The US Virgin Islands Department of Health, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be conducting door-to-door interviews for a Zika survey on June 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. Staff members from the Department of Health and CDC will be interviewing residents using a rapid assessment tool called CASPER which stands for “Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response.” This CASPER will assess communication and practices related to prevention of Zika in the community. Residents will be asked questions regarding Zika virus, mosquito control, and household emergency plans. NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED.
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2017
DOH to Conduct Surveys in Neighborhoods Throughout Territory
The US Virgin Islands Department of Health, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be conducting door-to-door interviews for a Zika survey on June 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. Staff members from the Department of Health and CDC will be interviewing residents using a rapid assessment tool called CASPER which stands for “Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response.” This CASPER will assess communication and practices related to prevention of Zika in the community. Residents will be asked questions regarding Zika virus, mosquito control, and household emergency plans. NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED.
The CASPER will also serve as a training exercise to prepare the Department of Health to respond during an emergency such as a hurricane. In the event of an emergency, the CASPER methodology allows officials to rapidly assess the status of a community.
Teams will be visibly out working in the community; they will be clearly identified by bright yellow t-shirts and will be wearing identifying badges and will be in teams of two. Residents in randomly selected neighborhoods may be visited at the following times:
St. Croix:
- June 26th between 1 PM and 6 PM
- June 27th between 8 AM and 6 PM
- June 28th between 8 AM and 12 PM
St. Thomas:
- June 28th between 1 PM and 6 PM
- June 29th and 30th between 8 AM and 6 PM
The Department of Health and CDC appreciate your help with this survey to improve Zika prevention efforts and strengthen the territory’s emergency response system.
To learn more about public health efforts in the USVI visit doh.vi.gov, or facebook.com/virginislandsdoh. For more information regarding the CASPER or Zika response in the USVI, call 340-712-6205.
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