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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.17.22 Local Health Emergency Declaration for Avian InfluenzaFrom:York, Danette To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Hironimus, Patrizia; Kimmelshue, Tod; Lucero, Debra; Paulsen, Shaina; Pickett, Andy; Reaster, Kayla; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Valencia, Shyanne Cc:Hatcher, Casey; Nuzum, Danielle Subject:Local Health Emergency Declaration for Avian Influenza Date:Wednesday, August 17, 2022 7:27:22 PM Dear Board members, Today, 8/17/22 we were informed that California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) identified Avian Influenza in a large flock of privately owned birds in Butte County. Avian Influenza is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from birds to humans. The flock will need to be depopulated and the carcasses properly disposed of. The CDFA and USDA requires carcasses with Avian Influenza be disposed of in a Landfill since incinerating the carcasses could spread the disease. They prefer to dispose of them locally in the Neal Road Landfill. In order for the Neal Road Landfill to accept animal carcasses they have to get a waiver from Environmental Health Division of Public Health. In order for Environmental Health to issue a waiver there has to be a declared emergency. CDFA and USDA plan to begin the depopulation process on Thursday afternoon, 8/18/22 so we are all trying to get the documentation complete and in order before that occurs. Therefore, Dr. Canton and I are working with County Admin and County Counsel to declare a local health emergency due to the presence of Avian Influenza in a large number of birds (approximately 1500 birds). On Friday a supplemental agenda item will come out for Tuesday’s meeting in order for the BOS to ratify the health emergency declaration. You may recall that anytime there is a health emergency declared by the Health Officer, that emergency needs to be ratified within 7 days. If all goes as planned, an item will be on the following BOS agenda to terminate that emergency declaration. As soon as the final declaration is complete, I will forward you all a copy. Public Health and partners plan to put out a joint press release on Friday to coincide with the supplemental agenda item being released. An important note is that while Avian Influenza is infectious and can be very contagious, the only risk to humans at this time is anyone who has handled the live birds or the carcasses (without PPE). The risk we are preventing with this emergency declaration is potential spread if the carcasses were not disposed of properly. Respectfully, Danette York Public Health Director BUTTE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 202 Mira Loma Drive | Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3820 | F: 530.538.2164 FACEBOOK | TWITTER COUNTY OF BUTTE E-MAIL DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachment thereto may contain private, confidential, and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this e-mail (or any attachments thereto) by other than the County of Butte or the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you are NOT the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copies of this e-mail and any attachments thereto.