The Bulletin -- June 10, 2009 (#994)

Program: Pandemics, Prevention and Influenza, Dr. Wouter Rietsema

Flu—What it is and what it is NOT People use the term “flu” rather loosely. The flu is a respiratory infection and not generally associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. There are three types of flu (A, B & C) with A and B being the most severe because they mutate yearly. Each year the “powers that be” research the various strains of flu and try to predict which will dominate in the upcoming season so they can produce appropriate vaccinations.

ELLE BERGER DISCUSSES THE ISSUE OF THE H1N1 PANDEMIC WITH CVPH VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS, DR. WOUTER RIETSEMA.

Swine Flu People are asking, “why pigs?” Rietsema explains, “Pigs were not the origin of the swine flu, they were the mixer.” Pigs have a unique ability to host pig, bird and human viruses. The viruses are able to jumble together into a new (novel) strain that humans are unprepared to treat.

How It Spreads The general public is well aware of the ways viruses are spread human to human. We spit when we talk, cough, sneeze and the virus can live as long as there are live cells on which it can feed. Airborne transmission happens when you cough or sneeze into the air and someone else happens to walk through the area. While this is a common method for spreading diseases such as tuberculosis, there is no evidence that flu is transmitted this way.

What Makes a Pandemic? A pandemic requires a specific set of criterion be met: global spread, novel virus,
causes serious illness and can be spread easily person to person. “We are reaching a point of global concern with the H1N1 virus because it does appear to spread relatively easily person to person. The one factor that seems to be preventing the World Health Organization from calling this a pandemic is the severity of the illness. With new evidence, this may change,” Rietsema said.

What’s the Problem? H1N1 is a novel virus meaning that it’s not something anyone has seen before. Although they don’t occur often (last being in 1968 which killed a couple million people), they tend to kill relatively young healthy people because of their limited history of exposure.

Preparing for a Pandemic Clinton County Multiagency Coordination Group was formed as a response to H1N1. The group is comprised of the Health Department, CVPH Medical Center, Clinton County Emergency Services, Plattsburgh State University and the Clinton County Fire and Police Departments. In their planning, it is assumed there will be no vaccine available for 8 months, hospitals will be overrun, there will be shortages of equipment, staff, and space to care for those infected. Working with these guidelines and others, the group is focusing on shared responsibility, increased surveillance and coordination of services and appropriate/timely public information sharing. Preparation makes the pandemic more manageable, but it is clear that a severe pandemic would be an ugly situation to handle. Dr. Riesema is proud of the work being done in Clinton County to plan ahead as much as possible.

SPENCER HATHAWAY HOLDS THE WINNING LAKE TROUT (15LB 10OZ). HATHAWAY ALSO WON THE SALMON DIVISION AND TEAM COMPETITION.THE 2009 ROTARY FISHING CLASSIC HAD ITS BEST YEAR YET GROSSING OVER $31,000. THE FISH WERE BIGGER, BETTER AND HEALTHIER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THE EVENT HAPPEN AND SPECIAL THANKS TO BONNIE BLACK FOR LEADING THE CHARGE WITH THIS TERRIFIC FUNDRAISER.

This Week:

• Peter Cadieux announced the upcoming new member orientation on June 19th from 8-9am at 308 West Bay Plaza.
• Bonnie Black reported on the fishing tournament which was a phenomenal success. The club grossed over $31,000 and the net number will be made available in a few weeks. The fish were bigger and better than ever as noted in the Press Republican with the 15lb 10oz record breaking lake trout. The same guy won the salmon division and therefore won the team division. The fisherman were local from Willsboro. Bonnie wanted to give special thanks to the following people: Pick up Team: Peter Cadieux, Roger VanGuilder, Bob Grugel, and Kit Booth; Data Entry and Cash Collection: Tammy Bell, Marsha Cook, Howard Lowe Cathy Forget and Jody Carpenter; those doing double/triple duty: Ellie Murray, Sybil Kiroy, Bill Rowe, Marsha Cook, Jack Prim, Sara Rowden, Don and Jim, Al Sweenor and Ray Guydosh. There is a clean up party at Keith Tyo’s house at 9am for Saturday June 13th. Let Bonnie know if you’d like to help out and she will give you directions to Keith’s house. Everyone who participated will receive a make-up.
• PP Tony Searing was happy to say that he spoke with some fishermen the day of the tournament who are eager to participate next year because they heard this is the best tournament on the lake.
• Don and Jim Judkins said they had fishermen comment on how great it was to have two disabled veterans weighing their fish.
• Rod Giltz gave kudos to the Press-Republican for great coverage of the event.
• Phil Green added WIRY Radio to that list. Please send thanks to wiry@wiry.com.
• June 15th Board Meeting has been rescheduled for June 17th due to a conflict with the Nova Bus Grand Opening. Please let President Steve know if you are unable to attend.
  
  

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: Linda Brienza (Bob Parks); Shelly Medina (Ellen Bouchard).

Fines: Colin Read was fined $4 for his article, “What Does it Mean to Be Green. ”

Happy Dollars

• Sonia Long received an email from PPres Gerry Sherwin. They are doing well after a long and bumpy relocation.
• Roger VanGuilder had a great time doing his part with the “pick ups” for the Fishing Tournament and for a great time spent with Elle Berger. He also said the Boy Scout Breakfast was very successful.
• Jack Dee tipped his hat to Bonnie for all the work she does to make the Fishing Tournament what it is year after year.
• Bob Parks was pleased to announce the success of Museum Day. This year saw an increase in participation and he expects to see more growth in 2010.
• Elle Berger was grateful for safe travel to her 45th college reunion and to Cathy Forget for her terrific maps and directions.
• Marsha Cook had $5 for weighing the winning lake trout, winning walleye, 3rd place salmon and 5th place salmon. She was pleased to have done so with Brian Tuthill who was participating at a weigh station for the first time. Thanks to everyone who helped!

50/50 : There were 47 cards left and Bruce Delventhal drew the Jack of diamonds winning $10.

Make Ups: On Line: L. Salzman (5/6), S. Kiroy (5/18), A. Asadorian (4/24, 4/29, 5/13,5/20), D. Moore (5/13, 5/20); Sunrise Club: B. Frenyea (5/26), F. Osborne-Long (5/26), K. Kehoe (5/21).

NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL The following has been proposed by our Membership Committee and our Board of Directors. If there are no objections registered with the Club Secretary or President within 10 days, they will be asked to join our club:
Name: Joshua Kretser Business: POD Studio Position: Owner—Designer Classification Graphic Designer Membership: Active Previous Rotary Membership: N/A Proposed by: Ita Bullard	Name: Bob Kidwell Business: The Ground Round Grill and Bar Position: General Manager Classification: Restaurant Management Membership: Active Previous Rotary Membership: N/A Proposed by: Bob Smith

Upcoming Programs: Go to Membership Duties List