Q&A
DOHMH's role in detecting and monitoring infectious diseases
1:00:57
ยท
135 sec
Council Member Moya inquires about the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) role in detecting and monitoring infectious diseases. Dr. Michelle Morse and Sudha Reddy explain the city's robust surveillance system for infectious diseases.
- Over 100 infectious diseases are required to be reported to DOHMH
- Most reports are received electronically within 24 hours
- High-consequence diseases like Ebola require immediate phone reporting
- Syndromic surveillance system monitors emergency department chief complaints daily
Francisco P. Moya
1:00:57
Thank you chair Schulman, commissioner.
1:01:00
Good morning.
1:01:00
Good morning.
1:01:01
I just wanna talk a little bit more about the, infectious disease monitoring and testing.
1:01:07
I know you've you spoke a little bit about this earlier, but what is, DOHMH's role in detecting and monitoring infectious diseases?
1:01:16
And is this monitoring restricted to the city or do you monitor worldwide?
Dr. Michelle Morse
1:01:22
Thank you for that phenomenal question.
1:01:24
I'm actually gonna ask my colleague, Sudar, ready to describe the very complex and extensive process we use.
Sudha Reddy
1:01:31
Hi, thank you very much.
1:01:33
We have a really robust surveillance system at the health department where there are over a hundred infectious diseases that are required to be reported to the health department.
1:01:44
Most of our reports are actually received electronically, but all healthcare providers and laboratories are required to report those infectious diseases to us.
1:01:54
Some of those diseases that are of high consequence like Ebola for example are required to be reported immediately by phone even if it's a suspected case.
1:02:05
But for many of our other pathogens, they're required to be reported to us within twenty four hours.
1:02:12
So we really have a great robust surveillance system for infectious diseases in that respect.
1:02:19
We also have other systems like syndromic surveillance.
1:02:22
So from all of our hospitals in New York City, all the emergency departments, we have 100% participation.
1:02:29
We get chief complaints reported to us every day.
1:02:33
And we look at that data to identify possible increases in infectious disease syndromes.
1:02:41
So that's kind of basically what we have in New York City.
1:02:44
And as Doctor.
1:02:45
Morris has pointed out, we have really strong partnerships with other health departments in the region and across the nation.
1:02:53
And so we hear about possible clusters and outbreaks that are happening in other jurisdictions, which can give us a clue that there could be something potentially in New York City.
1:03:05
And so it can give us a little heads up that, you know, something that we should be on the lookout for if we don't already have it here.
Francisco P. Moya
1:03:12
So that was my follow-up question was, so these surveillance systems that you have in place and working with other agencies that, Does that help you assess whether the outbreak in another state or country presents a special risk to New York City?