Public Communication for Harmful Algal Blooms: A State Health Department Perspective

Transcription

1 Public Communication for Harmful Algal Blooms: A State Health Department Perspective Andrew Reich, MS, MSPH Program Coordinator Aquatic Toxins Program Harmful Algal Blooms in the Mid-Atlantic University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program April 28, 2008

2 Types of HABs in Florida Cyanobacteria Puffer Fish Poisoning

3 Public Health Protect and Promote Safety and Health of People

4 Florida Red Tide Positive Samples, 1954 to Present

5 Red Tides & Fish Kills

6 Blue-Green Algae/ Cyanobacteria St. Johns River Lake Okeechobee

7 Newspaper Articles

8 Animals Fish Marine Mammals Birds Pets Exposed Populations Humans: Recreational and Occupational Coastal Residents Workers Snowbirds (elderly) Tourists (Domestic and International)

9 Susceptible Populations Elderly Immunosuppressed Underlying lung disease: Asthma, COPD Underlying neurological disease Pregnant women, fetus Children

10 The Issues Increasing potential interaction between marine & freshwater HABs & humans Increasing public concern regarding potential health dangers from HABs Increasing clinical & epidemiological data showing acute & chronic health effects from HABs

11 How these Issues are being addressed in Florida FDOH Aquatic Toxins Coordinator Surveillance / Outreach / Response / Research Creation of a Aquatic Toxins Hotline ( ) 8635) Three way resource for information: Citizen Education Outreach Health Care / Medical Information and Consultation Research Data on Reported Cases Development of Outreach Materials in variety of formats Involve many essential collaborators

12 Communications: Remember your Audience WHO will be disseminating i the information WHO will be using it: General public K-12 education Policy makers/politicians Health Care Professionals Media / Public Relations Professionals Ideally- pilot materials and evaluate!

13 Florida Poison Information Center: Miami Aquatic Toxins Hotline /7 in English & Spanish Automated Menu of Information Physicians, Nurses and Clinical Pharmacists Since 1998, Over 25,000 Calls

14 Lee CHD: Lake Okeechobee and Caloosahatchee River

15 Beach Signage: Sarasota

16 START: Solutions to Avoid Red Tide Hotels, Restaurants, Tourist Venues

17 Non-Technical Brochure on Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

18 Technical Brochure on Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

19 Non- Technical Brochure on Ciguatera

20 Ciguatera Poster

21 Non- Technical Brochure on Blue Green Algae

22 Blue Green Algae Poster

23 Display: Mote Marine Aquarium

24 Aquatic Toxins Program Web Site FAQs Education and Outreach Links Research Projects Publications Surveillance Policy

25 Red Tide Alliance Web Site

26 Sarasota County Beach Conditions Report

27 Websites under Aquatic Toxins

28 Outreach Activities: Information, Education and Communication Brochures Trinkets Web Site Development PSAs for Hotels, Public Access Channels Exhibits Professional Enrichment Presentations Lay Audience Presentations

29 Case Study: Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

30 NSP Outbreaks SW Florida 1995: 2 Cases 1996: 3 Cases 2001: 2 Cases 2005: 4 Cases 2006: 20 Cases Lee

31 County Health Department (CHD) Response: Began immediate response in early July, one day after cluster 3 s to county and city government, local tourist bureaus Tourist bureaus contacted realtors and hotel/condominiums Newspaper p articles on 4 separate dates in early to mid July After cluster 4 and 5, Lee CHD issued a 2nd Notice

32 LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT For Immediate Release Date: July 18, 2006 Dangers Associated With Eating Shellfish Harvesting Clams Has Led To Hospitalizations Eleven people have become ill after eating clams THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT STRONGLY DISCOURAGES EATING SHELLFISH FROM LOCAL WATERS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning associated with red tide blooms - can cause numbness Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating shellfish h should seek immediate medical care. Note: cooking will not eliminate any danger of poisoning.

33 Police were sent door to door (per city manager of Sanibel) Reverse 911 system activated Signs posted at beach access points Flyers passed out at all toll booths into region Alert message on EM System for ER departments in region Lee CHD epidemiologist was interviewed on TV x 3

34 What we have learned?

35 What we have here is a failure to communicate

36 3 Additional NSP Outbreaks Cluster 6: (October 2006) Cluster 7: ( November 2006) Cluster 8: (New Years Eve 2006)

37 Public Health Lessons: Coordination with other agencies is critical for response Intensive local l campaigns successful but Cases may reappear after campaigns end All cases involved recreationally harvested clams How to educate revolving population Many cases involve foreign tourists (5) or individuals of Asian descent (7) vacationing in the area Language barriers Cultural expectations Customary food behaviors

38 Summary Development of outreach materials are effective methods for HAB public education at appropriate times Websites can enhance information provided by outreach materials and add technical material Toll free toxin hotline useful to discuss/educate HAB issues with the public and establishes a HAB database Important to include scientists, educators, graphic artists, local activists and media/pr specialists Outreach activities offer excellent opportunities for interaction between the community and scientists

39 Partners

40 Financial Support for these activities provided d by: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Environmental Health Fl Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Zone Management Program Fl Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Red Tide Control and Mitigation Fund

41 Aquatic Toxins Program Andrew Reich Program Coordinator Division of Environmental Health (850) Ext