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WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 04/28/2000PLACE: TIME: DATE: 31*0_ WICHITA FALLS - WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD RECEIVED IN Wichita Falls- Wichita County Public Health diSttl& CLERK'S OFFICE 12:15 p.m. April 28, 2000 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Date . i . ai�1• -ft'y Time #,0 C. J. Lippard, Chairperson Sam R. Landers, DDS, Vice - Chairperson Michael Brooking, DVM, Secretary Diane Stewart, RN Russell Porter, Ph.D. Gregory Stockton Susan M. Strate, MD HEALTH DISTRICT Barbara J. Clements, RNC, Director of Health REPRESENTATIVES: Elia C. Dimitri, MD, MPH., Assoc. Medical Director Reuben A. Warren, Jr., Assistant Director of Health Barbara Sapp, Recording Secretary WICHITA CO. REPRESENTATIVE: None WICHITA FALLS CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Robert Powers, Ass't City Manager WICHITA FALLS CITY COUNCIL: None GUESTS PRESENT: Mrs. Peggy Scott SPEAKER: Roy Ressel, RS MINUTES: I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mr. Lippard at 12:15 p.m. II. Recognition of Outgoing Members Ms. Clements stated that she had invited Ms. Scott to the meeting today to present her with a plaque in appreciation of her dedication and service to the community and the Public Health Board. After the presentation, she thanked the Board and said she had enjoyed her years of service. Ms. Scott added that she plans to stay active in the community and perhaps, she will find another board to serve. Page 1 of 3 Pages Agenda Item No. Page 2 III . Approval of Minutes It was motioned by Dr. Porter and seconded by Dr. Landers that the minutes of February 25, 2000 be approved. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Next Meeting Date It was noted that the next meeting date would be as regularly scheduled and would be June 23, 2000. V. Vector Control Program Mr. Ressel, Environmental Health Coordinator, was presented to the Board. He passed out copies of an article that was published in a newspaper dated April 26', 2000 regarding West Nile virus in the United States. He explained that the West Nile (WN) virus is a mosquito borne virus that can cause encephalitis. Mr. Ressel stated that the WN virus outbreak occurred in New York, during the time of a drought in the Midwest and East coast areas and has been reported as being spread by birds. He further explained the history of the virus, prevention and control and stated experts feel the virus will continue to spread with the possibility of it crossing many areas of North America. Money has been appropriated and given to cities and states that are considered at risk for the virus to create surveillance programs to monitor the disease. The State of Texas is one of the 17 states allocated to receive funds from the Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Dimitri stated that early on some thought that bio- terrorism may have been a responsible cause of the outbreak. Mr. Ressel added that this was mentioned, also the possibility of birds being smuggled into the U.S and other even theorized that perhaps the cause could have been individuals coming into the U.S. Dr. Dimitri also noted that he has observed that most of the encephalitis infections in Texas occur around the Houston areas. Ms. Clements stated that there have been vacancies in the vector control state program that have not been filled and this was a problem when there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever. Mr. Warren added that Wichita Falls' Vector Control Division does mosquito surveillance and Mr. Ressel explained the steps of larviciding in mosquito infested areas. In answer to the question regarding the West valley area, Mr. Warren stated larviciding would help if the fields were not watered for a few days. However, the land owners are not willing to do that. Mr. Ressel finalized his presentation and stated that the WN virus has been confirmed in ticks as carriers in Africa, but not in the U.S. Mr. Powers inquired about insect repellents and it was stated that repellents do help. Dr. Landers stated that vanilla and a certain skin softener may be mixed and used as a repellent. Page 2 of 3 Pages Agenda Item No. Page 3 VI. Other Business Dr. Porter asked about the CHIP 90 days eligibility requirement. Ms. Clements stated this is still one of the requirements to be eligible to participate —that children must be without insurance coverage for at least 90 days. She explained that Cobra insurance program is the exception to the 90 day rule; however, she added that the first day of registration there were 12,000 applicants within six (6) hours. Ms. Clements explained the CHIP staff and the outreach program currently in place at the Health District. CHIP does not exclude pre- existing medical conditions. Dr. Dimitri stated that Residents may not be eligible to be CHIP providers because of the DEA number requirement. Dr. Strate stated that they are providers. Ms. Clements added that the Health District can provide someone to speak on the CHIP program, if anyone interested will contact the staff and set up a date. Dr. Porter stated he would like the next program at the Board meeting to be on CHIP in order that the Board members may get a better understanding of the program. A. Excused Absences - None VIII. Adjourn It was motioned by Ms. Stewart and seconded by Dr. Porter that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. Barbara A. Sapp Recording Secretary Michael Brooking, Secretary Public Health Board Page 3 of 3 Pages Agenda Item No.