Narrative of Resolution:
title
Adopt Public Health Order No. 1 of 2025
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To Adopt Public Health Order No. 1 - 2025
INTRODUCED BY CATHERINE SCOTT, CHAIR OF THE HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE FOR THE SULLIVAN COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO ACT AS LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH TO ADOPT PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NO.1 - 2025
TO SUMMER CAMP OPERATORS, SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW YORK, 2025
WHEREAS, The Metropolitan region of New York State, including Sullivan County, has seen a historic detection and resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases and disease outbreaks; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County experienced multiple varicella outbreaks in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County Department of Public Health investigated the largest Pertussis outbreak in recent county history during the summer and early fall 2023; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County had a positive detection of the polio virus via PCR testing as well as strain identifying sequencing with 13 samples identified in Sullivan County in 2022, 2 were collected in July, 5 were collected in August, 5 were collected in September and 1 was collected in October; and
WHEREAS, New York State experienced the largest outbreak of measles since 1989 during the summer of 2019, and at least 19 confirmed cases were located in Sullivan County, 426 cases were within New York State and 1,282 cases were confirmed in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, Measles cases and clusters are becoming prevalent in neighboring states as well as states with high traffic travel to New York; and
WHEREAS, outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases frequently occur in areas where people are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County has historically low vaccination rates with only 64.4% of children having one MMR vaccine by the age of 2 years old; and
WHEREAS, Measles is a highly infectious disease that may cause seizures, pneumonia, blindness, and death; and
WHEREAS, Polio is a life altering, deadly infectious disease which is extremely contagious and can lead to long term disability; and
WHEREAS, Pertussis is highly contagious, and can lead to pneumonia, seizures, sepsis and respiratory failure in small children; and
WHEREAS, Varicella is a highly contagious disease that can lead to encephalitis, seizures and severe secondary bacterial infections; and
WHEREAS, Measles, Pertussis, Varicella and Polio are all vaccine preventable diseases; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been actively investigating the current resurgence in previously well-known controlled diseases in the United States as well as globally. Vaccine preventable diseases kill an estimated 1.5 million people world-wide each year; and
WHEREAS, there are over 170 permitted summer camps for children which operate in Sullivan County which increases the risk of infectious disease outbreaks significantly; and
WHEREAS, summer camps are congregate settings where communicable disease such as Measles, Pertussis and Polio and other vaccine preventable diseases can rapidly spread; and
WHEREA, in accordance with the New York State Public Health Law, the County Board of Health is authorized to adopt Public Health Order No. 1-2025, which Order shall regulate attendance at summer camps for campers based on evidence of all vaccines listed by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Vaccine Schedule or a valid medical exemption pursuant to the State Sanitary Code; and
WHEREAS, required vaccinations include Diphtheria and tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and the Pertussis vaccine (DTaP or Tdap), Hepatitis B vaccine, Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR), Polio vaccine, Meningitis vaccine and Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine; and
WHEREAS, an exclusion list of under and unvaccinated campers must be kept on record for inspection by Public Health Staff in the event of an exposure to an infectious individual; and
WHEREAS, upon advice form the County Public Health Director, said Order is necessary and proper for the preservation of life and health, to reduce morbidity and mortality from preventable communicable disease, and to properly execute and enforce the New York State Health Law, including 2100, as well as other associated Rules and Regulations, including but not limited to those related to communicable diseases and outbreaks of diseases as defined in 10 NYCRR 2.2.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Legislature, acting in its capacity as the Sullivan County Board of Health, hereby adopts Public Health Order No.1 - 2025 to secure the safety, health and welfare of Sullivan County residents and visitors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Public Health Order No.1 - 2025 shall be effective immediately upon adoption by the Legislature and shall remain in effect until rescinded; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Health designates, at its discretion, four hearing officers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Nadia Rajsz, a member of the Board of Health, is hereby authorized to sign and issue subpoenas in accordance with Public Health Law Section 309.
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