HomeMy WebLinkAbout900197.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE NACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARD APPLICATION AND AUTHORIZE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the
affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a NACo Achievement
Award Application for the Regional Encephalitis Surveillance
Program, and
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of said Application are as
stated in the Application, a copy being attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, and
WHEREAS , after study and review, the Board deems it advisable
to approve said Application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the NACo Achievement
Award Application be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chairman be, and
hereby is, authorized to sign said Application.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 26th day of
February, A.D. , 1990 .
V BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: "vc.,,,,, ,./41 ' i WEL OUNTY, COLORADO
Weld County lerk and Recorder dAC/C �%IYL'��
and Clerk to the Board ene R. Brantner, Chairman
/
BY Yn ,o y� .�.� eff��rge CI ennedy, Pro-T m
eputy County C rk yf//��YY//�
4-4444
APPROVED AS O FORM: Cons ance L. Hart/ert�
1
C. �� c� - C.W. Kirb
C unty Attc i �La- ��
Go , a y
7,i ,;; 900197
1990 ENTRY FORM
Weld STATE. Colorado
COUNTY: Noce: NACo member mwthcs only.
POPULATION: 144,671 1989 COUNTY BUDGET: $51,808,419
TITLE OF PROGRAM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(Please limit Slew 60 characters Do not include county aurae in the program title. Indicate the cue of the program to be considered for an Achieve-
ment Award using the ccact wonting you would like to appear on the certificate should your entry win)
Regional Encephalitis Surveillance Program
CATEGORIES Entries must be made in the following categories. Check only ONE category for this entry.
O Community Development O Land Use and Land Planning
❑Computerization O Labor Issues and Employee Benefits
❑Criminal Justice - O Mental Health
O Community Services • O Media Relations
❑County Administration and Management U Older Americans
O Drunken Driving Deterrence and Scat Belt Safety O Parks and Reaeation
O Employment and Training O Public Safety/Emergency Management
O Energy and Environment O Rural Programs
O Fiscal Management and Use of Federal or State Funds O Substance Abuse Control and Initiatives
)l Health O Transportation
❑Human Services O Taxation and Finance
O Juvenile Justice O Youth Programs
NOTE: Our list includes two general categories-Human Services and Community Services. We are looking for the
following information under those categories
HUMAN SERVICES-food assistance programs:providing food/shelter for the homeless:programs to improve the service/
administration of welfare or general assistance programs:quality control m welfare assistance programs:the provision of
social services such as family counseling and childcare:improvements in the management/administration of human services
programs.
COMMUNITY SERVICES-programs that make improvements in the county's infrastructure,public services such as
sanitation,fie,police,etc.(innovations or improved services in any of these areas are acceptable):programs promoting the
enhancement or betterment of the community:programs designed to give citizens more input in county government
Name,tide,mailing address and phone number of county's Name,tit e,deparuneru,division,tnailingaddressandphone
Chief Elected Official-the county's board chair,president, number of the program contact-a person able to provide
or elected county official-and his or ha signature author- more information to inquiring juristictions. The division
izing this entry. mast be specified.
Names Gene R. Br'antner Wes Potter
Name
.1. Chairman, Board of County .I.l Director
P.O. Box 758 Commissioners Weld County Health Department
Address: Department
915 10th Street Environmental Protection Services
City. Greeley Star✓ CO Address: 1517 16th Avenue Court
ZipCMr. 8063 Phony (303) 356-4000 Greele CO
City. Greeley St6
SigItature: Zip Cads; 80631 phone:(303 ) 353-00635
EACH ENTRY MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PHOTOCOPY OF THE ENTIREAPPLICA 90019i�CO
1990 PROGRAM SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Provide a summary of the program that does not exceed 200 words. Briefly
describe the problem that was addressed,how it was addressed,the costs involved,and the results)
NOTE:This section must follow the following format: -200 words or less -75 characters or less per line
"straight text no bolded,underlined or italicized text -submit the original(not photocopied)text
In 1987, Colorado experienced an epidemic year for Western Equine
Encephalitis (WEE) . In response to this Weld County Health Department in
cooperation with five other counties developed a regional WEE monitoring
program.
The objective of this program is to develop an "early warning system"
to detect an encephalitis outbreak through a least cost approach. The
joint effort between counties increases the data base for evaluation while
decreasing costs incurred by each county.
The monitoring strategy includes light trapping of mosquitos;
surveillance of sentinel chicken flocks, equine and human cases; and wild
bird trapping. A computer information link has been developed to enhance
communication capabilities between departments.
The total cost to Weld County in 1989 was $8,861.83 including
laboratory testing, staff time, travel and flock maintenance. This
represents an expenditure of $.05 per resident.
In 1988 and 1989, minimal WEE activity was detected. These results are
consistent with anticipated projections due to the eight to ten year WEE
cycles. Developing the monitoring program following an epidemic year
should increase our ability to effectively monitor WEE activity. The long
term goal is to develop an extensive data base which will allow for
prediction of encephalitis outbreaks at a significant cost savings to all
involved.
PROBLEM/CONCERN(Describe the problem,need or concern in your co mty/department that prompted the
development of the program. Describe dte objectives of the program)
In 1987, Colorado experienced an epidemic year for Western Equine
Encephalitis (WEE) . There were thirty confirmed human cases with two of these
being in Weld County. This represented the first epidemic year since 1977 and
the most cases reported since 1965. The first indication of the outbreak was
seen with the report and confirmation of numerous equine cases in July of
1987.
Due to financial limitations in recent years, many counties have been
forced to cancel widespread surveillance of arbovirus activity. However, due
to the epidemic year of 1987, the Weld County Board of Commissioners became
very interested and concerned with encephalitis monitoring and requested that
a program be developed. In response to this, Weld County Health Department
(WCHD) in conjunction with Boulder and Larimer County Health Departments
developed a regional Western Encephalitis Monitoring program to begin in 1988.
In 1989, Tri-County (Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties) Health Department
became a part of the program further reducing costs while increasing the data
base.
The objectives of this program are: 1) to reduce the incidence of WEE in
northern Colorado; 2) to implement a cost effective "early warning system" of
a WEE outbreak; and 3) to improve communication, and cooperation between local
91.131.9? 2
1990 PROGRAM SUMMAR 1
PROBLEM/CONCERN (continued)
health departments. The cooperative effort between counties is essential in
order to improve and increase the data base for evaluation, to improve the
efficiency of the county surveillance, to reduce costs incurred by the county
health departments, and to allow specialization of labor.
SOLUTION(Describe the steps that were taken by the county/department to remedy the problem or to address the
concern Explain how the program's objectives were met)
The life cycle of WEE involves transfer of the virus from vector mosquitos
to the bird host which is also referred to as the reservoir host. The virus
is then transferred back to mosquitos when they feed on an infected host.
Horses and humans become infected with encephalitis when an infected vector
takes a blood meal and introduces the virus into the bloodstream. Horses and
humans are considered dead end hosts since they cannot transmit the disease.
In 1988, monthly meetings were held with Weld, Boulder and Larimer counties
in order to develop a regional strategy for a WEE monitoring program. The
strategy includes light trapping of mosquitos, monitoring arbovirus activity
through sentinel chicken flocks, wild bird trapping, and tracking equine and
human cases through the cooperation of local veterinarians and health
officials. The addition of Tri-County in 1989, increases our surveillance
area.
Mosquito trapping is aimed at monitoring the ratio of vector (Cule,
tarsalis) to pest mosquitos. Light traps utilizing dry ice are placed
throughout the counties and the mosquitos are identified by species. The
Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Ft. Collins provides training in
speciation of mosquitos. The use of dry ice allows for trapping of live
vectors and the potential for viral isolation in vectors. A ratio of vector
to pest mosquitos is then calculated and tracked throughout the season and
from year to year. As the number of vectors increase, the potential for human
attack and an encephalitis outbreak also increases.
Sentinel chicken flocks are strategically placed throughout the counties
from mid June until mid September depending on the results obtained throughout
the year. Blood samples are drawn from the chickens every two weeks and are
tested by the Weld County Health Department for seroconversion rates of the
virus. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests are performed to determine
seroconversion rates.
Chickens are reservoir hosts and are more vulnerable to mosquito attack
than humans. There is approximately a two week lead time between occurrence of
encephalitis in chickens and its occurrence in horses. Onset in humans
usually occurs two to three weeks after the initial cases in horses.
Therefore, monitoring seroconversion rates in chickens allows for prediction
of potential horse and human cases.
Wild bird trapping is also done in high risk areas by the CDC Vector-borne
Disease Division. Personnel from WCHD are able to assist them in the field
with the trapping. Wild birds are the principle reservoir host of WEE during
an epidemic season. Therefore, monitoring wild bird populations also
increases our potential for predicting an encephalitis outbreak. However,
because of the migratory habits of wild birds, sentinel chicken flocks are a
more reliable predictor than wild birds.
3
9(:0197
1990 PROGRAM SUMMAR%
• SOLUTION (continued)
Tracking equine cases of encephalitis is another means of predicting
potential outbreaks in humans. Equine cases are tracked through weekly
contact with local veterinarians. If an equine case is reported, other
veterinarians are notified. However, equine cases are not as reliable as
detection of seroconversion in chickens due to the variability in the horse
populations and vaccinations administered to horses.
By tracking seroconversion rates in chickens and equine cases, the health
departments can identify specific regions with higher potential for outbreaks
of encephalitis. After high risk areas are identified, the health departments
publish warnings to the public concerning encephalitis and suggest safeguards
for protection from mosquito attack. Safeguards include restricting outdoor
activities, especially in the early morning or evening, wearing clothing with
long sleeves and full pant legs, and using insect repellents. Identifying
high risk areas decreases the need and cost of widespread regional mosquito
spraying and allows for targeted spraying.
In addition to these monitoring strategies, a computer information link has
been developed between the Colorado Department of Health and local health
departments. This enhances our communication capabilities between health
departments and increases efficiency throughout the state.
COUNTY ROLE(Dcsciibe the county support or input. Describe the specific resources-time,money.personnd-
that were used by the county to implement the progam and how they were used)
The personnel from the county health departments are responsible for flock
maintenance, hutch construction, and light trapping in their own county. Work
is shared between the counties to allow for specialization of labor and to
reduce costs incurred by the counties. For example, WCHD performs the
laboratory analysis for all ten flocks in the regional surveillance area.
WCHD is also responsible for ordering and caring for the chickens until they
are distributed. Larimer County speciates the mosquitos from Weld County
light traps. Boulder County maintains two light traps located in the southern
part of Weld County, and Tri-County provides laboratory support. In addition
to field and lab personnel, each of the participating counties designates
communicable disease specialists who work to standardize and computerize all
data collected for ease of evaluation.
CDC provides support through training personnel about the use of light
traps, speciating of mosquitos and laboratory procedures. They also provide
gander red blood cells for the HI testing. Throughout the course of the
program, we continue to utilize their technical expertise. The Colorado
Department of Health also helps train personnel involved in all aspects of the
program.
In an effort to further reduce costs, Weld County makes use of interns from
the University of Northern Colorado. In return for their services, the
interns receive credit from the university. Volunteers throughout the
counties involved contribute to the program by allowing the health departments
to place a sentinel chicken flock on their property. They help reduce staff
time that is required to maintain the flock by assisting in feeding and
watering of the chickens and. Assuring their protection from predators.
.900197
1990 PROGRAM SUMMARY
COSTS(Describe in exact mambas the amount of mosey used to fluid or opaaie the program. List all sources of
funding)
During the season of 1989, the region collected 885 sentinel flock samples
for analysis. The laboratory cost to run these samples was $3,174.70. This
amounts to $3.59 per sample. With the utilization of the new Elisa equipment
in 1990, the projected cost will be approximately $1.42 per sample. The cost
per sample is kept low by the utilization of technical help in the laboratory
provided by the various regional health departments.
Weld County expended a total of 130 hours of staff time to tend the flocks
and trap mosquitos during the 1989 season. This resulted in an expenditure of
$3,749.76 for the field staff in the project. Travel costs amounted to
$1,335.42 for the entire year. The total cost to Weld County for the
Encephalitis Program for 1989 was $8,861.83. This is an approximate
expenditure of $.05 per Weld County Resident per year. The regional approach
resulted in a direct cost savings to Weld County of approximately $8,400.00.
The resulting surveillance data available for evaluation to predict a
potential encephalitis outbreak is much more accurate due to the wide data
base spread across six counties and the availability of data to all
departments involved in the program. The cost savings realized in an actual
outbreak season will be much more significant because resources can be
concentrated in the specific area with the highest potential for human cases
and not wasted in unnecessary control measures.
RESULTS (Describe the tangiible results of the prograim cost savings,service improvanatts,ac. Tell how the
program benefited the coenty or commtmity)
In 1988, only one seroconversion was detected from the sentinel chicken
flocks. The chicken was located in Weld County. In 1989, one seroconversion
from Larimer County was reported. There were two confirmed equine cases and
one suspected case in Weld County in 1988, with no equine cases reported in
1989. These results are consistent with anticipated projections due to the
cyclic pattern of WEE and the epidemic year of 1987. Based on historical
cycles, arbovirus activity follows eight to ten year cycles of low endemic
levels increasing to epidemic levels throughout the cycle. It is expected
that over the next six to seven years, the number of infected chickens and
equine cases will increase as the number of infected vectors increase. By
starting the WEE monitoring program the year after an epidemic season, we
should increase our ability to effectively monitor arbovirus activity and to
predict outbreaks.
During the past two years, we have learned about the many aspects
associated with this type of program. Some changes have been made and new
strategies are constantly evolving in an attempt to increase our knowledge and
the effectiveness of the program.
The addition of Tri-County in 1989 increases our surveillance area and
further decreases the costs. We are encouraging other counties to become
involved so that we may create a larger data base and develop a more
widespread monitoring program.
In 1988, CDC supplied gander red blood cells for the HI testing. Due to
the short lived effectiveness of the red blood cells and their expense, Weld
County Health Department purchased ganders for the 1989 monitoring season and
prepared the cells for the hemagglutination inhibition tests. This increased
9cO197
1990 PROGRAM SUMMARY
RESULTS (continued)
our efficiency and reduced costs in 1989. CDC provided technical expertise in
standardizing the cells from the ganders.
We are currently developing new methods for laboratory analysis of the
blood samples. New Elisa equipment has been purchased by Weld County and we
anticipate lower costs per sample with this new procedure as well as fewer man
hours involved with laboratory analysis. It will also increase our
capabilities by allowing WCHD to test serum from horses. In the past, horse
testing results have been difficult to obtain in a short period of time.
Through the use of new procedures, WCHD will be able to provide this service
to citizens of the county and to receive results in a reasonable time frame.
This will help in the prediction of potential outbreaks in humans.
This study is slated to continue for many years. The long term goal is to
develop an extensive data base which allows for prediction of encephalitis
outbreaks. The joint effort between counties increases the amount of data
collected while decreasing the costs incurred by each county. A large data
base will increase our ability to predict and prevent potential outbreaks of
encephalitis throughout our region.
INDEXING INDENTIFIERS For example,a program in which a county contracted with a city to
List 5 words or phrases that best de- provide low interest renovation housing loans to low and moderate
settle your program and can be used income borne ownea might consist of the following identifier=
to index your program. These words (I)Low interest Housing Loans
should be different than those used (2)RousingRebabffitation
in your program title. (3)Substandard/Deteriorating Housing
(4)Intergovernmental Partnership
(5)Community Development
(1) Disease and Prevention
(2) Encephalitis Monitoring
13) Surveillance
(4) Intergovernmental Partnership
(5) Program Development
900197
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