Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health December 10th, 2015 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Dr. Prince Dr. Drachler Dr. Usman Dr. Dave Dr. Sood Ms. Varma Ms. Nikitsch Dugan Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Williams Dr. Gaynes Dr. Topouzian Dr. Polin Dr. Luka Ms. Urbanus Mr. Nidetz Dr. Vernon Mr. Pandya Dr. Werner Dr. Catherine A. Counard, Director of Health Bruce A. Jones, Staff 1. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Dr. Prince, Acting Chairman. 2. Approval of Minutes –The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 3. Dr. Roger S. Nasci, PhD, Director North Shore Mosquito Abatement District Please refer to the accompanying presentation for all of the details. A few highlights: NSMAD Mission Reduce the risk of disease from mosquito- borne viruses. Minimize the negative impact mosquitoes have on the quality of life in the District. Utilize Integrated Pest Management which includes: Detailed understanding of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, Surveillance & Action Thresholds, Source Reduction, Larval Control, Adult Mosquito Control and Public Outreach & Education WNV Surveillance Indices looking at: Abundance: Number of mosquitoes collected per trap in each night Infection rate: proportion of adult mosquitoes carrying WNV Vector Index: Number of WNV-infected mosquitoes collected per trap night Source Reduction Clean-up discarded items that may provide a breeding site for mosquitoes, Neglected Swimming Pools, Neglected Construction Site, Toys in the Yard and “IF IT CAN HOLD WATER, IT CAN BREED MOSQUITOES” Larval Control & Adult Mosquito Control application methods where discussed in-depth, along with NSMAD WNV Surveillance data between 2012 and 2015. Dr. Nasci stressed that there is an increased of WNV associated with warmer temperatures between January – March and less precipitation between April – June. Discussion about Dr. Nasci presentation: Dr. Prince asked about the different mosquitoes causing the illness. Dr. Nasci replied that dry conditions and high heat provide the most conducive conditions for the breeding of Culex mosquitoes which are the primary carriers of WNV. Dr. Werner asked how the District is funded. Dr. Nasci explained that in 1927 mosquito abatement legislation created a separate taxing body and the funds are included in your tax bill. The state budget issue does not impact the NSMAD budget. Mr. Pandya asked how far mosquitoes fly and does the district treat the sewer system? Dr. Nasci explained that depends on the species – Culex generally flies less than one mile, while floodwater mosquitoes can travel up to 10-20 miles on prevailing winds. Dr. Nasci added that all catch basin are treated as well as combined sewer systems. Skokie has a combined sewer system. Dr. Topouzian asked what the symptoms are for WNV. Dr. Nasci stated that symptoms can range from very mild flu like symptoms to much more severe febrile illness that requires hospitalization. A very broad spectrum of cases is seen. Dr. Topouzian asked about how the test for WNV in humans is conducted. Dr. Nasci responded that the test for WNV in humans is a serological assay for antibodies. The virus id rarely found as humans tend to clear the blood system quickly. A student asked if they test birds for WNV. Dr. Nasci explained they do not but birds are collected and sent to an outside lab for testing. They are used more a sentinel Dr. Vernon asked how NSMAD obtained the human case data shown in the presentation graphs. Dr. Nasci stated they received the data from IDPH and also the local health departments in their region. Mr. Zazra commented that when NSMAD receives information about a human case, they will send staff out to the area and look for possible mosquito breeding locations that could have contributed to the illness. Mr. Jones also commented that Skokie communicates closely with the district and will give general case information such as onset date and the address block location so NSMAD and Health Department staff can investigate. Mr. Abbasi questioned the safety of the mosquito adulticide used and asked how long it lasts. Dr. Nasci explained the products have an extremely low toxicity to mammals. EPA studies show little risk. When the product is applied at such a low dose there is little concern. They use a broad spectrum insecticide that is applied at night when other pollinator’s are not active. Dr. Vernon asked if they thought WNV was endemic. Dr. Nasci said yes it went across the United States in 4-5 years and has been seen over the entire hemisphere. Dr. Vernon asked if there were other arboviral viruses to be concerned about. Dr. Nasci explained that while there has been press about Chikungunya virus, we do not have the correct mosquito vectors in northern Illinois. Dr. Prince asked if they are working on a human vaccine. Dr. Nasci said yes but unfortunately there is no market and as such none have gotten past a Phase I clinical vaccine trial. The science is there to make a good vaccine. Dr. Counard mentioned that we collaborate very closely with NSMAD. Mr. Jones gave a brief overview of the Health Department WNV surveillance program that is funded by Federal & States grants. During this past year there were very high numbers of mosquitoes due to the wet weather. We exhausted our funding and NSMAD continued to monitor our traps for the remainder of the WNV season. Ms. Nikitsch Dugan thanked NSMAD for their work and the e-mail and mapping aspect on the web. She had numerous people sign up for this feature last year. Mr. Zazra said it has been a great tool for public outreach. Dr. Counard is pleased Dr. Nasci has joined NSMAD as Skokie & Evanston have had higher rates of WNV over the years. Dr. Nasci agreed and mentioned that the combination of habitat and breeding grounds in this area are an issue. Dr. Counard added that Dr. Drachler was excused tonight and Dr. Williams, who had planned to chair the meeting, had a surgical procedure that kept him from attending. Dr. Counard welcomed two students Sara and Miguel from Niles North High School. They are writing a final essay for a civics class on community engagement and are attending this meeting for the project. 4. Chair’s Report None, Dr. Counard announced to the Board that due to various personal and professional reasons Ms. Margaret Langguth has resigned from the Board of Health. 5. Director’s November Monthly Report highlights – a copy is attached School-located flu shot clinics The Health Department collaborated with Health Heroes and Skokie School Districts 68, 69, and 73.5 to give students flu shots at school. Health Heroes is a national organization specializing in school immunization clinics. A total of 381 students were vaccinated through this pilot program that was well received by school leaders and parents. We plan to include all Skokie schools next year. Let’s hope for fewer school flu outbreaks this season Rethink Your Drink demonstration at Oakton Community College Employee Health Fair Mr. David Clough, Public Health Analyst, and I staffed an educational table at the Oakton Community College Employee Health Fair demonstrating the sugar content of popular canned and bottled beverages. Many employees were startled to learn the amount of excess sugar they consumed from beverages each day Health Director gives Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan update presentation at Library I gave a presentation to Skokie residents describing the ongoing work to fulfill the priorities of the community health plan. For this lively discussion I was joined by Ms. Evonda Thomas, Director of the Evanston Health Department, Dr. Avery Hart, Medical Director of the Erie Evanston/Skokie Family Health Center, and Dr. Muhammed Paracha, Executive Director of Asian Human Services Family Health Center. The event was held at the Skokie Public Library. Discussion: Dr. Counard mentioned that the State does not yet have an FY16 budget. However, the Federal Government has order Illinois to release Federal grant funds. Governor Rauner wants all municipalities to spend their reserves to maintain services. Dr. Prince asked if the Village has budget reserve funds. Dr. Counard explained that by Village ordinance reserves must be maintained, however these funds were reduced during the recent economic downturn and have not yet been fully replenished. Mr. Abbasi asked about the Health Department budget expenditures, and how we will manage without state funding. Dr. Counard explained we have a 1.3 million budget, mostly for personnel, and our expenditures are reflected in the monthly report. For now, there are sufficient funds available to continue 6. Old Business Dr. Counard mentioned we have obtained child obesity data from School District 65. A first eyeball look at the data appears to be similar to the other schools in Skokie. We will analyze the data and will report back at a future meeting. Dr. Gaynes asked what will be done with the data. Dr. Counard explained that it has been shared with Skokie elected officials, Board of Health, IPLAN Committee, Skokie schools and publicized in an aggregate report on the Village website. We have met with all of the school district to gather information about their current activities to prevent childhood obesity and consider what else can be done to address the issue. Dr. Counard will look to have a representative from District 219 come and speak at a future meeting. Dr. Counard updated the Board that Dr. Drachler has met with Mayor Van Dusen regarding the Board request to increase the age to sell or purchase tobacco products in Skokie to age 21. We will get further information from Dr. Drachler at the January meeting. Dr. Counard distributed the final draft of the Skokie 2016 Community Health Survey. The survey results will be used to develop the 2017 Community Health Plan, as part of our state-recertification process. The Village Manager’s Office requested that the two questions on being treated unfairly be removed from the survey at this time. Mr. Lockerby wanted additional time to consider the best method for bringing these important concerns forward, which focus on racism, and would prefer to see wider engagement on this issue. Dr. Counard assured the Board that their concerns have been heard by Village leadership. On the other hand, the exciting news is that the survey will be translated into the top five languages spoken in Skokie for both hard copies and on our website. The languages will be Urdu, Arabic, Korean, Russian and Spanish. These languages were established through consultation with the Skokie Public Library foreign languages services, the Niles Township English Language Learner (ELL) Center and the Village Community Development Planning Division. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.