Download Testimony of Kathleen A Smith, DVM MPH Retired Public Health

Testimony of Kathleen A Smith, DVM MPH
Retired Public Health Professional
Ohio Public Health Association
HB 483
Senate Finance Committee
May 13, 2014
Chairman Oelslager and members of the Senate Finance Committee: My name is Kathleen Smith. I am
past-president of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, previous Health
Commissioner of Pickaway County and I served as the State Public Health Veterinarian Administrator
with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for over 25 years until my retirement in January 2013. I am
also representing the Ohio Public Health Association, the state’s largest professional association for
Ohio’s Public Health workforce and the Ohio affiliate of the American Public Health Association.
I am testifying today to support that GRF funding be reinstated for Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Disease
Program activities within the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). This program conducted surveillance
and prevention activities for mosquito and tick-borne diseases, as well as addressed rabies and other
animal-related public health issues. This program was a valuable resource to public health, human and
veterinary health professionals. Local health departments and mosquito control agencies depended on
ODH West Nile Virus (WNV) testing results to know where to best apply pesticides. WNV testing was
available to all public control agencies and timely standardized results provided early warning of virus
activity throughout the state.
Until 2010, the Zoonotic Disease Program was primarily funded by line item, GRF 407, and had an annual
appropriation of $650,000. In FY 2011 GRF 407 funding was eliminated. Federal funding for West Nile
Virus testing allowed the Zoonotic Disease Program to continue with mosquito testing, although it was
never intended (nor did) cover all costs for the WNV activities. But with reductions in Federal Funds in
2012, the West Nile testing and the arthropod identification laboratory closed in 2013.
The vector laboratory maintained a very active biting-arthropod identification service that was
extensively used by public health professionals. In addition to helping partners and the public with
infestation issues, entomologists were on top of changing populations of vectors that pose a health risk
to the public.
This is how ODH entomologists recognized that the Black-legged tick, the vector of Lyme disease was
expanding its range in Ohio. Experts expect human infections to increase. Historically, Ohio confirmed
about 50 human cases a year. According to a recent ODH email to health providers, confirmed human
cases almost doubled in 2014 to 93. This may be just a start. Pennsylvania, where this tick migrated
from, annually reports about 5,000 human cases. I believe that disease will be a big concern for our
citizens in the future.
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Lyme disease is only one of many emerging diseases carried by ticks (see Out for Blood, State
Legislators, Oct/Nov 13, pg. 26-29, http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/out-for-blood-sl-magazineoctober-2013635180332.aspx ).
There have been and will be continued public health threats involving animals and vectors. The Zoonotic
and Vector-borne Disease Program has been the only state program that puts public health first when it
comes to early recognition and prevention of animal and vector diseases. Local health agencies now
have minimal assistance when faced with a vector disease situation and health I believe there is a void in
our state’s preparedness ability. Several national organizations and associations, such as the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of City and County Health Officials stress
that in this age of international travel, the threat of new and emerging infectious diseases transmitted
by insects leaves us vulnerable if we don’t have an adequate ability to detect and defeat them quickly.
Last spring, the Ohio Public Health Association and many interested expert parties came to this
Committee during the Budget Hearing expressing our concerns. Since then, our advocacy group has
grown. In 2013, advocacy members participated on ODH’s own expert panel, The Ohio Arbovirus Task
Force, to update The Plan for Surveillance, Prevention and Control of West Nile Virus and Other
Arboviruses in Ohio (attached). ODH’s own Arbovirus Task Force concurred on the importance of
centralized mosquito testing.
In January of this year, the Zoonotic/Vector-borne Disease Advocacy group submitted an independent
MBR request to reinstate $650,000 funding for the Zoonotic Disease Program activities. This funding was
included in the House passed version of HB483, thanks to Representative Ruhl and Patterson. The
Advocacy group believes that Ohio needs to do surveillance and prevention planning for Lyme and other
tick-borne diseases as it has done for WNV, rabies and bed bugs.
We request that the Senate concur with the House Amendment to increase GRF appropriation item 440
- 451, Public Health Laboratory, by $650,000 in each fiscal year to reinstate a comprehensive vectorborne program for surveillance and prevention of tick and mosquito-borne diseases that are threats to
Ohio residents.
We would like to clarify that the funds will be used to develop and implement a state-wide plan to
address Lyme disease, including tick testing and to support local mosquito control programs
by arranging for centralized in-state testing of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and other diseases they
are known to transmit. To monitor for emerging diseases and vectors of human disease, the Program
shall maintain the expertise and laboratory capacity to identify other arthropods of public health
significance and to assist local health departments in the identification of public health insects and
vectors. I have attached possible temporary law language for your consideration. This concludes my
testimony. I would be happy to answer any questions the committee may have.
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