4 - Surveillance and Detection

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department offices of Disease Control, Epidemiology, Immunization and Public Health Laboratory work with community partners on the following:

Surveillance

The County conducts year-round surveillance of influenza. Human avian influenza virus infections could initially appear as any other influenza case. Current avian influenza screening practice includes verifying a history of travel to a country experiencing avian influenza in its bird population.

In Santa Barbara County, data is collected from seven “sentinel providers” who use a rapid flu test on their patients who meet the case definition for influenza. The sentinel providers are part of a statewide effort to track and type seasonal flu. If a patient is positive by rapid test, a second specimen is taken and sent to the State Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory for subgroup and strain typing.

Testing

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Lab is a member of the Respiratory Virus Network and is working with the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) and other local public health laboratories to provide a wider range of testing and confirmation of disease. PCR testing is locally available to rule out avian influenza with confirmatory testing available through VRDL.

Information Alerts

Public Health Department Disease Control Program continues to send health alerts and health updates to the local medical community on influenza (including avian influenza), outbreaks, and other emerging diseases.  A fax broadcast system is used to send alerts, which notify key members of the medical community about emergency public health issues.

If a confirmed case of avian influenza was reported anywhere in the nation, alerts to local providers would be sent via the fax broadcast system and the California Health Alert Network (CAHAN). In the event of a local case, the Public Health Department would work with the State to conduct follow-up on suspected cases and others who have been exposed.

The Public Health Department would use local media to alert the general public regarding any important information on avian influenza via news releases/advisories.

Response Planning

The Santa Barbara County Pandemic Influenza Response Plan addresses actions during the six phases of a pandemic including federal, state and local responsibilities, communication systems, isolation and quarantine, mass vaccination (once a vaccine is available), decontamination, and the role of the health officer. Further response planning is underway with the Community Pandemic Planning Workgroup, which includes members from outpatient, hospital, emergency department, home health, emergency medical services, Office of Emergency Services, law enforcement, and other providers serving Santa Barbara County.