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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6, F7, F8
Findings and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
The VCD and HCA have primarily responded to vector outbreaks in a reactive manner in the past. The VCD wants to be more proactive in the future.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
VCD must continue to prioritize its funding allocations for communicating with the public. To increase this effort, the Grand Jury recommends that the district ask their Board of Trustees to authorize maximizing the District 2 assessment for the benefit of VCD by June 30, 2017. These funds should be used first by the VCD for more proactive outreach efforts throughout the county.
F2
The VCD relies on the public to help identify new sources of infestation. This cooperation is essential for future success.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that efforts focusing on early education information of school children be expanded in content and reach
F3
The VCD uses multiple media, including print materials, their website, email and social media, as well as in-person activities, as part of their outreach efforts. The HCA focuses on print and opt-in email alerts and bulletins to medical professionals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Getting information to vulnerable populations (seniors, the chronically ill, pregnant women, etc.) is critical. The Grand Jury recommends that detailed plans for implementing new or expanded programs targeting vulnerable populations all over the county should be in place by VCD and HCA by June 30, 2017, for implementation no later than March 31, 2018.
F4
The presence of undocumented storm drains in Orange County cities makes control of mosquito vectors more difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the VCD provide the Orange County Board of Supervisors with a ranked list of cities that represent primary concern for storm drain mosquito infestation, as soon as possible to facilitate remediation efforts by the next mosquito season, but no later than June 30, 2017. R. 5. The Grand Jury recommends that, by June 30, 2017, the Orange County Board of Supervisors notify each city of concern in their Supervisorial Districts that their storm drains represent significant sources of mosquito breeding grounds. R. 6. The Grand Jury recommends that the Orange County Board of Supervisors advise cities of concern to schedule by September 30, 2017, and fund by December 31, 2017, thorough mapping of storm drains within city limits, as well as assessment of the condition and need for storm drain repairs. The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors financially support this effort.
F5
Communication about vector diseases directed to treatment facilities such as private and public clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and doctor offices has not translated into timely and effective public education about the prevention and avoidance of infectious diseases. F. 6. Mosquito control and education efforts in the county are concentrated on historical areas of infestation and illness in North County. F. 7. The VCD Board of Trustees’ spending authorization has not been sufficient to accomplish VCD’s current goals. F. 8. In delineating responsibilities of each agency, the existing MOUs between VCD and HCA do not adequately promote effective communications about mosquito-borne diseases and their remediation to the public, including medical professionals and their patients.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Despite significant scientific and experiential evidence that aerial spraying is effective and safe, the regional public and the VCD Board of Trustees are reluctant to support the use of aerial spraying when recommended by VCD. Penal Code §933 and §933.05 require governing bodies and elected officials to which a report is directed to respond to findings and recommendations. Responses are requested from departments of local agencies and their non-elected department heads. RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code Sections §933 and §933.05, the 2016-2017 Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on its investigation titled “Is Orange County Ready for Zika? It Takes a Village to Handle Mosquito-Borne Viruses,” the 2016-2017 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following 9 recommendations:
No recommendations for this finding
Additional Recommendations 1
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R7The VCD must work with HCA to expand efforts to proactively reach clinics, nursing homes and medical agencies with communications that will protect patients from mosquito- borne illnesses. The Grand Jury recommends that the MOU between the VCA and the HCA regarding such communications be updated by June 30, 2017. R. 8. The HCA should be more active in communicating with medical professionals using targeted and opt-out alerts and bulletins, as well as instituting measures of effectiveness in these targeted messages. Where possible, they should take advantage of mobile technology to immediately reach physicians and others in the health care trenches earlier in the cycle of mosquito infestation, even before illness is reported. An HCA Communications Plan that addresses these issues should be completed by June 30, 2017, and implemented by December 31, 2017. R. 9. The VCD needs new, valid and reliable qualitative and quantitative measures of outreach effectiveness to guide their communications program and make best use of their resources. This element should be added to the VCD Communications Plan by June 30, 2017, and implemented by March 30, 2018. REQUIRED RESPONSES The California Penal Code §933 requires the governing body of any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court). Additionally, in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such elected County official shall comment on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters under that elected official’s control to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code Section §933.05 (a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each Grand Jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding; (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) As to each Grand Jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the Grand Jury report; (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the Grand Jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the Grand Jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary /or personnel matters over which it has some decision making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with Penal Code section §933.05 are required or requested from: Responses Required: Responses are required from the following governing bodies of the date of publication of this report: Board of Trustees, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (Findings 1-9; Recommendations 1 - 4, 7, 9). Orange County Board of Supervisors (Recommendations 4-6, 8). Responses Requested: Responses are requested from the following agency of the date of publication of this report: Orange County Health Care Agency (Findings 1, 3, 5, 8; Recommendations 3, 7-8).
Conclusions 1
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CL1The key to successful intervention in mosquito-borne virus control is proactive communication with, and education of, the public. The VCD has the tools to identify “hot spots” of vector outbreak and are doing their part in maintaining and using an array of eradication measures. The effective, early and immediate sharing of mosquito population information with the public and medical professionals is crucial. The VCD has been more reactive to vector outbreaks in the past, but is now moving towards being proactive. They have the personnel and tools in place to maintain communication with the public at the current levels. However, increases in personnel or refocusing existing personnel into areas of communication and education will aid the district in being more proactive and expanding their reach. The district has an experienced and well- equipped lab to identify disease agents. Increasing the number of mosquito traps and lab personnel will enable the VCD to determine the presence of a virus more quickly. Mosquitoes are equal-opportunity vectors. While focus on historical areas of infection is a good use of resources, the La Habra surprise outbreak points out the weakness of this approach. With the expected growth, development and demographic shifts in South Orange County, historically a low risk area, it behooves VCD to be proactively vigilant across the county. In recent years the VCD has expanded its toolbox for identifying and controlling the vectors. To become more effective, the district and its partners at the HCA need to stay focused on proactive communications. In addition, the VCD must be proactive in monitoring and eradicating mosquitoes, but will need the help of their Board of Trustees, the County Board of Supervisors, the HCA, Orange County cities, and the public to succeed.
Agency Responses 2
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Orange
Agency
Orange County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
Special District