WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 07/12/2024 WICHITA FALLS-WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
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Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District
1700 Third Street- Clements Conference Room
Wichita Falls. Texas
Public Health
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Keith Williamson, M.D., Chair Physician - City Appointment
Melissa Plowman Restaurant Association -City Appointment
Tonya Egloff, D.D.S. Dentist-County Appointment
Jered Harlan, D.V.M. Veterinarian -City Appointment
Nichole Jefferson, RN Registered Nurse-City Appointment
Raymond Forsythe Citizen At-Large-County Appointment
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENCE:
Rachel Reitan, DNP, FNP-c Citizen At-Large- City Appointment
OTHERS PRESENT:
Amy K. Fagan, M.P A Director of Health
Brandi Smith, B S RN Assistant Director of Health
Judge Jim Johnson County Judge
Michael Smith City Liaison
I. CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williamson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:06 pm after a quorum of members
attained.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ABSENCES
Dr. Williamson called for the review and approval of the May 10, 2024 minutes.
Dr. Williamson asked for a motion to approve the minutes.
Melissa Plowman made a motion to approve and Dr. Tonya Egloff seconded. The minutes were
approved unanimously.
III. Food Ordinance Update
Amy spoke and updated everyone on the Food ordinance. It was taken to City Council the beginning
of June and it passed. There was a few questions but no issues. Dr. Williamson came to represent
the Board of Health and we really appreciate it. We also had several restaurants representatives come
and speak. The Food Bank came and spoke. Thank you for supporting it. The information is on our
website. The graphic has been updated and we have sent out information to targeted groups as we
make the transition. We have 60 days effective date from when we notified the State. It will be August
before it goes into effect. We took it to the County and it was passed and we will be going to
Burkburnett, Iowa Park and Electra in the coming months.
Amy said we will be looking at Body Art next.
IV. Vector Control Update
Dr. Williamson introduced Samantha Blair. She said yesterday the Department of State Health
Services talked about the first case of West Nile Virus in Texas. They are asking everyone to be
vigilant in protecting themselves and their families against mosquito bites. As of yesterday 800
mosquito pools samples have been found with West Nile Virus and 15 of those are ours. Our website
is being updated with what Zones have been collected and which have positive mosquitos.
We normally see West Nile Virus towards the end of the summer when it is very hot. But, it is showing
up earlier. Samantha stated that 80% of people that get West Nile Virus show no symptoms.
Unfortunately, many mosquitoes in Texas are capable of spreading diseases, such as West Nile and
dengue.
The Culex mosquitoes are common in our area. They breed in water and emerge at dusk. They feed
through the night and lay 250 — 300 eggs per raft. The `Brood" hatch at the same time and grow from
an egg to adult in 7 — 10 days. We are going to be doing resistance testing and need lab grown
mosquitoes for this.
The Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to follow these steps to protect
themselves and their families from West Nile and other diseases spread by mosquitoes.
Wear long sleeves and pants.
Apply insect repellent. Use EPA registered repellent such as those containing DEET.
Remove standing water. Emptying out water that accumulates in your yard.
Ray Forsythe asked about an area off of 367 that is irrigated valley land, Ninety percent of the people
there are irrigating hay. But, if you have a house close, how do you combat the mosquitos?
Samantha stated that there is more on the domesticated mosquito then on the flood water species.
The best thing is to wear mosquito spray. She believes the one with Picaridin in it works well. The
purple, sensitive, Off Insect spray has Picaridin in it.
We encourage citizens to visit our Website. There is information on Mosquito testing and results,
spraying times. a map with the zones and results and a list of the chemicals we use.
V. Wellness Program Overview
Dr. Williamson introduced Will Carter, Wellness Program Administrator. Will talked about the different
grants and what they do. The Wellness Program has 4 different grants that work together to provide
prevention-based services to the community.
Health Equity Program
Health Promotions Program
Texas Healthy Communities Program
Community & Clinical Health Bridge Project
Will showed a slide show on all the grants and went over each one and how they work together.
They offer information and classes on CPR, Nutrition, Bike Safety, Cooking Classes, Tobacco
Cessation, Live Well Resource Database, Demonstration Gardening Project, Heart Attack and Stroke
Presentations, Chronic Disease & Pain Self-Management, Stress Management & Mindfulness
Classes, Diabetes Self-Management & Prevention Classes.
Play Well — this program is designed to teach children and teens about health and wellness with
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interactive classes and activities. There is a partnership between the Health District and several
community partners. It offers a unique and comprehensive approach to promoting healthy habits.
The feedback has been discussions on hygiene, safety, and mental health.
Will stated that everything we do is free and paid for by the grant.
Vaping Preventative Health Talks—Surveyed 591 students at Burkburnett Middle School and the Boys
& Girls Club North West Summer Camp.
The top supportive comments are:
"I think every several months they should talk about vaping."
"I love the energy with these ladies!"
"1 think it's pretty cool that they came to our school to teach us about vaping and give a
visual representation."
"I like how the presenters went over everything about smoking. I think it was very good and made
me very aware."
The top constructive comments:
'more individual stories of smokers and vapers"
"play games with prizes to help engage "
"include more hands-on activities."
Next Steps -
Work Well —for the adults. We will do the same thing for the adults.
Mental Health — more interest about mental health in the community. 92.3% of kids say they are
worried. 87.5% say they are sad. This is very concerning. Two positives came out of the survey. 85%
believe the can change a negative into a positive and 97.1% believe they can create positive things.
We want to provide the tools to help.
Health Coalition — feeds into the other two. Increase participation on our Health Coalition. especially
from Mental Health agencies.
Michael Smith asked about their access taking the programs to the schools.
Will said they ask the schools if they would like to participate and they have a few that say yes.
Michael asked about the Community Garden. Do they have any plans or goals to take it to other parts
of the city?
Will called it Demonstration Gardens. Will talked about spreading it to other areas.
Amy said we may be getting additional funding and will be able to help more.
Will handed out information about the programs.
VI. NEXT MEETING DATE
Next meeting will be September 13, 2024.
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VII. ADJOURN
Dr. Williamson adjourned the meeting at 12:42.
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Signatur
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Keith Williamson,MD,Chair,Tonya Egloff,D.D.S.,Vice-Chair,Nichole Jefferson,Secretary
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