WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 11/09/2022 WICHITA FALLS-WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
p,c° NrY"'tikt November 9, 2022
v
Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District
1700 Third Street—Warren Assembly Room
3 Wichita Falls, Texas
Public Health
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Keith Williamson, M.D., Chair Physician—City Appointment
Lauren Jansen, Ph.D., R.N., Vice-Chair Registered Nurse—City Appointment
Jered Harlan, D.V.M. Veterinarian —City Appointment
David Carlston, Ph.D. Citizen At-Large—County Appointment
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENCE:
Paris Ward, M.A.,B.S., Secretary Citizen At-Large-City Appointment
Tonya Egloff, D.D.S. Dentist—County Appointment
BOARD MEMBERS UNEXCUSED ABSENCE:
Melissa Plowman Restaurant Association -City Appointment
OTHERS PRESENT:
Lou Kreidler, R.N., B.S.N. Director of Health
Amy K. Fagan, M.P.A. Assistant Director of Health
Woodrow W. Gossom, Jr. County Judge
Robert McBroom, M.D., FACP Health Authority
Michael Smith Council Liaison
I. CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williamson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm after a quorum of members attained.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ABSENCES
Dr. Williamson asked Lou to clarify a statement she made on page 3. The word epidemic should be endemic.
Dr. Williamson called for the review and approval of the September 9, 2022 minutes.
A motion was made by Dr. Lauren Jansen to approve the minutes as amended and Dr. David Carlston seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Excused absence noted for Paris Ward and Dr. Tonya Egloff.
III. Ebola Virus Update
Lou introduced Brandi Smith, the new Health &Wellness Administrator, to discuss updates on Ebola.
What is Ebola Virus Disease?
It is a deadly disease with occasional outbreaks that occur mostly on the African Continent.
First discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Transmission is by Direct Physical Contact with body fluids, contaminated objects and tissues of animals.
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SYMPTOMS
Fever
Aches and pains
Weakness and fatigue
Sore throat
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain, Diarrhea and Vomiting
Unexplained Hemorrhaging
On September 20,2022,the ministry of Health in Uganda,together with the World Health Organization—Regional
office for Africa confirmed an outbreak of EVD due to Sudan Ebola Virus in Mubende District, Uganda, after one
fatal case was confirmed.
The Index case was a 24-year-old man, in Mubende District. The patient experienced high fever, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, and had been vomiting blood since September 11,2022. Samples were collected on September
18,2022 and EVD was laboratory-confirmed on September 19. The patient died on the same day, five days after
hospitalization.
On October 15, 2022,the President of Uganda imposed a 21 day lockdown on Mubende and Kassanda Districts'
to contain the outbreak of EVD. Measures include an overnight curfew, closing places of worship and
entertainment and restricting movement in and out of the two Districts.
On October 28, 2022, the Ministry of Health in Uganda implemented measures to restrict travelling of contacts of
confirmed Ebola cases during the follow-up period (21 days).
Previously, EVD in Uganda was reported in 2019 due to Zaire(Zy-ear) Ebola Virus, which was imported from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. EVD outbreaks caused by Sudan Ebola Virus have previously occurred in
Uganda (four outbreaks) and Sudan (three outbreaks). The last'outbreak of EVD due to Sudan Ebola virus in
Uganda was reported in 2012.
As of November 2,2022,there have been 131 confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease including 48 deaths(case
fatality rate: 37%).
Among these at least 18 Healthcare workers were infected of whom six died.
There are also 21 probable cases who died before samples were obtained for confirmation.
61 cases have recovered.
There was a large increase in cases in Kassandra District in week 43. However only one new case was reported
during week 44.
Health officials have identified 3,794 contacts of cases from 14 Districts in Uganda (51% of identified contacts
have completed 21 days of monitoring).
There are currently seven Ugandan-Districts affected by this outbreak.
Uganda is screening all air passengers out of Uganda. Five airports in the US are conducting risk assessments
&screenings. _
As of 10/31/22, there are 135 persons under monitoring in Texas.
Zaire vaccine is FDA approved, but not effective on Sudan Strain. The serum institute of India plans to
manufacture 20,000 to 30,000 doses of an experimental Ebola vaccine by the end of November for use in the
trials against the outbreak in Uganda. its developers and company sources said, there have been no proven
vaccines found yet for Sudan Strain of Ebola.
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QUESTION:
Lou—the Health District has meetings with staff and Community partners. We are notified when travelers arrive
and follow them for 21 days. We receive text messages and risk assessments on them. We never meet face to
face with them.
Lauren Jansen asked if there are any students exposed.
Lou stated no students.
Dr. McBroom stated risk assessments are more effective and we are more prepared now. Contact is the highest
form of transmission.
IV. Fellowship Program
Amy asked what is the Fellowship?
Fellowship is a training program for individuals currently seeking their undergraduate or graduate degree
with an interest in public health.
Part-time, 20-40 hours per week paid position.
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Three Fellowship positions located at the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District.
For the fellowship, fellows will determine the Public Health division they are most interested in experiencing.
Fellows will explore the daily lives of those in Public Health and gain valuable hands-on knowledge. The division
they can engage in include:
Preparedness
Epidemiology
Environmental
Animal Services
Immunizations
STI
TB •
Prevention
Women, Infant, Children (WIC)
Disease Intervention Services (DIS)
Laboratory
Community Benefits
Provides knowledge and skills specific to public health
Creates public health advocates
Partnership with local schools enhances our relationships
Expands& bridges clinical and laboratory placements with MSU, Vernon &WFISD CEC
Organization Benefits
An expansion of prior practice to help students
Past projects include
New Employee Orientation
New Employee Welcome
Policy Availability—web-based
Amy—the Fellowship Program allocates more money to help College students find internships in Public Health.
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Dr. Williamson asked when the program starts?
Amy said the program has already started.
Lou —we have more business-
Lou introduced and recognized the following Board of Health members that have served on the Board and will
be leaving at the end of 2022. Each were given a plaque and thanked for their service.
Dr, Lauren Jansen 2018 -2022
Dr. David Carlston 2014—2022
Judge Woodrow W. Gossom, Jr. For of over 20 years
Dr. Williamson is there any other business?
V. NEXT MEETING DATE
Next meeting will be January 13, 2023.
VI. ADJOURN
Dr. Williamson adjourned the meeting at 12:50.
Si at re
Print Name - Keith Williamson, MD, Chair, Lauren Jansen, PhD, RN, Vice-Chair,
Paris Ward, MA, BS, Secretary
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