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Thursday, July 02, 2009

State Serious About Plague

By Dr. Paul Ettestad And Mack Sewell
New Mexico Department of Health
      A recent Albuquerque Journal editorial suggested that the New Mexico Department of Health risked public health by not providing more specific location information of a human case of plague. That couldn't be further from the truth. We always place the public's health in the forefront while also trying to protect the confidentiality of patients and their families.
       As was done with this Santa Fe County case, we routinely go door-to-door in the neighborhood where a plague case occurs. Staff informs those who are at home that there is plague activity in the area, what precautions to take, and answer any questions they may have without giving out confidential information on the patient. A plague brochure is left at homes when no one is present. The brochure has a phone number they can call for further information.
       Whenever we are dealing with a communicable disease, we evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is any need to contact potentially exposed individuals (including health care personnel) and make a recommendation on whether antibiotic prophylaxis is needed.
       We hope that the public and our partners in EMS and Animal Control realize that plague and other infectious diseases can occur at any time. Providing appropriate precautions and educational messages to the public at any time is helpful, no matter where or when a case occurs.
       Knowing the specific location of a plague case will not make the public safer. Every New Mexican needs to take precautions to avoid the plague. We don't want people to get complacent because there hasn't been a case in their neighborhood.
       At the New Mexico Department of Health, plague is one of the infectious diseases we investigate. In all investigations, we respect patients' privacy rights, as required by state and federal laws. At the same time we are diligent about putting out an appropriate prevention message to the public so that the same tragedy may not happen to them and their loved ones.
       Dr. Paul Ettestad is the state public health veterinarian for the New Mexico Department of Health. Mack Sewell is the state epidemiologist for the department.
       

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