Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/taraha...ost-taxpayers-68192-in-colorado/#2eb7c16d7107
Nov 25, 2017 @ 06:32 AM
Just Two Measles Cases Cost Taxpayers $68,192 In Colorado
Tara Haelle , Contributor
Even when infectious diseases don?t cause long-term serious harm, they cost money. When that disease is a serious, extremely contagious vaccine-preventable disease like measles, the costs run into tens of thousands of dollars?which come straight from taxpayers? pockets.
Most diseases that can be prevented by vaccines are ?notifiable diseases,? which means health care providers and local officials are legally required to report cases so that the government can track and respond to outbreaks and prevent further infections.
So aside from the cost of health care and lost productivity from missing work and school, notifiable diseases cost money for local, state and sometimes national officials to interview those infected, identify all others exposed to the disease, and take measures to prevent the disease from spreading.
In the case of two unrelated measles cases in Denver, Colorado between July 2016 and January 2017, the public funds needed for response, surveillance and disease control totaled $68,192. The cost included personnel and supply costs in Colorado?s Tri-County Health Department for Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties...
Nov 25, 2017 @ 06:32 AM
Just Two Measles Cases Cost Taxpayers $68,192 In Colorado
Tara Haelle , Contributor
Even when infectious diseases don?t cause long-term serious harm, they cost money. When that disease is a serious, extremely contagious vaccine-preventable disease like measles, the costs run into tens of thousands of dollars?which come straight from taxpayers? pockets.
Most diseases that can be prevented by vaccines are ?notifiable diseases,? which means health care providers and local officials are legally required to report cases so that the government can track and respond to outbreaks and prevent further infections.
So aside from the cost of health care and lost productivity from missing work and school, notifiable diseases cost money for local, state and sometimes national officials to interview those infected, identify all others exposed to the disease, and take measures to prevent the disease from spreading.
In the case of two unrelated measles cases in Denver, Colorado between July 2016 and January 2017, the public funds needed for response, surveillance and disease control totaled $68,192. The cost included personnel and supply costs in Colorado?s Tri-County Health Department for Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties...