Orange County NC Website
MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />May 27, 2009 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 6 May 27,, 2009 <br />Motion to approve the Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy was made by Matt Vizithum, <br />seconded by Ernie Dodson, and carried without dissent. <br /> <br />D. H1N1 Response Report <br /> <br />Rosemary Summers reported that the Department had approximately a two and a half <br />week active response to the H1N1 nationwide outbreak. As of the Board of Health <br />meeting date there has only been 1 confirmed case in Orange County. That individual <br />is in self isolation and all close contacts have been given precautionary antivirals and <br />are monitoring themselves for symptoms. <br /> <br />Community education messages were distributed through churches and daycares. <br />Daily conference calls were held with community partners and the State. Health Alerts <br />were issued regularly to health providers as updates occurred. The Department <br />received 25% of the Orange County Strategic National Stockpile, which was received <br />and distributed under protocols developed for such an event. Antivirals were <br />distributed to agencies requesting supplies to treat the uninsured that were ill with <br />suspected H1N1. All time accounting expenses associated to the H1N1 outbreak are <br />being tracked by the department and will be used to draw down state and federal <br />funds. The April departmental expenditures for H1N1 response is estimated at $37,000. <br />These expenses were incurred prior to today’s confirmed Orange County case. This was <br />collected to illustrate how expensive a response of this type can be. <br /> <br />Matt Vizithum asked whether there were any associated cases to the Orange County <br />case. Dr. Summers stated that at this time there were none and that the exposure time <br />limit would expire in 2 days. He also asked what affect on the budget a vaccine for the <br />H1N1 in addition to the usual annual flu vaccine would have. Dr. Summers stated that <br />she did not know at this time. The department orders vaccine in the spring for flu <br />season in the fall and reduces the order in the spring as the need is more closely <br />calculated. This year the order will not be reduced as an increase in citizen requests for <br />vaccination is anticipated. <br /> <br />Steve Yuhasz asked what effect the H1N1 response has had on the Health Department <br />budget. Dr. Summers replied that the response to the outbreak is part of what the <br />Department is designed to do, therefore expenses are included within the framework of <br />the budget. She went on to say that several things, such as a TDAP vaccination at local <br />schools could not be done because staff was redirected due to the H1N1 outbreak, as <br />well as other work that was delayed due to the response. The staff have worked long <br />hours without compensation during a response such as this. <br /> <br />The CDC has stated that the incidence of seasonal flu has decreased; therefore <br />anyone exhibiting symptoms at this time would most likely have H1N1. <br /> <br />Rosemary Summers stated that she was invited to the UNC Administrative office to meet <br />via teleconference with representatives from all 17 of the UNC campuses. <br /> <br />E. Biosolids Research Project <br /> <br />Tom Konsler reported that he and Rosemary Summers met recently with representatives