?Donde Estaba Waldo……Eh? Update on the Binational Case Variable and Communication Protocol

Key Objectives:

1. Understand the public health need for including the Binational Case Variable in the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS)
2. Describe the Binational Case Variable as part of the generic data set for infectious conditions into NNDSS
3. Explain the proposed U.S.-Mexico binational communication pathway protocol
4. Understand positive outcomes of using the Binational Case Variable and communication pathway protocol
5. Understand the challenges of implementing the Binational Case Variable into NNDSS, and explain at least one approach on how to overcome these challenges

Brief Summary:
In 2013, CSTE approved a position statement for “Incorporating a Binational Variable into the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) Generic Variables.” The variable will capture potential exposure to an condition of public health concern in Mexico or Canada, and is to enhance the ability of public health partners to identify and respond to binational cases or outbreaks, and coordinate the crossborder response. Three state health departments have implemented the Binational Case Variable. They, together with three additional state health departments and one local public health jurisdiction, are also piloting a proposed U.S.-Mexico communication pathway protocol. While a total of 1,482 notifications have been made between December 2011 and October 2015 as part of the pilot, broader participation by states will achieve better monitoring and response to binational conditions. State health departments with the highest number of Mexican-born persons and select Northern border state health departments will have been contacted to learn about their experience or barriers with implementation of the Binational Case Variable or the Communication Pathway Protocol. The discussion will be anchored around a description of notifications of binationally notifiable conditions, challenges (e.g., revision of IT systems, educating investigators, getting specific country location) and positive outcomes (e.g., sharing of actionable information across the border, improving timeliness of the response, building relationships, better defining diseases of interest by the country, learning about actions taken by the other country), and additional findings from States. Participants will share their perspectives on challenges and potential solutions for expanding the implementation of the Binational Case Variable and binational communication pathway protocol.