HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/01/08 - Board of HealthMason County Board of Health
January 8, 1998
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MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
January 8, 1998
The Mason County Board of Health was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Chairperson Mary Jo
Cady with Board Members John Bolender and Cindy Olsen in attendance. Board Member John
Bolender nominated Board Member Cindy Olsen as Chairperson for the Mason County Board of
Health. Chairperson Mary Jo Cady seconded. Cady, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Olsen, Aye.
ATTENDANCE: Cindy Olsen, Chairperson
Mary Jo Cady, Board Member
John Bolender, Board Member
Brad Banner, Director Health Services
Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director
Dr. Mark Trucksess, Health Officer
Mary Duncan, Mason County Journal
Nancy Plews, Board Clerk
Sonja Rau, Board Transcriptionist
CORRESPONDENCE:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Board Member Cady moved that the minutes for the November 18, 1997 meeting be approved,
Olsen seconded. Cady, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Olsen, Aye.
Board Member Cady moved that the minutes for the December 3, 1997 meeting be approved
Bolender seconded. Cady, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Olsen, Aye.
HEALTH OFFICERS REPORT:
Dr. Mark Trucksess reported on the Mason County's communicable and morbidity rate for 1997:
2 listeria monocytogenes
11 hepatitis C
11 hepatitis B, with four deaths
5 hepatitis A
1 mumps
11 camphylobacter
1 neisseria meningitis
6 pertussis
3 salmonella
7 giardia
1 streptococcus pneumonia
Mason County Board of Health
January 8, 1998
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1 E coli 0157:H7
1 shigella
1 rabies
Dr. Turcksess stated that Mason County experienced an epidemic of hepatitis in 1996 and ranked
first in the State. Director of Personal Health, Steve Kutz explained that hepatitis B and C were
usually found when screening was done for hepatitis A. He also stated that in 75% of the people
who test positive for one kind of hepatitis will also have another type too. Steve Kutz also stated
that out of the 11 reported cases of hepatitis B last year, four died which is a rate of 36%. Steve
Kutz commented that there is a higher than expected rate dying, due to compromised livers and
that there may actually be more cases than what we know. A Denominator of 36 % is not good.
Board Member Cady mentioned that we need to push hand washing among the general
population. Hand washing was discussed and Board Member Cady ask why more signs were not
placed in public restrooms with instruction on the proper hand washing. Board Member Cady
recommended that the Board promote a hand washing program in the public schools. Dr.
Trucksess stated that he felt instruction in the public schools might cut down the spread of
diseases.
State Epidemiologist Dr. John Kobayaski of the Washington State Department of Health sent out
a report on the Hong Kong chicken flu. Dr. Trucksess stated that there were 502 people tested
who were exposed to a child that died from the chicken flu - only 9 tested positive. Others who
tested positive in Hong Kong were poultry handlers. Dr. Trucksess stated that it doesn't appear
to be widely communicable. He also reported that Seattle King County received kits to test for it
due to it being a west coast port city.
Dr. Trucksess reported that the Federal Drug Administration has given permission to radiate
meat. Dr. Truckssess stated that he approves of this and that the fear the general population has
is unfounded. He also stated that the radiated meat is to be marked.
Dr. Trucksess stated that in 1993 and 1997, 15,000 children were tested for lead. About 2% had
lead levels above 10 micrograms - 20 micrograms is when a person gets ill. 65 of the children
tested had 20+ micrograms (4 of these children were from same family), 15 children were tested
from Mason Co and none were positive. Those who have tested positive for lead poisoning got it
from various sources: 11 paint soil or dust
3 home remedies
2 remodeling
1 ceramics
1 parental occupation
The Mason County Hospital staff were given this report.
Mason County Board of Health
January 8, 1998
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Two WA Public Health handouts were given by Dr. Mark Trucksess. One was on Lessons from •
the 1996 Measles Epidemic in Clark County and the second one was on Methamphetamine Labs:
Community Risks and Public Health Responses.
Dr. Trucksses read some of the methamphetamine Lab report. He stated that the number of labs
are increasing in Washington State. Portions of the Measles Epidemic report were also read.
Personal Health Issues: None
Environmental Health: Waivers were presented to Chairperson Cindy Olsen by Brad Banner,
Director of Health Services.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sonja 1 Rau iraase-rPfioa �sf
Chairpersoi , Cindy Olsen
oaid Member, John Bolender
Board Mber,GIary Jo Cad