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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/03/06 - Board of HealthBOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 6, 2003 Chairperson Commissioner Jayni Kamin called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Attendance: Cmmr. Dist. 1, Herb Baze; Cmmr. Dist. 2, Wes Johnson; Cmmr. Dist. 3, Jayni Kamin. ATTENDANCE Dr. Mark Trucksess, Health Officer Steve Kutz, Department of Health Director Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Director Rebecca Wells, Mason County Journal, Reporter CORRESPONDENCE None APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Commissioners requested a copy of the minutes prior to the meeting to review. The approval of June 2002, July 2002, August 2002, October 2002, November 2002, December 2002 and January 2003 meeting minutes have been moved to the April 10th meeting. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT: Dr. Trucksess, Health Officer reported the February Communicable Diseases as one case of Camphylobacter, one case of Shigella, one case of active Hepatitis B, two cases of Chronic Hepatitis C, one new active case of TB, one case of Yersinia Enterocolitica, one case of Legionella, and one case of Malaria. The February STD cases are five cases of Chlamydia, one case of GC and one case of Herpes Simplex Virus. PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES Dr. Trucksess informed the Board that nurses and other staff at Mason General Hospital were exposed to TB prior to knowing this case was positive. The initial cultures were negative but further testing of cultures did grow TB. The patient was transferred over to Saint Peters Hospital. The patient has been released and quarantined to his home until his cultures are negative. Cmmr. Baze asked if the first test comes back negative could that mean the person was actually positive but caught in the early stages. Dr. Trucksess stated that he is not sure why the initial tests were negative. Steve Kutz, Health Department Director informed the Board of the follow-up that is required for an active TB case when the patient is released from the hospital. He stated that the patient is quarantined to his home until the TB test comes back negative. During the time the patient is quarantined a nurse goes to the home daily to make sure the patient takes the medication. This process may take up to four months to complete depending on the medication prescribed. Cmmr. Johnson questioned if any of these cases reported were WCC statistics, and if so, in the future will the data be separated. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 6, 2003 - PAGE 2 Mr. Kutz stated that the WCC cases are included and his staff is working on modifying the database to separate the data. There is a footnote in this data that does identify that one of the Chlamydia cases is a WCC case. Mr. Kutz informed the Board of an outbreak of the Norwalk Virus that has closed a school in Vaughn. The schools here in Mason County have been alerted. There haven't been any signs of the virus here in Mason County but due to the closeness of the counties, schools have been alerted. ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Mr. John Grendon, State Veterinarian from the Department of Health gave a presentation on the West Nile Virus. Mr. Grendon stated that the West Nile Virus is not a threat as a terrorist event. Mr. Grendon presented background information on the mosquito born disease WNV. The transmission cycle is between mosquitoes and birds, then mosquitoes to horses and humans. There are mosquitoes that only bite birds but most bite both birds and mammals. The virus does kill wild birds if they are infected with it. This is the reason Health Departments test wild birds when they are found dead. There hasn't been a human case of Western Equine Encephalitis since 1982 and the last horse case was 1983. Both were reported in Eastern Washington. Testing has been done to prove that WNV is not transmitted from horses or humans. Testing has also been done to prove that if a mosquito bites an infected horse then bites a human it will not transmit the virus to the human. The recommendation presented is to give horses a booster now while it is off-season for mosquito. The human cases are growing and states are spending more time and money to try and protect people and horses from contracting the virus. The fatality rate is higher in horses. The symptoms are high fever, headache, achy bodies, skin rash, swollen lymph glands, neck stiffness, disorientation and convulsions. The incubation period for WNV is generally 3-14 days following a bite from an infected mosquito. Statistics show that people over the age of fifty are at a higher risk. The cases seem to begin in August and September. Tips for protecting the public health is by mosquito surveillance, personal protection, education, and mosquito control. The Culex mosquito is the most common type that will bite both human and bird. They don't have a record that they are here in Mason County, but they are sure they are here. Mosquito control is to address a plan that can train and license personnel to use mosquito control compounds and to keep the community involved and informed in the decision process, especially if adulticiding (spraying) is considered. Personal protection is to wear long sleeves and pants in mosquito infested areas and to use repellant containing DEET while following directions carefully. Limit outdoor activities at dawn and early evening and repair holes in door and window screens. Habitat reduction is to eliminate standing water, change the water in birdbaths at least weekly, aerate and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs and cover if possible. Consider mosquito eating fish for your pond and keep gutters clean to prevent standing water. Spread the word to educate your friends and neighbors. A question from the audience was asked as to when there would be a human vaccine. Mr. Grendon stated that currently there is not a human vaccine but there is one in the works. It will not be completed for at least another couple of years. Another question asked was if the brush pickers had been identified as a resource for finding dead birds and reporting them for testing of the virus. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 6, 2003 - PAGE 3 Mr. Grendon stated that the brush pickers had not been targeted as an information resource but it would be a good idea because they are out in the woods daily. Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Director, responded to the question about the brush pickers and stated that she is looking into developing Spanish literature to send out to the pickers. The reason she is looking into the Spanish literature is because most of the groups that pick brush are Hispanic. Another question by the audience was regarding natural remedies that can be used as a repellant to mosquitoes. Mr. Grendon said that tests have been done on natural remedies and vitamins but the best repellant has proved to be DEET. He knows this is a chemical but it has proved to be the very best repellant. Cmmr. Johnson questioned the results of the birds tested last year. Ms. Riley informed the Board that all the tests from last year did come back negative. Cmmr. Kamin asked how the local veterinarians are informed and educated on the information that has been presented today and any new cases during the season. Mr. Grendon stated that veterinarians do attend seminars regularly and that the information is mailed to them. Mr. Kutz requested to move the April Board of Health meeting to April 10tn due to a scheduling conflict. He also informed the Board that there would be a hearing for a denial of a well. The Board set the hearing for 10:30 a.m. on April 10tn ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH WAIVERS/VARIANCES Submitted to the Board by Health Director, Steve Kutz. ADJOURNED The meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m. due to no further business. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS March 6, 2003 - PAGE 4 HEALTH OFFICER Dr. dark Trucksess, Health Officer BOARD OF HEALTH MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON Jayni Kamin, Chairperson Wesley f< Johnsan, Commissioner Herb Baze, Commissioner