Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

The Virginia House of Delegates recently conducted a special signing ceremony for the Virginia Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Members of the House of Delegates signed Statements of Support for the ESGR, pledging to recognize, honor, and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

"The Employer Statement of Support represents my commitment to the men and women of Virginia's National Guard and Reserve. I am grateful for their service and will do everything I can to support and assist them," said Delegate Peace.   

The Statement of Support is a public declaration by an employer to recognize and protect the rights of National Guard and Reserve members when they must take leave from civilian employment in order to fulfill their service in the military. More information on the statement of support can be found here. 

The ESGR was formed in 1972 as an office of the Department of Defense. Their mission is to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. More information on the ESGR can be found here.   

Peace Supported HR 566; Measure Passed 

To date, no cases of EVD have been identified in Virginia. Local and state health departments will continue to respond to inquiries from providers related to patients with suspect EVD in their differential diagnosis. Of the inquiries received to date, only 2 patients of interest have met CDC testing criteria. All tests to date have been negative.

Although the risk of spread of Ebola virus in the US is low, it is possible that additional cases might be identified in persons who had close contact with this first case-patient diagnosed in the US or in other travelers. In response, CDC issued a Health Advisory Alert on October 2, 2014 to highlight recommendations for health care personnel and health officials when evaluating patients for EVD.

* Stay informed and be prepared: Be alert to the possibility of encountering a patient with EVD by ensuring that you are familiar with EVD (e.g., signs and symptoms, transmissibility, infection control) and current CDC guidance and VDH guidance. 

* Detect EVD early: Collect a travel history on all patients presenting with fever. Maintain a high index of suspicion for patients with symptoms consistent with EVD (e.g., fever of ≥101.5°F, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or hemorrhage) and who report travel to an Ebola-affected area as defined by CDC in the 21 days before illness onset.

* Protect health care workers and other patients: For any patient with symptoms and travel history consistent with EVD, immediately isolate the patient in a private room with a private bathroom and use standard, contact and droplet precautions. Any U.S. hospital that is following CDC's infection control recommendations and can isolate a patient in a private room is capable of safely managing a patient with EVD. If the health care setting does not have adequate facilities to isolate a suspected patient according to CDC guidance, ensure there is a plan in place to appropriately refer patients to another setting. The local health department should be notified prior to the referral of any patient with suspected EVD to an emergency department, hospital or other facility. Transport staff and the receiving facility should be made aware that the patient is suspected of having EVD so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

* Respond appropriately and safely. Immediately contact the local health department (LHD) (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/LHD/). The LHD can consult with you on the suspect case to discuss risk assessment to help determine whether pursuing EVD diagnostic testing is appropriate. Please note that US clinical laboratories can safely do routine testing such as traditional chemistry, hematology or other laboratory testing used to support and treat patients by following and strictly adhering to CDC's recommendations and proper use of personal protective equipment.

If a patient with suspected EVD is identified, providers should be prepared to discuss clinical information, travel history, and risk exposure history (see #3 above) to help the Local Health Department determine testing for Ebola virus is indicated. The following risk exposures may have occurred while the patient was in the EVD-affected area and within 21 days before illness onset:

• Had contact with a person with known or suspected EVD?
• Worked or spent time in a health care facility where EVD patients were being treated?
• Worked in a laboratory where specimens from EVD patients were being analyzed or processed?
• Participated in funeral rites or have other exposure to human remains?

If a case of EVD is identified in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health will take the following steps:

• Ensure that responders and health care workers are following the recommended precautions
• Identify and monitor close contacts of the ill individual
• Coordinate public messaging with health care facilities and local and state agencies
• Provide key risk communication messages to the public

The Hanover Republican Women's Club Annual Fundraiser, Politics and Pearls, on Tuesday, October 21 at 6 PM at the Hanover Tavern. Special invited guests are Cathy Gillespie and Laura Brat. Men are invited also! Ladies, wear your best pearls (and let your spouse/significant other wear your next best) Contact Kristie.helmick@hrwomen.com for more information.  

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American Legion Casino Night 

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New Kent Historical Society

The New Kent Historical Society is hosting a fundraiser at Cumberland Plantation, a private home originally built in 1690 and situated on 102 acres overlooking the Pamunkey River, on October 11th and 12th.  This family friendly event will have educational and historical exhibits, colonial crafts, food, entertainment, and costumed interpreters.  Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the development of New Kent Historical Society's museum, which will celebrate and educate the grand history of our country and its prominent residents and events going back 360 years.  To purchase tickets, or to get more information, please visit www.newkenthistoricalsoc.com or email info@newkenthistoricalsoc.com.  Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to experience history come alive in our community.