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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08042009 - D.6RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT an oral report from the Health Services Department on the H1N1 (Swine) Flu and the strategies and plans being developed to respond to this health crisis and prepare for seasonal flu. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact from this report - information only. BACKGROUND: 1. As of July 21, 2009, 80 people in the county have been hospitalized with H1N1 with 5 deaths. 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that we will continue to see cases of H1N1 flu throughout the summer with increasing cases and illness in the community in the fall and winter. 3. The response to this health crisis has been department-wide and has involved a variety of partners throughout the county. 4. Health Services is working with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community clinics to plan for possible surges in patients seeking APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 08/04/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Julie Freestone I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: August 4, 2009 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: D. 6 To:Board of Supervisors From:William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director Date:August 4, 2009 Contra Costa County Subject:Update on the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus and Preparations for Seasonal Flu BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) care during the next flu season. 5. A new vaccine for H1N1 is being developed which will need to be provided to the public, if and when it becomes available, through Health Services Health Centers, Public Health and other community and private providers. 6. Health Services plans to provide regular, seasonal flu vaccine through Health Services Health Centers and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. Private health care providers, Kaiser, community clinics and pharmacies will also be offering seasonal flu vaccine as usual. Public Health will be administering seasonal flu vaccine at school-based clinics during the week and at large drive-through venues on Saturdays in order to ensure that vaccine is available to everyone who wants it. When the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, depending on the supply and recommendations, we may use all of these channels to provide vaccine. Public awareness and education are primary to all of our efforts. Today we’re going to discuss: A. The current situation with H1N1 in Contra Costa and how Health Services is working with partners to respond to the continuing outbreak B. What’s being done in Public Health, Health Centers, the Regional Medical Center and the Health Plan to prepare for seasonal flu prevention C. Some of the issues related to the H1N1 vaccine and how it may be distributed and provided to County residents D. How the Board of Supervisors and the community can continue to receive up-to-date information CLERK'S ADDENDUM Dr. Walker, Health Services Director, introduced staff from the Health Services Department present to update the Board on measures in place and future planning in their respective areas to address seasonal and swine (H1N1) influenza: Kim Cox, Emergency Services Manager, Public Health; Art Lathrop, Director of Emergency Medical Staff; Erika Jenssen, Immunization Coordinator, Public Health; Dianne Dunn-Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of Ambulatory Care; Kathy Ferris, Manager of Infection Prevention and Control; Patricia Tanquary, Chief Executive Officer, Contra Costa Health Plan. He indicated that stockpiles of relevant medications are in place and surveys completed by public and private providers indicate the anti-virals are being prescribed only when appropriate. He said a plan for the procurement and distribution of vaccines is nearly complete including outreach of public information in both english and spanish, continued use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and the County Health Services website (cchealth.org), which is updated weekly, as well as efforts to include pamphlet distribution via the school districts. Dr. Walker said the County has developed a medical reserve corp of volunteers ready to respond in an emergency and said that personal protective equipment and special equipment such as inflatable tents for expanded capacity have and continue to be placed in strategic locations. Additionally, he added, procedural and staffing partnerships have been developed among the public and private health providers and many local pharmacies. Dr. Walker said the Health Services Department continues to encourage all to observe illness prevention measures and invites the public to visit www.cchealth.org for weekly updates on the flu viruses.