin Murray, BSN, RN, Supervising Public Health Nurse; Priscilla Wheeler, BSN, RN, Public Health Nurse; Beth Mannarino, RN

Not pictured:
Jamie Berardi, RN

In 2016-17, Saratoga County experienced a Legionella outbreak followed by a Mumps outbreak. Clinical and NYS District Office environmental staff teamed up to conduct surveillance, investigation, education and outreach for the Legionella outbreak. This dedicated team of professionals was committed to collaboration with the local hospital, local physicians, regional partners, and the New York State Department of Health to develop standard protocols and procedures for local healthcare providers to follow when determining clients with differential diagnosis to either disease. Outreach via the Integrated Health Alert Network System (IHANS) was used to keep local medical providers updated and informed. Education was disseminated through social and local media channels to the public. Best public health practices resulted in successfully preventing any larger outbreak(s).

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