Orange County NC Website
MINUTES - Draft <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />June 26, 2019 <br />S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2019 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 4 <br />The BOH had questions that were addressed by Mr. Green. <br /> <br />C. Annual Communicable Disease (CD) Report <br /> <br />Michael DeFranco, Public Health Services Manager, gave an overview of the communicable <br />disease data for the year 2018. Mr. DeFranco began with an overview of the CD department in <br />the OCHD. He also noted that this meets Accreditation Benchmark 2.5. Some of the highlights <br />from the information he gave during his presentation include: <br /> <br />Foodborne Illness – There was a 20% increase in Salmonella cases which was attributed to <br />home chicken coups. <br /> <br />Vaccine Preventable Diseases – There was an increase in Pertussis cases as there was a <br />school-age outbreak in which about 90% of the cases were fully vaccinated. <br /> <br />Vectorborne Illnesses – There was an increase in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever cases; <br />however, the numbers may be somewhat inaccuate as most physicians don't test before <br />starting treatment if Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is strongly suspected based on the patients’ <br />symptoms. <br /> <br />Waterborne Illnesses – Cases of Cryptosporidium were attributed to foreign travel and exposure <br />to others with the illness. <br /> <br />Sexually Transmitted Diseases – There was a drop in chlamydia and gonorrhea. There were no <br />new HIV cases. We’ve pushed the use of PrEP in our clinics. <br /> <br />Outbreaks – The Pertussis outbreak took place in multiple middle and high schools in Orange <br />County and occurred from January to May 2018. There were 23 confirmed cases. <br /> <br />Other Relevant Data – Rabies investigations are plentiful. There were 2 TB cases last year; 1 <br />resulted in death. The state has mandated that we report any cases of the Carbapenem- <br />resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) superbug. <br /> <br />Mr. DeFranco briefly mentioned the Meningoccal outbreak that occurred during the tenure of his <br />predecessor that resulted in a mass vaccination of 16,000 people. He also spoke of a Hepatitis <br />A initiative in OC jail and prison that’s in its infancy that gives 1 free dose of the Hepatitis A <br />vaccine to high risk population. There’s 95% immunity after the 1st dose. Usually , the vaccine <br />is given as in 2 doses; they’re monitoring the initiative for its impact. Two weeks ago, there was <br />a Measles symposium attended by our medical director as well as providers and schools that <br />involved discussion around how to prepare and handle any outbreaks. <br /> <br />D. Innovation Grant Update <br /> <br />Victoria Hudson, Environmental Health Director, provided updates on the 2018-2019 projects, <br />the status on the 2019-2020 process and the sustainability of former projects. Below is a <br />summary: <br /> <br />• Trauma-Informed Services for Immigrants & Refugees Trainings <br />o Trauma & Resilience - There were 57 evaluations collected from the 104 people that <br />attended this service provider training. Comments included that there is a need for <br />more of this type of training.