Approved Minutes of January 22, 2025

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH January 22, 2025 A. Media Items Libbie Hough, Communications Manager, presented the media packet to the board. Topics included: the current Opioid Settlement Funds grant funding cycle, service for Western NC in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and rabies cases in Orange County. She also shared that there is currently a freeze in public communications for Federal agencies as the new administration settles in, which will hopefully be temporary. Media items were in the packet, which focused on Orange County's events, our involvement in various efforts, and various public health topics. B. Health Directors Report Ms. Stewart presented her report to the Board. Below are brief highlights of her report. • Ms. Stewart opened her report by giving kudos to health department and other local government staff for their hard work over the past week to provide support for cold weather cots during the arctic blast. • Ms. Stewart thanked Dr. Nickelson and Mr. Whitaker for attending an emergency preparedness event in November and shared that Orange County Health Department received a certificate from ANCBH. • Recently, Ms. Stewart met with the new county commissioner, Marilyn Carter, and she expressed an interest in environmental health. Her background includes working on the planning board so there may be opportunities for collaboration. • There is a new system for Child Fatality Review and Reports coming; Ms. Stewart recently presented to the BOCC about the changes to annual Child Fatality Reporting. Beginning in July, the health department will switch to a new software system for Child Fatality Review. • Ms. Stewart recapped several recent changes in state leadership, including Secretary Dr. Devdutta Sangvai replacing former Secretary Kody Kinsley and the departure of State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson. Ms. Stewart commented that the Health Department has worked closely with Dr. Tilson in the past and that she will be missed. • Related to Dr. Pickett's comments, Louisiana has had the first human death caused by H5N1 avian influenza. Ms. Stewart reiterated that people and animals should avoid consuming raw foods and raw milk to reduce their risk. Dr. Rodgers asked if people should be cautious with things like backyard bird feeders, to which Dr. Pickett replied that experts are saying that if people are washing their hands after handling their bird feeders and regularly sanitizing the bird feeders (both of which are already best practices), then it should be okay. Dr. Royce asked about whether backyard bird feeders could pose an increased risk to domestic chickens, as she has egg-laying hens in her backyard. Dr. Pickett replied that she is not fully aware of the current guidance for this, but anything that increases the number of birds in a space could present an increased risk as there would be more opportunities for exposure. • There is an upcoming event hosted by the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH), A State of Affairs of Dental Public Health in NC, which will be held virtually on Monday February 10tn • Dr. Stuebe commented on the book The Sum of Us, which Ms. Stewart referenced in her report. She said that the book discusses how policies that damage equity and inclusion are bad for everyone, giving the example of how communities in the South chose to fill in rather than integrate public swimming pools, meaning ultimately no one had access to S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ January Page 8