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New Port Richey council addresses H1N1 planning

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By ERIC HORCHY

The Suncoast News

Published: October 31, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - The city council spent about an hour in a special meeting Thursday evening to better prepare New Port Richey and its residents for a possible swine flu outbreak.

Called to order Monday by Mayor Scott McPherson, the meeting's main objective was to be proactive by bringing together officials from various citywide services and health facilities.

Officials such as David Johnson, the Pasco County health officer and director of Pasco County Public Health Department, and Kathryn Gillette, CEO of Community Hospital of New Port Richey, addressed the council.

McPherson called the meeting in response to last week's declaration of a national emergency by President Barack Obama in relation to swine flu, and to sitting in on a conference call coordinated by the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Johnson said Pasco County has received about 18,000 doses of swine flu vaccine so far, and about 10,500 of those doses have been distributed. He added that the county health department is expecting a shipment of another 8,500 doses by next week.

Gillette touched on the issue of health care workers being a primary group for receiving vaccinations because of their constant close contact with patients. She said Community Hospital has mandated that all staffers and volunteers in contact with patients be vaccinated and that those who refuse because of personal or religious beliefs must wear masks during shifts.

Gillette also assured the council that Community Hospital's current emergency-response plan has it well-prepared for any local outbreaks.

Johnson told the council that Pasco County will start a vaccination program in area schools during the first week of November. Younger people are considered to be at greater risk of complications from swine flu.

More information is available at www.flu.gov or www.myflusafety .com, a Florida Department of Health Web site, or by calling the state hot line at 1-877-352-3581.

Eric Horchy can be reached at (727) 815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews. com. Keyword: Swine Flu, for more information on the virus.

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