Public Health Preparedness for Ebola Response Susan Sjoberg, Program Manager Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Public Health Emergency Preparedness/Response

Overview:  Public Health network – behind the scenes  Lost in Translation – making it work for eastern WA  Traveler monitoring – by the numbers & how it works  Partnerships and the Healthcare Coalition

Public Health – Behind the Scene  Heightened awareness – first Health Alert on Ebola Virus Disease  Mid-August 2014 – volunteer returns  Develop basic protocol and communications plan with SHMC

Making it Work for eastern WA  Planning  Connecting the dots  Situational Awareness and frequent communication  Laboratory testing and shipping  Hazardous Waste management and clean-up  Mortuary care

Traveler Monitoring – How it Works  Notification from WA State DOH  Initial Assessment and Interview  Notification to SHMC  Twice daily temperature and symptom check  21-day monitoring period from date of last possible exposure

Traveler Monitoring

Partnerships and the Healthcare Coalition (HCC)  Rapid identification of key stakeholders  Information out/information in = excellent situational awareness  Support to the healthcare leadership  HCC priority healthcare response

On-going Activities & Next Steps  Vaccine Study in Sierra Leone  Wide spread transmission in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia (one year+ into current outbreak)  Active monitoring for travelers  Gap Analysis of Ebola readiness across the region  Assessment of PPE and opportunities for standardization  Beyond Ebola