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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2009 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 June 24, 2009 randomly chosen counties statewide for onsite assessment on the County SNS Plan. The SNS Plan describes Orange County’s systems used to request, receive, store, distribute and dispense large quantities that make up the SNS assets. It sets forth lines of authority, roles and responsibilities, and organizational relationships between Federal, State and local governments. The plan was successfully activated for the H1N1 Flu event this past spring, as all North Carolina counties received 25% of our SNS supplies (anti-virals, masks) from the federal government in May. The recent novel influenza H1N1 flu outbreak has been widely covered by the national and local media. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza H1N1 virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway with more than 70 countries now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. Orange County has confirmed cases that are being successfully treated by UNC Hospital and local practitioners in the same manner as they would treat the seasonal flu. State public health says to expect increased numbers of H1N1 flu cases, and Orange County Public Health is being proactive in communicating best practices of safe hygiene with the hospital, private practitioners and the general public. State public health has released their flu plan, which Orange County will be reviewing. The current plan is to have 95% of the Department staff as well as school nurses fit- tested by August and to exercise a point of dispensing portion of the SNS plan. Tim Carey asked how many shots would be likely to be required. Dr. Summers stated that it is unknown at this time but possibly 2 separate vaccinations for H1N1 and one for the seasonal influenza. The H1N1 vaccine is still under development. C. Nominating Committee: At-Large Recommendation Anissa Vines reported that Sharon Freeland, a current At-Large representative of the Board is completing her first full term June 30, 2009 and has declined a second term. The Nominating Committee has screened all current applications that qualify for the at large slot and met with the candidates recommended at the May Board of Health meeting. Anissa Vines reported that the nominating committee recommended the name of Christopher Cooke to be forwarded to Commissioners for appointment. The committee felt Mr. Cooke’s vast experience in the public health arena would bring added dimension and be a great asset to the Board. The Commissioners will not be acting on any of our new appointments until their August meeting. The staff will likely try to proceed with orientation of the nominees this summer if the recommended nominees are willing to invest the time without being formally appointed until August. This will enable the Board to get a good start in August with four brand new members and two current members with less than a year of experience. Motion to forward the recommendation of Christopher Cooke to fill the At-Large vacancy on the Board of Health to the Board of County Commissioners for action was made by Tim Carey, seconded by Matt Vizithum, and carried without dissent.