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Local Issues in Public Health and Public Safety at the Border. Presented by Eduardo Olivarez Chief Administrative Officer Hidalgo County Health & Human Services. The Primary Factors in Public Health Safety. Natural or Man made Disasters and Recovery
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Local Issues in Public Health and Public Safety at the Border Presented by Eduardo Olivarez Chief Administrative Officer Hidalgo County Health & Human Services
The Primary Factors in Public Health Safety • Natural or Man made Disasters and Recovery • Agricultural / Animal Safety and Importation Concerns • Hospital Surge Capacity & Lack of Specialty Care Physicians • Infectious / Communicable diseases i.e. TB, Zika, STDs, food borne-water borne illness • Illegal Retail of Food, Medical, & Cosmetics Products • Potential Ground Water Issues and Future Fresh Water Supply • Large and Exotic animals & Primates
“The Ring” represents 150 mile radius centered from McAllen in all directions. “The Ring “ equals 12 Million to 14 Million residents within its area. “The Ring of Growth in Texas” 17 International Ports of Entry & 4 Sea Ports • 4 Webb Co. • 1 Zapata Co. • 2 Starr Co. • 6 Hidalgo Co. • 4 Cameron Co. Hidalgo Co. is the 3rd most populated County along the U.S. Mexico Border except for San Diego and Tucson A true International Border in regards to ethnicity via immigration, and Binational geographically.
Hospital Surge Capacity and Lack of Medical Professionals • Coordinate all resources with hospitals and private sector medical professionals • Pre-plan and implement via our partners DSHS (RMOC), DADS, RLO/DDC, LHD, MMRS, TRAC, 1st Responders, Hospitals, and COG / MACC. • Developing Alternate Care Sheltering with BCFS via DSHS and other local partners • Pharmaceutical Cache for 1st Responders and Hospital personnel • The development of a Continuity of Operations Plan
Natural or ManmadeDisasters and Recovery • Emergency Management Director (County Judge) • Emergency Management Coordinator (Chief Ricardo Saldana) • Multi-Jurisdiction Planning and Implementation • Incident Command Structure protocols • Evacuation, Shelter, Point of Dispensing Implementation • Medical Shelters and Support • Recovery and Quality of Life Requirements • Sanitation Assessments • DPS Disaster District Committee & Regional Medical Operations Center
Illegal Sales of Food and Medical Products / Procedures • Expired and Questionable food items being sold at flea markets and illegal vendors. • Medical Products and Pharmaceuticals being sold without proper authorization. • Counterfeit Food Labels and re-selling. • Opioid concerns and Rx drug abuse • Illegal medical & dental practices • Synthetic Drug / Chemical Abuse
Agricultural / Animal Safety and Importation Concerns • Support FDA, USDA, and Customs in investigating and assessing agricultural / food issues. • Work along side with DSHS on surveillance issues related to food or produce . • Educate on the importance of our Agricultural Industry • Provide food server and food manager education along with sanitation • Illegal vendors of milk based products and unlicensed producers • Immunization / Vaccination for staff who prepare food products. • Exotic Animals and Large Dangerous Animals issues.
Potential Ground Water Issues and Future Fresh Water Supply • With exponential growth and the lack of public works infrastructure ground water quality will suffer. • Limited access to fresh water and growth in this region will create water supply problems for municipalities
Questions Eduardo Olivarez Chief Administrative Officer Hidalgo County Health & Human Services 956-383-8858