LABORATORY GUIDE TO INTERPRETATION OF ENTERIC PATHOGENS

Abstract

This report details an experience with the North Carolina Division of Public Health Department of Health and Human Services (Communicable Disease Branch). The Communicable Disease branch works to unite local, state, and federal health agencies to monitor outbreaks, public health investigations, and health departments in the region. Real-time surveillance for the state is completed using the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NC EDSS), which requires state health officials to report various diseases for epidemiologic data and monitoring. Miscommunications over laboratory results and disease classification via the electronic-based reporting prompted the creation of a guide for laboratory interpretation of enteric pathogens for field use in North Carolina Health Departments. The guide was designed for quick reference in dayto-day use and in the hopes of providing resources for nurses across the state to better aid in disease classification and provide more reliable epidemiologic data. This guide serves as the capstone project.

In addition to work completed on enteric pathogens, the student generated an online survey linked to a database for a Zika Virus Registry in order to track infected mothers, their pregnancy progress, and infant health. This database consolidates information about Zika virus outbreaks across North Carolina and also generates reports to assist with tracking and categorizing cases and data points of interest.

The student assisted in updating templates used for survey outbreaks and disease classification for the North Carolina Communicable Disease Manual. The student also had the opportunity to participate in outbreak investigations regarding Naegleria fowleri, Escherichia coli O157, and Salmonella.