Tacoma SDS

The following is an email exchange with the Pierce County Health Department about the current influenza outbreak at the NWDC:

Mr. Turner,

Thank you for the prompt reply. We are aware of the role of the Public Health Service and understand their difficult task in protecting the health of all that are impacted by this event. A special concern is noted because in prior instances of health situations at the facility (Measles and food-borne illness) a general lack of candor was exhibited by those responsible.

We are also concerned because of the number of potential high-risk category visitors (children and the elderly) coming to a facility with the potential for contamination. The facility is currently undergoing an expansion with large numbers of contractors and other individuals coming and going on a daily basis.

We understand the procedures in place and conditions for isolation are intended to preclude such exposures, but even in the best of circumstances and in the most controlled environments
contagions can spread and get out of control quite quickly.

We also understand that in times like these the most important tool for disease prevention and awareness is validated information - not rumor or inflammatory rhetoric - and only sought out confirmation through your office to verify what had been passed from other sources.

I appreciate once again your quick response.

Timothy Smith
Chairperson, Bill of Rights Defense Committee - Tacoma

Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:59:08 -0700
From: NiTurner@tpchd.org
To: mr_tjsmith@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Disease Update at the NWDC

Mr Smith,

Please note that the public health services at this facility are provided by the federal United States Public Health Service. Our discussion with the facility was for the purpose of gathering information to help with communicable disease surveillance activities and to determine if additional assistance were required. For additional information I would refer you to the US Public Health Service.

I talked with Commander Gephardt of their health services unit regarding this issue:

They reported that they currently have about 2 people with influenza-like illness. They are not sick enough to need hospitalization and so, consistent with guidance from this department, are not required to be tested for H1N1. Those that are sick are pulled into a separate treatment area. However, according to their standard protocol using the US Public Health Service guidelines for correctional facilities, those that share a unit with people with influenza -like illness are cohorted and on restricted movements and when they leave the unit they are required to wear a surgical mask. Currently 4 units are in this state as a precaution. Visitation is still being allowed, however because of the restricted movements, it may take longer for visitors to see an inmate who is on quarantine. They indicated that they did not need any assistance.

Currently, we are seeing a high level of influenza-like illness in the community. Laboratory data suggests that almost all of the influenza in our community would be H1N1. The level of influenza-like illness reported at the facility is consistent with what we are seeing in the community.

I hope this is helpful, let me know if you have any questions.

Nigel Turner RS, MPH
Public Health Manager
Communicable Disease Control
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
3629 South "D" Street, MS 421
Tacoma, WA 98418-6813
Phone: (253) 798-6057
Fax: (253) 798-2067
E-mail: niturner@tpchd.org

* My incoming and outgoing e-mail messages are subject to legal disclosure *