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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $69,629.77 recognizing unanticipated revenue for Fiscal Year 2017/18 for the Public Health Laboratory from the California Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Office (CDPH-EPO), Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program for Zika Preparedness and Response Activities to be utilized for testing supplies and related services (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $69,629.77 recognizing unanticipated revenue for Fiscal Year 2017/18 for the Public Health Laboratory from the California Department of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness Office (CDPH-EPO), Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program for Zika Preparedness and Response Activities to be utilized for testing supplies and related services (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
On March 27, 2017, Solano County’s Public Health Laboratory submitted a proposal to the California Department of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness Office (CDPH-EPO), Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program to receive funding for Zika Preparedness and Response Activities. On May 22, 2017, CDPH-EPO officially announced that the County’s Public Health Laboratory received the award in the amount of $69,629.77.
The PHEP Zika funds provide an important opportunity to purchase supplies and services to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended, US Food and Drug Administration approved Zika virus serology and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. H&SS’s Public Health Laboratory does not currently offer these test methods.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total funding to purchase the supplies and services is provided through a PHEP grant in the amount of $69,629.77 for FY2017/18. There are no County General funds associated with this request.
DISCUSSION:
On March 27, 2017, the H&SS Public Health Division, Public Health Laboratory submitted a proposal to the CDPH-EPO, PHEP Program to receive funding for Zika Preparedness and Response Activities for the implementation of Zika virus testing and related services. On May 22, 2017, CDPH-EPO officially announced that H&SS’s Public Health Laboratory received an award in the amount of $69,629.77.
This new grant complements the recently Board approved purchase of an Applied Biosystems 7500 FastDX from Life Technologies Corporation to perform molecular testing for Zika virus and other emerging diseases. Since last June, the demand for Zika virus laboratory testing has steadily increased to 130 specimens per month, with 20 confirmed, travel-associated cases of Zika virus disease identified in Solano County. Currently, the Public Health Laboratory spends a significant amount of staff time to screen, prepare and ship Zika specimens to CDPPH for testing and as a result, has a turn-around time of two to three weeks. This grant will allow the Public Health Laboratory to implement CDC-recommended, FDA-approved Zika serology and PCR tests in-house, and produce a much faster turn-around time. With the Public Health Laboratory’s multi-county service area and its increasing participation in CDC Laboratory Response Network testing, the Laboratory will benefit from having the full capacity for Zika testing available in-house, and it will be able to provide improved services to clients and participate in the national Arbovirus surveillance network.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve this ATR of PHEP funds for the Public Health Laboratory. This is not recommended because these funds provide an opportunity to implement Zika virus tests and services recommended by the CDC which will result in faster turn-around times and improved services to clients.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with the County Administrator’s Office and County Counsel on the contract with PHEP. H&SS also worked with the Division of Medical Services, Emergency Services Bureau to submit the PHEP proposal.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION