Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Geary County health director flags screwworm risk, reports drop in respiratory illness and seeks community education on suicide prevention
Summary
Health Director Charles Martinez reported lower trends in respiratory illnesses and suicidal ideation, warned livestock owners about screwworm risk in neighboring states, described outreach events and staff training, and said the department applied for a $94,000 grant targeting hypertension.
Charles Martinez, director of the Geary County Health Department, briefed commissioners on public-health activity and trends during the Board of Health portion of the June 22 meeting.
Martinez said disease surveillance is trending downward for acute respiratory illnesses (including RSV, COVID and influenza) and that suicidal ideation encounters were down by more than half from the previous month. He cautioned that chlamydia counts were higher than the department hoped but still below a cluster threshold.
Martinez also warned about screwworm, an animal parasite that recent reports have found in Texas and New Mexico; he said it is not yet in Kansas but urged livestock owners to have veterinarians check new wounds promptly because screwworm can harm cattle and occasionally affect people.
The department reported routine outreach — bicycle rodeo, Safe Kids Day plans with Main Street, a Back to School Carnival — and facility notes (sidewalk repairs completed by public works). Martinez said a VaxCare inventory billing discrepancy (a temporary negative balance) had been billed and should be resolved.
He said the health department applied for a $94,000 grant focused on reducing hypertension and flagged plans to develop age-appropriate suicide-awareness and prevention training for schools and parents in coordination with local partners. Martinez asked commissioners for help connecting with other agencies as the department schedules programs.
The board accepted the health update and returned to regular business.
