HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/05/02 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
COMMISSIONER'S CHAMBERS
MAY 2, 2002
Page 1 of 4
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
COMMISSIONER'S CHAMBERS
MONTHLY MEETING
May 2, 2002
The Mason County Board of Health was called to order by Chairperson Bob Holter on
May 2, 2002 at 10:05 a.m. with Board Member Herb Baze present and Board Member Wes
Johnson absent. Chairperson Bob Holter requested that all stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
ATTENDANCE:
Bob Holter, Chairperson
Herb Baze, Board Member
Dr. Mark Trucksess, Health Officer
Steve Kutz, Health Department Director
Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Director
Mary Duncan, Mason County Journal, Reporter
Nancy Plews, Clerk
Sonja Rau, Transcriptionist
CORRESPONDENCE: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Herb Baze moved for the approval of the April 4, 2002
monthly minutes for the Mason County Board of
Health.
Holter, seconded.
Holter, Aye; Baze, Aye; Johnson, Absent.
ADMINISTRATION ISSUES —
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT:
Dr. Mark Trucksess, Health Officer gave the Communicable Disease Report for the month of
April.
1 case of Salmonella
2 cases of chronic Hepatitis B
5 cases started on latent Tuberculosis therapy.
24 cases currently on latent therapy.
The Texas Department of Health sent out a warning of a Wrigley Chewing Gum conference on
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
COMMISSIONER'S CHAMBERS
MAY 2, 2002
Page 2 of 4
April 1 to 5 and many cases of Salmonella. Several from Thurston and Mason County who
attended the conference.
In 2001, Chlamydia is the most commonly recorded sexually transmitted disease in Washington
State. There were 13,031 cases recorded. Gonorrhea reports increased from 2,400 cases to
2,029 cases. Syphilis was reported in 76 cases in 2001. Mason County is rated #8 in the
Washington State for Chlamydia.
There was a survey done by Mr. Hagar for the CDC showing nationwide, 40% of High School
Students are using marijuana and 30% are smoking cigarettes.
In the year 2000, Mason County had 8 deaths from pneumonia, 37 deaths from chronic lung
disease, 6 deaths from cirrhosis of the liver, and 141 deaths from cancer (51 deaths from lung
cancer, 20 deaths from colorectal cancer, 7 female breast cancer, 4 prostate cancer, 5 cancer of
the pancreas). There were 5 suicides in the County, 2 homicides, and 1 death of undetermined
cause. There were also 5 drug induced deaths, 5 alcohol related deaths, and 24 deaths from
unintentional injury (13 were from motor vehicle accidents, 4 were falls, and 1 from drowning).
The CDC reported that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The serious
form, melanoma, has increased by 150% in the past decade. The death rate has increased by 44%.
Melanoma is caused by exposure to ultra -violet radiation, most of this exposure is during
childhood and adolescents. Those who have blistered during a sunburn are twice as likely to
contact Melanoma. There is a need for young people to protect themselves from the sun,
particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the peak hours. Sunglasses and sunscreen are
recommended against UVA and UVB and the protection factor of 15 or greater. Also avoid the
sun -lamps and suntan beds.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH —
SHELLFISH REPORT:
The Shellfish Report was given by Environmental Health Director, Debbie Riley. The report is
enclosed in the packet.
Shellfish growing areas in Mason County that are considered threatened for a downgrade include
Annas Bay, Hood Canal #6, Hood Canal #8, Hood Canal #9, North Bay and Oakland Bay. The
growing areas that appear on the concerned list include Hood Canal #6, Hood Canal #7, and
Pickering Passage.
TUBERCULOSIS REPORT:
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
COMMISSIONER'S CHAMBERS
MAY 2, 2002
Page 3 of 4
Steve Kutz, Health Department Director talked briefly about tuberculosis. He stated that when
one person gets TB, they infect at least 10 other people. At highest risk are children. Those who
have been infected by someone else are called latent Tuberculosis. Latent Tuberculosis is treated
for 9 months and they have a 1% chance of getting full-blown Tuberculosis. There are only a few
category of people who are tested for TB - Health Care Providers and those who work in jails are
targeted for testing. In Mason County, the targeted risk people are now the Hispanic people.
The Tuberculosis Prevention Program is to identify active Tuberculosis cases, put them on
treatment with multi -drug therapy which are given under observation to insure they take all their
treatment. An in-depth epidemiological exposure, and put them on preventative therapy for 3
months. People coming in from third world countries have a higher risk of acquiring Tuberculosis
sometime in their life. In Mason County it is mainly Hispanics and in Snohomish it is Russians
that are at risk for Tuberculosis, latent and full-blown Tuberculosis. HIV/AIDS has brought
Tuberculosis back to the fore -front again. The Health Department has the authority to lock up an
actively infected person. The new jail will have two rooms that are negative pressure rooms. The
Health Department will usually work with the person who needs to stay at home, away from other
people, by paying their rent or house payment and getting them food when needed.
WAVERS/VARIANCES:
Submitted to the Board by Health Director, Steve Kutz.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m..
Respectfully submitted by:
Bob Holter, Chairperson
Herb Baze, Board Member
r.`'Mark Trucksess, Health Officer
Absent
Wes Johnson, Board Member