The Laker/Lutz News

Deanna Krautner

Planting seeds for food policies

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TreeCommunity gardens, backyard chickens, food deserts and agricultural tourism are on a short list of future policy ideas a citizen’s advisory council will tackle in Pasco County.

The Pasco County Food Policy Advisory Council met on Sept. 30, in its second meeting since the Pasco County Commission appointed nine panel members in June.

Pasco County is the only county with an active food policy council in the Tampa Bay region, according to county officials.

Statewide, similar councils exist only in Duval, Miami-Dade and Orange counties.

The group’s first goal is to complete a food assessment to identify resources, needs and challenges within Pasco’s food production and delivery system. Members also are working on a draft of an urban agricultural ordinance to recommend to Pasco County commissioners.

Regulations for community gardens, backyard chickens and beekeeping could be part of the proposed ordinance.

“It gives an opportunity for citizens to have a voice, and a powerful voice,” said Dell DeChant, who encouraged county officials to create the advisory council. “They (food policy councils) are at the cutting edge right now of agriculture in the nation.”

Others who helped establish the council were Kathryn Starkey, a member of the Pasco County Commission; Todd Engala, a planner for Pasco County; Deanna Krautner of Pasco County Department of Health; Travis Morehead, a farmer and business owner; and Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension.

In the past, agriculture meant big corporate farms, but there has been a shift in recent years to agricultural activities that are small, local and often urban, said DeChant, a professor at the University of South Florida.

As the council moves forward, the long-range goal is to develop policies to improve access to “culturally appropriate, nutritionally sound and affordable food produced in Pasco County,” according to a mission statement.

The council will have a public workshop on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. until noon, at the West Pasco County Government Center in New Port Richey. Council members will review five urban agricultural ordinances including ones adopted by New Port Richey, Dade City and Boston, with a goal of recommending a draft ordinance for adoption by Pasco County commissioners in 2016.

General meetings will be held quarterly.

Members have a range of issues to review.

Some municipalities, including Tampa, allow residents to raise backyard chickens, with restrictions on how many can be kept.

The idea of having chickens in residential neighborhoods may not appeal to everyone, but it is an idea that Morehead hears frequently.

“There’s more people looking for backyard chickens than anything in this area,” he said. “I think it’s important to at least present it, even if it gets shot down.”

The issue of backyard chickens could be crafted as a stand-alone ordinance.

The issue of food deserts also will be addressed.

Food deserts are areas where residents lack access to grocery stores, farmers’ markets or places where fresh, healthy food choices are available.

Lester Cypher, chief executive officer of The Volunteer Way, provided the council members with a map locating 10 food deserts in Pasco. He founded his nonprofit food bank more than 20 years ago.

“We’re looking for areas to expand (food delivery),” Cypher said. He has had discussions with Publix representatives about purchasing boxes of food that the grocery store chain could deliver for distribution.

Another possibility would be mobile food pantry trucks if county regulations allowed that, he said.

Farmer’s markets also are likely to get attention.

Trina Messano, marketing director for M.O.M’s Friday Night Market in New Port Richey, told council members about the obstacles people face when trying to get permits to have farmer’s markets.

The county doesn’t have a category for them, and they can end up classified as flea markets.

“We need more clear guidelines,” Messano said. “There are no real guidelines for what they need to do.”

Published October 7, 2015

Flu cases are up: Take precautions to stay well

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Chances are that you know someone who has become ill with the flu this year.

It could be a family member, a colleague, a friend or someone at church —whoever it is, Dr. James Robelli, of St. Joseph’s Hospital North in Lutz, offers this bit of advice: “If you know someone that has the flu, stay away from them.”

Dr. James Robelli (Courtesy of St. Joseph's Hospital-North)
Dr. James Robelli
(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

More people are coming down with the flu, as compared to prior years, said Dr. Nadeem Kahn, chief of medicine and director of infectious control at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has reported a significant increase in the number of flu cases coming into the hospital, according to statistics provided by Tracy Clouser, director of marketing.

In December, it saw a 274 percent increase in flu cases in its emergency department and a 125 percent increase in the number of patients admitted with the flu.

Robelli, who is medical director of the emergency department at St. Joseph’s North in Lutz, also reported an increased number of flu cases.

It is a nasty bug.

“It’s not like having a common cold. It really feels like a truck has run over you. Back pain. Muscle aches. You can’t do much of anything,” said Kahn, of Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay.

Robelli concurred with Kahn’s assessment, describing the flu as a “cold on steroids.”

Dr. Nadeem Khan (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel)
Dr. Nadeem Khan
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year’s vaccine has been less effective in preventing the flu. Despite that fact, both the CDC and the local doctors recommend the vaccination.

Even if it doesn’t prevent the flu, it is likely that the course of the illness will be shorter and the symptoms less severe, both Robelli and Kahn said.

Or, as Robelli said, “It’s better than nothing.”

People with the flu begin being contagious about a day before the onset of symptoms and are typically contagious for about a week, Robelli said.

Because it is possible for you to unwittingly make others ill and because other people who are contagious may infect you, it’s important to practice good hygiene, the local doctors agreed.

“I recommend hand sanitizer for everybody — in their purse or their car,” Kahn said.

It’s a good idea to use the sanitizer after grocery shopping, stopping at the post office or going to other public places, he said.

“You don’t know who’s been touching what,” Kahn said.

It’s also important to use good hygiene — such as coughing into a tissue or your sleeve and washing your hands frequently.

Be safe in the workplace, too.

Don’t go to work if you’re ill, and use good hygiene.

Many offices have computers that are used by many employees.

Be sure to clean work surfaces and wash your hands frequently.

“You’ve got to remember, those hands are everywhere,” Kahn said.

Kahn theorizes the increased number of cases showing up at the hospital may be connected with increasing numbers of people visiting the area during winter months.

“A lot of the patients that you meet — most of them are just visiting family or they’re snowbirds who live up North,” Kahn said.

“It seems like a lot of the people we see at the hospital are because we have an influx in the population. Obviously, the more people you have, the more chances you have for influenza or other illnesses,” he said.

People who are younger than 2 or older than 65 are among those most vulnerable, Robelli said.

Others at high risk for serious complications include people with lung disease, with end-stage renal disease, people who are on chemotherapy, women who are pregnant and people with other chronic illnesses.

Those in high-risk categories should call their doctor as soon as they experience symptoms.

It’s a good idea to get in touch with your doctor even if you’re not in a high-risk group because delaying treatment means that medications will not be effective, Robelli said.

The CDC recommends flu antiviral drugs for treatment of influenza illness in people who are very sick with the flu or people who are at high risk of flu complications.

Adult deaths for the flu are not reported to the Florida Department of Health, Deanna Krautner, of the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, said in an email. Those deaths are grouped with pneumonia, she said.

Pediatric deaths for the flu are reported, and Pasco County has had one child death related to the flu, this flu season.

Pasco County continues to see an increase in influenza activity, Krautner reported. “Our surveillance indicates hospitals and urgent care centers are experiencing elevated levels of influenza.”

As of early January, there had been 21 pediatric deaths from the flu reported nationwide, according to the CDC.

Published January 14, 2015

Take steps to protect yourself against West Nile virus

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A human case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in Pasco County, and officials are advising residents to take precautions to avoid becoming ill.

It is important for people to “cover and drain” — meaning they should wear clothing or use repellent to avoid mosquito bites and should drain standing water on their property, said Deanna Krautner, public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

A human case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in Pasco County, prompting officials to issue an advisory outlining precautions that residents can take to reduce their chances of being bitten by a mosquito that could make them ill. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Health in Pasco County)
A human case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in Pasco County, prompting officials to issue an advisory outlining precautions that residents can take to reduce their chances of being bitten by a mosquito that could make them ill.
(Courtesy of Florida Department of Health in Pasco County)

West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, but about one-in-five people infected will develop a fever with other symptoms, the CDC said. Less than 1 percent of those infected will develop a serious and sometimes fatal neurological illness.

The cool weather is drawing more people outdoors, Krautner said, and recent rains have left puddles of standing water on many properties. That can spell greater opportunity for mosquito bites and the illnesses that can accompany them.

To help avoid potential illness, the health department recommends a number of precautions.

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes, residents should:

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.

• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.

• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

• Maintain swimming pools in good condition, and appropriately chlorinate them. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

• Cover skin with clothing or repellent. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing, and use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.

When it comes to using repellents, members of the Pasco County division of the health department suggests people read label directions carefully, since some repellents are not suitable for children.

Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. Other approved repellents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency including Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.

Repellent should be applied to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.

Published October 1, 2014

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County warns residents to stay away from mosquitoes

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It’s called “drain and cover,” and it’s the Florida Department of Health’s way to emphasize the importance of protecting against mosquito-borne illness.

“Drain and cover” basically is emptying, removing or covering any containers that will allow mosquitoes to develop, said Dennis Moore with the Pasco County Mosquito Control District. By draining standing water, it will stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Residents also should:

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other other items that aren’t being used.

• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.

• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

• Maintain swimming pools in good condition, and appropriately chlorinate them. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

• Cover skin with clothing or repellent. Wear shoes, socks and long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing, and use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.

When it comes to using repellents, members of the Pasco County division of the health department suggests people read label directions carefully, since some repellents are not suitable for children.

Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. Other approved repellents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency including Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.

Repellent should be applied to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.

Residents also should cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of houses.

Those who would like more information on avoiding mosquitoes can call (727) 861-5250, ext. 162, or email .

Mosquito-borne chikungunya cases on the rise

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As more cases of people infected by the chikungunya virus are reported in Florida, public health officials are spreading the word about the need to take precautions.

Chikungunya is spread by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both of which are found in Florida.

This mosquito, an Aedes aegypti, is one of two species that transmits the chikungunya virus. Health officials are urging the public to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to protect themselves from any of the illnesses that mosquitoes can transmit. (Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
This mosquito, an Aedes aegypti, is one of two species that transmits the chikungunya virus. Health officials are urging the public to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to protect themselves from any of the illnesses that mosquitoes can transmit.
(Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

“It’s a virus that’s been around in Asia and Africa for many, many years,” said Amanda Pullman, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. Only recently, it started spreading throughout Central and South Americas and the Caribbean Islands, “and now very specifically, it’s getting closer in the Americas.”

“Because of the geographic closeness, the proximity to Florida, we’ve become very concerned that this is something we could have here locally,” she said. “So we want to prevent that.”

Cases continue to rise in Florida, but as of last week, the people who have been infected with the virus are those who have traveled to other places, Pullman said.

The virus is not transmitted from person to person directly, but is spread by infected mosquitoes. Some people who contract the virus have no symptoms at all, while others can have debilitating pain that can last for months or even years, Pullman said.

Other symptoms can include a high fever, headaches, visible swelling and joint pain.

Some people are simply tired for a few days, Pullman said. Others have intestinal symptoms.

There’s no vaccine or treatment, but people experiencing symptoms can seek medical care and receive medication for pain and fever, Pullman said. People should go the hospital or see their doctor if they suspect they have chikungunya, to give the health department a better chance of combating its spread.

When a positive test comes back in Hillsborough County, for instance, the mosquito control department heads out to eradicate mosquitoes near the infected person’s residence. By killing mosquitoes in the vicinity, it decreases the possibility of local transmission of the virus, Pullman said.

Preventing local transmission of chikungunya is especially important in Florida, which is a heavy tourism state. “Given our lifestyle here in Florida, lots of us like to be outside,” Pullman said. “There’s all kinds of things at the beach and with the holidays especially coming up, people spend a lot of time outdoors.”

To reduce the risk of contracting chikungunya or other viruses spread by mosquitoes, when people are outdoors, they should be sure to wear mosquito repellent on exposed skin, both day and night, advised Deanna Krautner, public information officer for the Pasco County Health Department. It’s also a good idea to wear lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce potential exposure for mosquito bites.

Residents also can help reduce breeding sites for mosquitoes.

“If you see standing water of any sort, try to dump and cover,” Pullman said. Even the smallest amount of standing water can be a problem. “A bottle cap in someone’s backyard can breed a hundred larvae.”

“Residents can go around their house and inspect where water is pooling. Try to empty those or cap those or flip them over, so the water doesn’t pool,” Krautner said.

If mosquitoes are biting, Krautner said, it’s a good idea to go indoors. Those leaving windows open to enjoy an evening breeze need to be sure their screens are in good repair.

The bottom line, Krautner said, is to be aware that mosquitoes can carry viruses that make people ill, and people should do what they can to avoid being bit.

Published July 2, 2014

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Government shutdown could soon victimize poor children, infants

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Lacy White followed the latest news from Washington, D.C. closely over the past few weeks as Congress and the President haggled over spending measures that led to a federal government shutdown.

Not only was her husband a civilian contractor at MacDill Air Force Base who would lose his paycheck if a shutdown were to occur, but both were eight weeks into caring for an infant they’ve fostered since she was born, and were depending on the government to help pay for the baby’s needs.

“This is a double whammy for us, and it’s frustrating,” the former Land O’ Lakes resident said. “We need the checks to help with the baby’s formula, and without those, we’d have to pay out of our own pockets. But if my husband is working without pay, too, then we really have to dig to get the money.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture website, which is the home for information on the federal government’s WIC program to help support women, infants and children, shows only an error page to anyone trying to visit. The federal government shutdown has created a potentially serious problem for poor families, who depend on government assistance to feed their children.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture website, which is the home for information on the federal government’s WIC program to help support women, infants and children, shows only an error page to anyone trying to visit. The federal government shutdown has created a potentially serious problem for poor families, who depend on government assistance to feed their children.

White receives support through WIC, the federal assistance program more formally known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Individual states like Florida administer the program using federal dollars — money that is now missing because of the federal government’s inability to keep the financial coffers open.

Communication between the government and WIC recipients has been nonexistent. Even visiting the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the federal program, brings up a page telling visitors that “due to the lapse in federal government funding, this website is not available.”

So, White and others like her have to turn to the news.

“As far as I have read, WIC is shut down, and we will no longer be getting her formula checks,” White said of her foster baby. “No one has contacted us. No one has let us know. We have to go by word of mouth.”

But checks are continuing to be cut, even as federal dollars stop, said Deanna Krautner, a spokeswoman for Pasco County. She referred more detailed questions to the state level, who in a statement said Florida Department of Health “continues to monitor the situation in Washington, D.C., and the department will be able to continue WIC services for the foreseeable future.”

When pressed further about where those dollars are coming from, Department of Health spokeswoman Denishia Sword said the state has put together temporary operating dollars, including reallocated federal funding, USDA contingency funds and infant formula rebates.

Yet, those contingency funds won’t last long. Bruce Alexander, communications director with the USDA, told Forbes magazine that if the shutdown is not resolved before October ends, there may not be sufficient money to keep the program going.

The USDA typically receives $7 billion to run programs like WIC nationally, but the program’s contingency fund is just $125 million — enough to run the program for six days.

White’s family, luckily, has put money away for a rainy day, and only collects WIC because she has a foster baby. Yet, families that solely depend on WIC won’t have those options, and she fears children not just in the Tampa Bay area, but across the country, will suffer.

“We would typically spend $100 a month on formula, and that’s just to feed her,” White said. “There are a lot of expenses involving children, and families who live in poverty would not be able to do this on their own.”

If her family ran into problems, White said her church will be available to help. But there may be only so much charity groups can do — especially if so many families end up in need, said Thomas Mantz, chief executive of Feeding America Tampa Bay. While the organization does not necessarily provide the same services as WIC, if families have to suddenly pay for items like formula, they may have to make cuts in other areas — like food.

“Any time there are challenges in the economic environment, one of the choices people will often make is the choice of food,” Mantz said. “They have to pay a medical bill, or they have to get their car running to get to work, or they have to pay for their lights or rent. Any time those choices have to be made, these folks have to go without food, and seek food assistance elsewhere.”

Feeding America will move 40 million pounds of food in its 10-county service area this year, but that is still not enough, covering less than 50 percent of the need. And if the government shutdown continues, that will be even more assistance the group will have to be ready to supply.

Congress and the President getting back on the same page couldn’t come too soon, White said. The government needs to get back to work, and start paying for these much-needed social programs.

“My husband has to get up every day to go to work without a paycheck, yet these guys are up there still paying themselves while we are all just waiting,” White said. “Something needs to be done.”