HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/02/05 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
February 5, 1998
The Mason County Board of Health was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Chairperson Cindy
Olsen with Board Member John Bolender and Board Member Mary Jo Cady absent.
ATTENDANCE:
Cindy Olsen, Chairperson
John Bolender, Board Member
Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director
Dr. Mark Trucksess, Health Officer
Joy Johnson, Health Department Staff
Carla Huyck, Health Department Staff
David E. Hinkle
Jean Hinkle
Fred Fawcett
Ray Coleman
Abby Leach
Bob Hedin
Donald Mckinnon
Steve Kellog
Kay Thykeson
Orville Thykeson
Jutta Reidiger, Member of Governor Council for AIDS
Sandy Prideaux
Diane Crabtree
Mary Duncan, Mason County Journal
Nancy Plews, Clerk
Sonja Rau, Transcriptionist
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Board Member John Bolender moved that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Chairperson, Cindy Olsen seconded. Olsen, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Cady, Absent.
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT:
Dr. Mark Trucksess reported that for the month of January:
1 camphylobacter
1 hepatitis B
2 tuberculosis cases are currently being investigated
Asian Influenza A H5N1 or Hong Kong Chicken Flu Update: The 131 known case appeared in a 3-
year-old boy who died from respiratory failure in May of 1997. Of the remaining 15 confirmed
cases: 5 had onset in November and December of 1997. (No one has been identified as having
onset after December 28t.); 4 persons have died; 3 persons remain in critical condition. Of the
502 tested, who may have had contact with the child, only 9 have shown positive titer, and of
those, 5 were poultry workers. Of the people who did have contact with the child, 54 were Health
Care Workers, one was positive titer; of 73 laboratory workers one had a titer. Dr. Trucksess
stated that this shows that the virus is not readily spread from human beings and probably not at
risk of being a world-wide epidemic.
There is currently an epidemic of hepatitis A in Spokane, Washington. There are about 13,000 to
20,000 people who may have been exposed in Players & Spectator's Restaurant. Four of the
workers have turned positive with hepatitis A. Between January 12th and January 21s` the
Spokane Health Department administered approximately 5,000 doses of immunoglobulin and
have been handling up to 700 people per day. They ran out of immunoglobulin and were
requesting supplies from all the other counties. The restaurants in Spokane are now asking to
have their workers vaccinated. Mason County provides a certificate and window stickers to
restaurants that vaccinate their employees for Hepatitis A Prevention Program.
Dr. Trucksess presented to the Board the cost of treating a Tuberculosis Case by the Mason
County Health Department. Dr. Trucksess stated that more and more cases of the multiple drug
resistant tuberculosis are being seen. Some of them are requiring 5 drugs to treat them and the
cost goes up if they are non -compliant.
In 1996, Mason County had a hepatitis A outbreak and ended up with 32 cases of hepatitis A
only; 7 cases of hepatitis A and B; 8 cases of hepatitis A and C; 8 cases of hepatitis. A, B, and C;
19 of the cases were admitted IV drug users. Total children involved were 17: 1, 1-year-old; 3,
5-year-old; 7, 6-12-year-old. Dr Trucksess handed out the Report of this outbreak with nursing
time spent on treating this and the cost. Also inclosed report on immunoglobulin shots that were
given out for the restaurant outbreak in 1996, a High School party, and a Kindergarten Class with
the total cost to the Health Department.
Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director, gave a report on the Radio Frequency Radiation From
Wireless Communication Facilities. This report can be found on the FCC's web site on the
Internet.
PRESENTATION FROM AIDS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO KAY THYKESON:
Jutta Rediger, Co -Chair of the AIDS Advisory Council, presented a Thank You Award to Kay
Thykeson; AIDS Case Manager, for her years of work with and for the AIDS patients. Abby
Leach, therapist, was asked by the AIDS patients to recognize Kay Thykeson with a plaque,
which she presented to Kay.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH -
ON -SITE SEWAGE REGULATION:
Steve Kutz asked for a date to be set for a public hearing on the On -Site Sewage Regulation. The
date March 5th at 10:30 a.m. following the regular meeting was recommended.
Board Member, John Bolender moved that a public hearing be set for March 5, 1998 at
10:30 a.m. to consider changes to the on -site sewage regulations. Chairperson, Cindy Olsen
seconded.
Olsen, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Cady, Absent.
ON -SITE POLICIES:
The proposed on -site policy revisions have been updated, effective today (February 5, 1998) with
the body of the proposed changes remaining in tact. The proposed policy is to guide the staff in
issuance of permits and fee refunds.
Board Member, John Bolender moved that the on -site policies for sludge utilization, on -site
permits interpretations, community drainfields, and on -site fee reductions as proposed be
passed. Chairperson, Cindy Olsen, seconded.
Olsen, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Cady, Absent.
MIDDLETON/PITTMAN APPEAL HEARING:
Steve Kutz stated that the talks between the Middletons and Pittmans had broken down. He
suggested that an appeal hearing be set for April 2, 1998 at 10:30 a.m.
Board Member, John Bolender moved that a appeal hearing be set for the Middleton case
on April 2, 1998 at 10:30 a.m.. Chairperson, Cindy Olsen seconded.
Olsen, Aye; Bolender, Aye; Cady, Absent.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WAIVERS/VARIANCES:
Handed to the Board by Steve Kutz.
COMMENTS:
Dr. Trucksess stated that $71,433.58 worth of vaccine was contributed in 1997. (This isn't actual
dollars.) Steve Kutz stated that 240 doses of immunogloblin was donated to Spokane, which they
will reimburse. It was stated that often the restaurants or organizations pay for the
immunoglobulin. It was suggested that the restaurants be advised of their commitments. It was
decided to turn this over to the Food Advisory Committee.
ADJOURNED:
Chairperson, Cindy Olsen, adjourned the meeting at 10:48 a.m..
Respectfully submitted by:
Sonja R ,Transcriptionist
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH:
Cindy O1s'pn, Chairperson
John Bolender, Board Member
Mary Jo Cady, Board Member
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