Leonardtown, MD — St. Mary’s County’s health officer says she is becoming increasingly concerned about her department’s ability to handle all of their responsibilities in controlling infectious diseases. Dr. Meenakshi Brewster (shown at left) expressed her concerns July 28 to the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County during her semi-annual report with them sitting as the St. Mary’s County Board of Health.
Dr. Brewster said that there are mandatory requirements for the reporting to the health department of 89 separate health conditions. They also investigate cases, trace contacts, ensure appropriate diagnosis/testing/treatment and do on-going case management and directly observe the needed therapy.
In addition the health officer said her department supports local health care providers and facilities with a 24/7 call system and coordinates testing by the state lab. They also are involved in infectious disease outbreak control and provide vaccine clinics in schools, the community and in mobile clinics for the Amish community.
In a Power Point Presentation at the meeting, Brewster said, “Infectious Disease control and outbreak response are critical public health functions to protect the community.” She said with the “steep increase in infectious disease caseload and number of outbreaks over the past five years, public health demand (is) exceeding current staff capacity.”
Brewster showed graphs depicting the steep increase in “notifiable conditions” in the last five years. The infectious disease staff workload has increased 341 percent in that time,” she reported.
Brewster also gave the commissioners a report on tick-borne disease, particularly Lyme disease, which are their highest incidence during the summer. She reported that Lyme disease symptoms are: “rash (including ‘bull’s eye’), fever, body aches, fatigue and headache.”
A map of the United States shows that Southern Maryland is squarely in the center of places with high numbers of incidents of Lyme disease. She reported that this year St. Mary’s County is on a pace to outstrip the number of reported cases last year (73) which was the highest in recent years.
Brewster said tick-borne infections can be prevented by avoiding direct contact with ticks, repelling ticks with DEET or Permethrin and finding and removing ticks from your body.
In an update of Maryland school vaccine requirements, Dr. Brewster said proof of a second dose of chicken pox vaccination is required for students entering kindergarten. Also proof of the vaccination that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough is required for students entering the seventh grade. Also proof of one dose of meningitis vaccination is required for students entering the seventh grade.
There are religious exemptions for vaccinations. Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R – 2nd District] expressed concern that other students could be affected by students whose parents opted out of vaccinations.
The health department is also in the early stages of securing national accreditation. It is a three to five year process, but the benefits, Brewster said, insure “quality improvement and evidence-based public health.” She said it also opens the door to national technical assistance and grants.
The health department’s accreditation team was formed in November of last year. Accreditation is anticipated by the end of 2017.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com