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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />June 26, 2003 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by V. Anne Miles 5 June 26, 2003 <br /> <br />Awards: Notification was received that the Community Health Awareness Program and <br />two other county programs received achievement awards from the National Association <br />of County Commissioners (NaCo). <br /> <br />SARS: The final report on the second special interest case has come back from the <br />CDC with a negative diagnosis for SARS, therefore, as far as the investigation is <br />concerned, there were no cases as a result of contact with the one confirmed index <br />case. A detailed epidemiological study of the workers at the Giles Horney Building was <br />conducted jointly by t he state, the University, the regional pubic health surveillance <br />team, and our staff. The purpose of that study was to determine if employees were <br />experiencing a common syndrome, to characterize any syndrome that existed, to <br />identify ill individuals, and to determine if the employees’ illnesses were <br />epidemiologically linked. Each agency responding group has conducted a “lessons <br />learned” session and a joint de-briefing will be held during July as part of a continuing <br />process of planning effective emergency responses. Cooperation among entities was <br />outstanding through this situation and communication improved steadily throughout. <br />The Health Department staff was outstanding in their public health duties and was <br />flexible in adapting to the developing situation. <br /> <br />Animal Control Ordinance Revisions: This summer the ACEH Committee will be <br />working with the county attorney’s office to examine possible changes that need to be <br />made to the Animal Control Ordinance for the county. Problems have been <br />experienced with the definitions and regulations around kennel operations. In <br />addition, the vicious dog sections need coordination with relevant state legislation <br />such as the dangerous dog law. The fine structure for violations needs to be updated <br />as well. The last changes in the ordinance were in 1997. <br /> <br />Grant Projects/New Grant Funds: <br />1. Healthy Carolinians – The department received notification that we have received a <br />grant from Kate B. Reynolds Foundation for support of our Healthy Carolinians <br />Coordinator’s salary and benefits. This is three-year funding in diminishing <br />amounts each year. This funding will replace state funds that are no longer <br />available for this support. This stable funding will allow the program to <br />concentrate on showing results rather than seeking funds to support the core <br />salary. <br /> <br />2. Emergency Planning – The department is in the process of preparing a “repeat” <br />application for development of a volunteer Medical Reserve Corps to provide <br />additional capacity for the department and the county in the event of a major event <br />that requires additional medical personnel. We have already begun to lay the <br />groundwork for organizing such a volunteer group through funding from the CDC <br />bioterrorism grant through the state. The state has informed us that funds will <br />likely be available in the coming year to continue these efforts. <br /> <br />3. Disparities Grant Planning – Staff has been working for the past year to define <br />programs and projects that would assist in reducing health disparities among our <br />minority populations. We will be discussing our ideas with staff at Kate B. Reynolds <br />Foundation with an eye to applying for funds in their August grant cycle. <br /> <br />4. Students and Student Projects – This summer we have many students working on <br />important projects for the department. They have provided us with a bright, fresh