The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be conducting door-to-door interviews for a Zika survey on June 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Staff members from the DOH 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.
CASPER will also serve as a training exercise to prepare the DOH 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, will be wearing identifying badges and will be in teams of two. Residents in randomly selected neighborhoods will be visited at the following times:
- St. Croix:
- June 26 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- June 27 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- June 28 between 8 a.m. and Noon
- St. Thomas:
- June 28 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- June 29 and June 30 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
DOH and CDC appreciate the public’s 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 U.S.V.I., visit www.doh.vi.gov or www.facebook.com/virginislandsdoh.
For more information regarding the CASPER or Zika response in the U.S.V.I., call 712-6205.