Amador County – On Tuesday, April 14th, the 31 participants of Sutter Amador Hospital’s Biggest Loser challenge celebrated a combined 203.5 pounds of weight loss in just 12 weeks. The competition, held from January 15 – April 9, was offered as part of the Live Well for Life program that is available to all Sutter Amador Hospital employees. The Biggest Loser title was awarded to Rene Darrow, a receptionist for Sutter Amador Women’s Services. Her 18 pound total weight loss equals 3% body fat and 4 inches off her waist. New York Fitness were on hand to present Rene with the grand prize of a one-year membership worth $576. Rene contributes her success to utilizing all resources provided. The Biggest Loser Competition was offered to all employees through the Live Well for Life program, a free benefit available to all SAH employees that provides those who enroll with access to a personal wellness coach and online resources. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Amador County Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann is relaying the news to Amador County residents of a recently announced H1N1, or “swine flu” global pandemic and what it means for Amador County. On June 11, the World Health organization raised the worldwide Pandemic Influenza Alert Level to Phase Six, the highest such designation for a flu outbreak. According to Hartmann, “this declaration is based on the sustained world wide spread of the H1N1 virus, not an increased severity of illness.” Most cases of the virus are relatively mild, and officials in the U.S. have been assuring Americans that the declaration means little in this country, where a pandemic mode has been in effect since late April. The U.S. currently accounts for roughly half of the world's swine flu cases — nearly 17,855 cases in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In California, there have been six deaths. One case of the virus was discovered in an Amador County man who returned from Mexico in mid-April, but Hartmann assures that that case was mild and the man recovered to full health without any propagation of the illness. “Amador County Public Health is continuing to meet with their partners - Sutter Amador Hospital, Amador County Sheriffs Office of Emergency Services, Department of Corrections, Amador County Unified School District and many others - to plan for the upcoming fall flu season,” says Hartmann. He is asking all individuals to take the same basic steps they would to avoid any other flu virus. This includes washing your hands often with soapy, hot water for 20-30 seconds, staying home if you are sick, covering your sneezes and coughs, and planning for all family members to receive a seasonal flu vaccine this fall. Please contact Amador County Public Health at 223-6407 if you have further questions. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Health Officer Robert Hartmann informed the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the only confirmed case of H1N1 influenza, or “swine flu,” in Amador County has been contained and the patient is doing well. According to Hartmann, the infected individual recently returned from Mexico and “exhibited flu like symptoms the following day.” This individual contacted Amador County Public Health the day after returning and followed specific Health Department advice, whereas “voluntary home isolation was followed ensuring minimal local contact.” Hartmann said the patient exhibited mild symptoms that are no more severe than the traditional flu. When questioned as to how sever he expected the outbreak of the this virus to become, Hartmann said “what we are seeing is a blunting of the peaks” in reference to the strong international response from health officials. He said he did not expect the outbreak of this flu to be any more problematic than traditional flues. Public Health continues to work closely with other local health services and local government. Board Chairman Ted Novelli thanked Hartmann and Amador County Public Health Director Angel LeSage, saying: “The people of Amador County can sleep safe knowing that you two are at the head of this.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Smiling children were walking the halls at Jackson Creek Dental Group after receiving free dental care from local dentists as part of Smiles for Kids 2009. Children who qualified for the program and would not otherwise be able to receive dental care were given exams, x-rays, teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatments, and emergency restorations. The five local dentists, their staff and community members offered this service on a volunteer basis, treating 69 children for services totaling over $24,000. Dentists participating on Smiles for Kids day were: Dr. Anderson, Dr. Ask, Dr. Kinzer, Dr. Roda and Dr. Simpson. Twenty-eight of these children were referred to local dentists for further treatment as part of the program, and ten were sent to specialists in Sacramento as part of the Sacramento District Dental Society’s Adopt-a-Child, Orthodontic, and Specialty Referral Care Programs. “Educating these children and their families about good oral hygiene and preventing dental disease was one of our priorities during our treatment time. We know that developing gum and periodontal disease can effect the entire body, so early prevention and education is key to retaining a healthy smile and body,” stated Dr. Leon Roda, III. The Smiles for Kids program, a project of the Sacramento District Dental Society and Foundation, is run in support of the American Dental Association’s “Give Kids a Smile” campaign. Participants are member doctors, their staffs, vendors and community volunteers. For more information contact us at (209) 223-2712 or visit our website at www.JacksonCreekDental.com. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard a presentation by members of the Public Health Department on Amador County’s efforts to prepare for any future outbreaks from the H1N1, or “Swine flu” pandemic. In California, there have been six deaths. One case of the virus was discovered in an Amador County man who returned from Mexico in mid-April, but Amador County Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann assured that that case was mild and the man recovered to full health without any propagation of the illness. On June 11, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide Pandemic Influenza Alert Level to Phase Six, the highest such designation for a flu outbreak. The US now has 37,000 documented cases and 211 documented deaths from H1N1. Every single country in the southern hemisphere has reported the virus. Hartmann narrated a PowerPoint presentation outlining the impact and response to other major historical outbreaks. “We generally say that we have three worldwide pandemics per century,” he said. The largest in modern history was the 1918 Spanish Flu, or what Hartmann referred to as the “granddaddy of all pandemics.” That outbreak killed about 50 to 100 million people worldwide over the course of a year. He said the second wave of the Spanish Flu was five times as viral. He said county officials should prepare for a possible second stronger wave of the H1N1 virus. The current H1N1 fatality rate is 0.4%. Outbreaks are increasing in the northern hemisphere, and ninety cases have occurred amongst health care workers. Hartmann said the most worrisome figure is that the median age for infection is down to 17 and “hitting young populations much more heavily.” Amador County Public Health Director Angel LaSage said the county is utilizing a recent $150,000 state grant to prepare for the future by purchasing pharmaceutical type refrigerators and staying abreast of new science and information. Hartmann said the Health Department’s goal is to be “first, fast and accurate” in relaying health information to the public and gaining the public’s trust. LaSage said “vaccines are being developed and developed rapidly.” Ironically, one US company is testing the vaccine in pigs. Supervisor John Plasse said “it’s good to see that Amador County isn’t putting their head in the sand as was done in 1918.” County Counsel Martha Shaver noted amusingly that county code still contains provisions requiring the reporting of Spanish flu. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County –The Amador County Behavioral Health Department this week announced the launch of a community planning phase in its pursuit of Mental Health Services Act funding. Director George E. Sonsel said Amador County Behavioral Health is “about to embark on an inclusive process to plan for several million dollars worth of MHSA funding.” Areas in Amador that will get funding include “prevention and early intervention programs; workforce development activities; new information technology systems; behavioral health facilities; supportive housing; and unique and innovative behavioral health practices. Sonsel hired a professional community planning consultant, Resource Development Associates, to help “identify our county’s unique mental health needs and develop strategies that address these needs.” During the meeting, he said, “we will map our vision for future MHSA programs.” The meeting will “look at where we are today, and where we hope to go in the short-term and long-term.” RDA in an early June meeting said Amador County has $5.7 million dollars in funding due to it from the MHSA. RDA’s Jennifer Susskind said if something about the funding amount “changes in Sacramento, we will come back and tell you about it.” Funding includes $772,000 dollars for prevention and early intervention; $450,000 for workforce education training; $778,000 for capital facilities and technology; $501,000 for housing; and $230,000 for innovation. Susskind said a minimum 51 percent of the prevention and early intervention funds must be dedicated to children and youth, ages zero to 20. Part of that funding must also be spent by early next year. And workforce education training funds must be used in 10 years. Susskind said each county will decide whether to use the capital funds for buildings or technology. She said the $500,000 for housing “sounds very minimal,” but it can be used for development, acquisition, construction or rehabilitation. She said buying a house could help 6 people or so. Susskind said the planning council meeting will help identify goals and objectives in Amador. Sonsel said to “Expect a highly interactive meeting.” He said mental health specialists’ participation and voices are critical to the planning process. They “especially seek the input of behavioral health clients, their family members and caregivers.” The “community-wide kickoff meeting” is 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30th at the Health & Human Services Building, 10877 Conductor Blvd, in Sutter Creek. RSVP (if possible, though not necessary) to Lynn Thomas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (209) 223-6814. The meeting is open to the public. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Behavioral Health Services Department heard Monday it is eligible for $5.7 million dollars in state funding. Consultants told a workshop of 20 people, mostly mental health professionals, that Amador County had $7.5 million dollars available from the 2004 Mental Health Services Act. Kayce Rane of Resource Development Associates, of Lafayette, said Amador had only spent or allocated $1.8 million dollars of that, “so you’ve got some money left to think about.” Rane and Jennifer Susskind said they were helping Amador BHS plan for the funding in 5 areas of mental health services. Those areas included Community Services & Supports; Prevention & Early Intervention; Workforce Education & Training; Capital Facilities & Technology; Housing; and Innovation. The consultants took roundtable comments from attendees, to hear various organization concerns. Rane said she was impressed with the respect attendees seemed to have for each other’s opinions. And she liked their areas of interests and concern, including young children, family involvement, transitional age youth, awareness, resiliency and wellness, housing, and justice. She noted that there was no school district or education represented in the group. Rane said Proposition 63 the Mental Health Services Act of 2004 imposed a statewide 1 percent tax on incomes of more than $1 million dollars. Funds are distributed to counties based on population, and are meant to “expand and transform mental health services in California.” They told the funding amounts available to Amador County. She said for Prevention and Early Intervention, Amador’s portion is $727,600 dollars. But she said 45 percent – or $327,000 dollars – of those funds must be used by July 2010, prompting a fast-tracking in that area. She noted that a minimum of 51 percent of the funds “must be dedicated to” children and youths age zero to 20. Susskind said Workforce Education & Training funding in Amador amounted to $450,000 dollars, which must be used in 10 years. Amador is eligible for $778,500 dollars in funds for Capital Facilities & Technology; and another $501,000 dollars for Housing. The county also is eligible for $230,000 dollars for the “innovation component.” The planning process will included a community kickoff and visioning meeting, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, written surveys, workgroup meetings and strategy roundtables, community prioritization meetings, and document review and comment. Consultants will host a series of meetings for community outreach and involvement, starting with a “planning council” meeting 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30th at the Behavior Health Services building on Conductor Boulevard. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State – Recent concerns about swine flu in California prompted state representatives to assess the strength of its health departments when dealing with future influenza outbreaks. Members of the California Association of Public Health Laboratory Directors, or PHL Directors, testified before a California Senate Select Committee on Disaster and Emergency Response and the Senate Committee on Health on April 30th. Based on survey responses from counties that represent a total of 78 percent of the state's population, 722 local public health personnel who were available to deal with this outbreak will not be available after July 1. 60 PHL positions have either been eliminated or are scheduled to be eliminated from local government budgets. According to Dennis Ferrero, the organizations Executive Director, this is “solely due to lack of resources, versus a lack of need.” These health departments will lose $70 million in funding. If those numbers are extrapolated for the whole state, the state would expect to lose a total of 920 positions and $90 million. The hearing, headed by Senators Dean Flores and Elaine Alquist and Assemblymember Dave Jones, was designed to assess the financial needs of Public Health Laboratory Directors and the state of public health response as a whole. Ferrero says capacity needs to sustain current PHL efforts and respond to the escalating influenza outbreak require an estimated $14.6 million for equipment, supplies, personnel reinstatement and increased capacity. “We respectfully request any additional funding allocated for the purposes of local PHL capacity be clearly identified as for local PHL use only,” he said. The figures presented were independent of the needs for other local public health capacity. The committee will consider these figures when making budget recommendations. CAPHLD represents 38 local public health laboratory directors who provide services to the citizens of California, including Amador County. Independent of the California Department of Public Health, the group provides 95 percent of the state’s PHL capacity to respond to communicable diseases of public health significance. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Region – While Amador County has experienced only one reported case of H1N1 virus, or swine flu, other counties in the region are continuing to report cases. According to San Joaquin County’s public health service agency, test results came back Thursday as positive for swine flu in a 5-year-old Stockton girl, adding to the four confirmed and five probables already existing in the county. Calaveras and El Dorado counties each have one confirmed case, according to state public health reports. As of Wednesday, 256 confirmed and 219 probables have been reported in California. So far, no deaths in California have been attributed the deadly respiratory disease that has caused a 10 percent death rate in its country of origin, Mexico. Nearly one hundred deaths have been confirmed there. At Wednesday’s School Board meeting, Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann recapped Amador County health officials’ efforts in recent weeks to monitor and prevent the further spread of the virus in our area. He reported that Amador’s only case – an Ione man who recently returned from Mexico – was mild and the patient is doing well. The biggest concern for health officials is in the future. He said agencies will be monitoring the flu as it moves south and returns north next winter. He said the virus could mutate and return more deadly. As of Thursday, there have been 4,298 confirmed cases reported nationwide in 47 states, including three deaths. Worldwide, there have been 6,497 confirmed cases reported in 33 countries. The state Department of Public Health said public health authorities in California have spent about $10 million so far monitoring the H1N1 flu as of May 13. Chief Deputy Public Health Director Bonnie Sorensen said county health departments have spent about $8 million and the state about $2 million. Most went for overtime, flu testing equipment and materials. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - A fox that bit a child in neighboring El Dorado County tested positive for the rabies virus, according to El Dorado health officials. The child was bitten in Cameron Park, which straddles the northern border of Amador County. The child is currently in the care of doctors and receiving a vaccine to prevent rabies. A Cameron park resident contacted Animal Control Services Tuesday after discovering a dead fox. The child’s caregiver subsequently confirmed that it was the same animal that had bit the child while playing in the same location on March 12. This marks the first positive test for rabies in the local region this year. In 2008, a total of 178 animals found in California tested positive for rabies, including six in Amador County, six in Placer County, eight in Sacramento County and one in El Dorado County, according to the news release. They included 31 skunks, 137 bats, nine foxes and one cat. In May of 2008, two rabid skunks in Jackson exposed a number of dogs and livestock to the disease. “With only 2 rabid skunks reported in the past 10 years, we have concerns there are many more rabid skunks that we don’t know about and there will be more potential opportunities for people and their animals to be exposed,” says Dr. Robert Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. He said prevention is the best weapon for protection against exposure to rabies. Protection would include: keeping your dog and/or cat’s rabies vaccinations up to date, avoiding exposure to wild animals for both yourself and your animals, and not feeding wild animals and keeping your dog and cat feeding bowls away from wild life access. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.