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Home My WebLink About1996/05/02 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 2, 1996 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson William O. Hunter with Board Members Cady and Faughender in attendance. ATTENDANCE: William O. Hunter, Chairperson Mary Jo Cady, Board Member Mary L. Faughender, Board Member Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer Brad Banner, Health Services Director Steve Kutz, Director of Personal Health Brent Long, Board of Health Clerk Sean Hanlon, Journal APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded to approve the minutes of the March 7th, April 4th, and April 15th, 1996, meetings as presented. Motion carried unanimously. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer, reported that the Health Department had hoped the county's Hepatitis epidemic had abated. However, there were five new Hepatitis A cases since the last Board of Health meeting. These cases were also associated with the IV drug using community. Two of the infected parties were now incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center, but had not been in the Mason County Jail. One case had also tested positive for Hepatitis B, and another had tested positive for Hepatitis C. Dr. Trucksess informed that additional funding for the Universal Vaccine Plan would be forthcoming from the Legislature which will enable county health departments to purchase supplementary vaccines. The Board was advised that the world's worst outbreak of Toxoplasmosis had occurred in Victoria, B.C. This was the first -ever water borne outbreak of Toxoplasmosis, and was due to the contamination of a water reservoir. Dr. Trucksess explained that Toxoplasmosis was an infection caused by a parasite which is spread in cat feces. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, flu -like feelings and sometimes an eye infection that can lead to blindness. It is extremely dangerous for pregnant women because the fetus can become infected. The major prevention for pregnant women is to not change the litter box of the family cat. The measles outbreak in Clark County was updated. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 2, 1996 - Page 2 of 3 Board Member Cady questioned a statistic she had heard that five residents of Washington State have died of the Hanta Virus. This statistic was released after the virus caused the death of a British Columbia resident recently. Dr. Trucksess knew of two deaths from active cases of the virus. One in Lewis County and another in Eastern Washington. He believed the others may have been determined by autopsies. The Hanta Virus is spread in the droppings of Deer Mice which are plentiful in our area. People should be extremely careful not to breathe in the dust from the animal's feces. CONDOM ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director, presented a written report on the condom accessibility program. In July, 1995, four condom vending machines were purchased at a cost of $1,014.56 with Preventive Health dollars. By October, 1995, all four machines were installed with the assistance of Dale and Kelly of Central Services who volunteered their time. Two machines were placed at Daisy's Roadside Inn and the DooWop Diner. Between November 16, 1995 and March 22, 1996, 304 condoms were dispensed at Daisy's Roadside Inn and 377 were dispensed at the DooWop Diner. The condoms are sold at cost which is 50 cents for two. Surveys were available at the • machines, but only three had been completed. Board Member Faughender asked how the department felt the program was progressing. Mr. Kutz replied that this was providing another source of condoms to the community which was not there previously. The department will continue to monitor the one-year pilot program. IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM REPORT Mr. Kutz reported that free immunization clinics have taken place in the North Mason Medical Clinic and the Health Department Clinic in Shelton. Eighteen children were seen in North Mason in four hours, and twenty children were seen at the Health Department. Sixty-nine immunizations were given. This large turn out indicates there is a certain population who need immunizations but are not being reached. The department was recommending that these free immunization days be done every quarter, and to consider a separate sliding fee scale for immunizations. Many children were behind in their immunization schedule and were from families who had no insurance, inadequate insurance, and were of moderate income levels. Board Member Faughender commented that he believed they were trying to reach people who had no income or very low income. A survey may be completed at the next free immunization clinic in order to get detailed information. Mr. Kutz commented thatit is the State's goal, by the year 2000, to have 90% of our children fully immunized by age 2 or 3. RECREATIONAL USE OF PROPERTY POLICY Mr. Brad Banner, Health Services Director, presented proposed changes to the policies governing the development of recreational lots. Board Member Cady questioned Item F, at the top of page 2, which should be labeled Item E. The sentence: "Therefore, use of the property for camping by large groups must be avoided," was addressed. She wondered how "large groups," "use of property," and "must be avoided" could be defined. She suggested it become part of Section C rather than be its own entity. Mr. Banner agreed, noting that the subjective part makes it very difficult. Mr. Banner noted this was a policy which would need to be changed in time. It would MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 2, 1996 - Page 3 of 3 not solve all the future problems, but it would give the staff something to use as a guide. Board Member Faughender asked how the policy would relate to people living in RVs. Mr. Banner replied that it allows them to have an enclosed chemical toilet which requires an annual permit or a pit privy which requires a permit for toilet waste. The gray water waste would either need an approved system or a holding tank which would need to be checked annually. If it was in an environmentally sensitive area there would also need to be a judgment whether it was appropriate or not. Board Member Cady acknowledged the amount of work put into the proposal. Board Member Faughender asked who had worked on the proposal. Mr. Banner replied that he had prepared a draft which was reviewed by staff. Board Member Faughender stated he was receiving continual complaints on this issue. He wondered if a public advisory committee had been involved in the process. Mr. Banner responded there had not been, but perhaps people who were concerned about this issue could get together and review the subject. The policies would probably not give any comfort to the neighbors who were being subjected to some of these things. Chairperson Hunter suggested the policy be adopted and that the Board consider creating an advisory board. Mr. Banner remarked that this policy addresses the Health Department's needs but does not address the aesthetic aspects that residents object to. Even though the law was being met, the residents were still not happy because of the lack of zoning and covenants. Chairperson Hunter noted some of the objections needed to be addressed by the Building Department because they were not just sanitation issues. Mr. Banner replied that the matter had been coordinated with the Building Department. Board Member Faughender remarked that community club members may be interested in addressing this problem. Board Members Cady/Faughender moved/seconded that the policies be approved as presented, and that steps be taken in creating an advisory committee to review the policies and recommend changes. Motion carried unanimously. MEETING ADJOURNED Board Members Faughender/Cady moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting be adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Coots MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH _efic4;.1, 6C) William O. Hunter, Chairperson 1 Mary Jo C y, ardembe f/ I 1. ►,I � o M. ' . Faughender oard Member