Physician reporting, early treatment and case management play an important role in limiting the spread of these diseases. As most physicians know, the local County Health Department is a valuable resource for communicable disease and offers helpful information on local disease rates as well as useful resources on diagnosis and prevention of diseases. The emphasis on prevention is losing ground as economic views take precedence. Both Medicine and Public Health have concerns. Onsite and other waste treatment systems are woefully inadequate throughout the State.
Water tables are barely below the surface.
In order for a septic tank and drainfield to properly operate, percolation must occur. With the water tables so high, raw sewage is not effectively filtered and sewage can and does contaminate surface waters. Critical health problems will undoubtedly occur and worsen through the summer as a result. Pfisteria outbreaks are only an indicator of the disease-causing potential of our poor handling of waste. As you go about your daily medical practice, be an advocate for sensible preventive health care spending.