Public Health Response and Risk Communication
| Target Group | Action | Lead Agency | Time |
| Public | Press release | MDE and DHMH | Summer, 1996 |
| Text for fact sheet or pamphlet | MDE and DHMH | ||
| Distribution of fact sheets or pamphlets | MDE and DHMH to Local Health Depts (LHD), libraries, pharmacies, etc. | ||
| Distribution to customers in water utility bills of: (1) general information on cryptosporidiosis and (2) availability of water testing results if done | Water Utilities
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| Water utilities | Educate water utility owners and operators on the organism, prevention and control, concept of multiple barrier approach for water treatment, and overview of MD Action Plan; provide fact sheets and other related documents in training seminars given at 7 locations | MDE and DHMH | Spring, 1996 |
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MDE |
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| Develop slide show | DHMH | March 1996 | |
| Distribution of the handbook "Cryptosporidium and Water" to selected surface water utilities | MDE |
Fall, 1997 | |
| Public Health Officials | Present material on cryptosporidiosis to health department communicable disease, environmental health, and surveillance personnel | MDE and DHMH | Spring, 1994, CD Update, Dr. Pat Meinhardt -Teleconference, Dr. Rosemary Soave, 2/20/96 |
| Metropolitan D.C. Council of Governments | November 1995 | ||
| Distribution to customers in water utility bills of: (1) general information on cryptosporidiosis and (2) availability of water testing results if done | MDE and DHMH to Local Health Depts (LHD), libraries, pharmacies, etc. | Spring, 1996 and ongoing | |
| Public Health Officials (cont'd) | Make Health Officers, and other LHD personnel aware
of the task force and the plan of action |
DHMH, Epidemiology and Disease Control |
February 1996 teleconference, March 1996 HO |
| Health care providers |
Write and distribute bulletin on cryptosporidiosis and prevention methods for those at increased risk to all licensed physicians in Maryland | DHMH, Epi and Disease Control |
September 1995 Communicable Disease Bulletin |
| Write, produce, and distribute camera ready fact sheet or pamphlet to a subset of providers who see immunosuppressed patients: infectious disease specialists; gastroenterologists; oncologists; providers who see AIDS/HIV patients | DHMH, Epi and Disease Control | Spring, 1996 | |
| Distribute information to AIDS Hot Line to assure correct and consistent messages on cryptosporidiosis | DHMH, AIDS Admin. |
Spring, 1996 | |
| Inform Infection Control Practitioners and administrators of long term care facilities and hospitals of availability of fact sheets, and content of Maryland's Action Plan | DHMH, Epi and Disease Control | Spring, 1998 |
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| Develop slide show | DHMH | Spring, 1996 | |
| Research the issue of adequate sterilization or high level disinfection of endoscopes to kill Cryptosporidium and publicize information if different from current recommendations | DHMH, Epi and Disease Control | December 1995 | |
| Immuno-compromised people | Provide specific EPA/CDC/Maryland recommendations for prevention through: doctors, water utilities, MDE, DHMH, LHDs, advocacy groups, etc. | DHMH, water utilities, MDE, LHDs, HERO, etc. | Spring, 1996 |
| Food service Facilities | Provide guidelines on implementing a boil water order | Office of Food Protection DHMH, MDE | Spring, 1998 |