A state Ebola task force recommends creating a bio-containment unit to specialize in the care of children and identifying quarantine facilities for animals.
In a 174-page final report released Thursday, the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response includes and builds on earlier task force recommendations.
The report includes a reproach of federal health officials regarding available information on experimental drugs. The task force says a letter asking the Food and Drug Administration commissioner for briefings on experimental Ebola therapies was ignored. An FDA spokeswoman deferred comment until the report can be reviewed.
Key recommendations from the report include:
Education of Institutions, Health Care Providers, First Responders, and Others
Education of diverse health care professionals is essential for the initial identification, assessment, triage, care and isolation of patients with Ebola or other uncommon but high consequence infectious diseases. Based on an Oct. 17 task force recommendation, a collaborative educational effort has been launched via a multi-disciplinary group convened by Dr. Ray Greenberg, executive vice chancellor for health affairs with The University of Texas System, to establish applicable content and processes.
Care and Monitoring of Domestic Animals
Significant consideration should be given to the care, monitoring, and disposition of domestic animals, especially pets. The task force recommends implementation of state-specific guidelines for handling and testing domesticated animals potentially exposed to highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola. The state should identify quarantine facilities for holding and testing potentially exposed animals; identify a veterinary first-responder team that will deploy to disease emergency events; and develop continuing education and online resources for veterinary practitioners.
Development of Mobile App for Real-time Data Support to Public Health Officials
The state Department of Social and Health Services should establish collaboration with external partners to develop a real-time monitoring system of individuals who have come in contact with an individual who has contracted an infectious disease. The task force, in coordination with Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP), has initiated beta testing of a newly developed mobile phone-based, scalable, real-time system to assist for temperature and symptom data support for individuals potentially exposed to Ebola or other infectious diseases.
Establishment of Biocontainment Treatment Facilities and Pediatric Unit
Following the task force's release of initial recommendations in October, the state designated two biocontainment treatment facilities - the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a new facility in North Texas made possible through a partnership with three of the region's leading health care providers, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Methodist Hospital System and Parkland Hospital System. To ensure that all patient populations receive the appropriate specialized care necessary, the task force recommends that in collaboration with Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, the state should support the establishment and ongoing operation of a dedicated Pediatric Biocontainment Treatment Unit, which will specialize in the care of infants and children with Ebola and other high consequence infectious diseases.
Gov. Rick Perry assembled the task force after Texas became the first U.S. state an Ebola case was diagnosed. Its mission is to advise Texans responding to the Ebola virus and other infectious diseases.
