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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/09/05 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 5, 1996 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:05 a.m. by Chairperson William O. Hunter with Board Member Cady in attendance. ATTENDANCE: William O. Hunter, Chairperson Mary Jo Cady, Board Member Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer Brad Banner, Health Services Director Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director Pam Denton, Lead Environmental Health Specialist Brent Long, Board of Health Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved/seconded by Board Member Cady/Chairperson Hunter that the minutes of the August 1, 1996 Board of Health meeting and Saelens Appeal be approved as circulated. Motion carried. Vote: H:yes; C:yes; F:absent. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer, reported on the status of the Hanta Virus. The deer mouse, a small gray mouse with a white belly, carries the virus and is very common throughout the United States, especially in rural areas. The transmission of the virus from rodent to humans occurs through the air or possibly by bites. Person to person transmission has never been documented. Approximately 30 percent of the mice tested were found to be carrying the virus. Mice tested in Western Washington showed that 5-10 percent were carriers. Most persons, in the United States, who develop Hanta Virus appear to be exposed to rodents in and around rural homes although there have also been some occupational exposures. The earliest case occurred in 1985, and since that time, there have been 23 deaths from this virus. Cases have been documented in Yakima, Lewis, Stevens, Grant, Franklin, and Snohomish Counties. Nationwide as of May, 1996, there have been 135 people infected in 24 states. The majority of cases have been men (59%) and the average age of those affected has been 35, but the range was from 11 years to 69 years. The initial illness resembles the flu or gastroenteritis. Symptoms include fever, muscle ache, cough, chills, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease worsens rapidly, changing to respiratory distress, the lungs fill up with fluid, and white cell counts and platelet counts drop. Currently, there is no antibiotic to treat people infected with the virus. The Health Department has been active in assembling information about the Hanta Virus and its prevention. When cleaning up after mice, you should use bleach and water, a mask, and gloves. Contents should be placed in a plastic bag. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 5, 1996 - Page 2 of 3 In March, 1995, there was a death of a four-year old girl in Centralia from rabies. This was the first death caused by rabies in our state since 1939. The fact that a child contracted rabies and died from rabies without having been bitten was a frightening proposition. Perhaps being in contact with the saliva of the rabid bat was enough to transmit the disease. This case has changed the Center for Disease Control's recommendations in dealing with bats, and has raised many questions pertaining to who should pay for the testing of bats and the people who come in contact with them. The cost of rabies vaccinations range from $800 to $1,500 per person. This could be a significant problem, financially, for health departments, and one our county may have to face some time in the future. CONDOM DISTRIBUTION POLICY Mr. Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director, commented that the report pertaining to the condom distribution policy would be presented at the October Board of Health meeting. NORTH BAY SEWER BOUNDARIES - BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW POLICY Mr. Brad Banner, Health Services Director, submitted a proposed policy pertaining to building permit requirements, as related to on -site sewage disposal, for areas within the service boundaries of the North Bay Public Sewer System Project. Board Member Cady questioned whether a time - frame should be included in Section II (a). She suggested that the wording, "Beginning immediately upon adoption of this policy ..." be added. The rest of the policy, in her opinion, was well stated. Chairperson Hunter suggested that Mr. Banner investigate what reduced requirements other counties have initiated in a similar situation. He noted that the policy would be a working document to be used during the interim. If other issues arise, the Board of Health could address them at that time. Moved/seconded by Board Member Cady/Chairperson Hunter that the Building Permit Review Policy for parcels within North Bay Sewer Boundaries be approved with one addition; that Section II (a) include the time -frame showing when the work would be started to determine reduced requirements. Motion carried. Vote: H:yes; C:yes; F:absent. APPEAL FINDING - SAELENS Moved/seconded by Board Member Cady/Chairperson Hunter that the Board of Health approve the appeal request from James B. and Phyllis M. Saelens with the following conditions: 1) That a copy of the site inspection report from the Department of Health be submitted to the Health Department when the Saelens' shellfish permit is applied for or granted OR 2) That a dye test be conducted to prove that the Saelens do not have a failing system; and, 3) That the Saelens' deed reflect that no further residences can be built on the two lots; and, 4) That the staff report and minutes from the previous meeting be held as Findings and Conclusions, and that a copy of the Stetson Beach Tract Map be included as evidence. Chairperson Hunter asked for discussion of the motion. Board Member Cady commented that there has been a shellfish permit applied for so there should be an inspection report available. However, if it was not available, then a dye test should be necessary. There was no testimony at the appeal hearing that indicated there has been, or currently was, or expected to be a failure on that property. Also, there was no indication in the testimony as to where the residence was located on the sites. There was an indication that the house was located MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 5, 1996 - Page 3 of 3 on both lots, but she wanted to ensure that another residence would not be placed on the same two lots. The size of the expansion, when the stairwell was taken out, was approximately 300 feet. Part of the expansion goes off to side areas that probably would not be living areas. The house was only a little over 1,000 square feet now, and would only expand to 1,300. She questioned the 200 feet expansion maximum because there could be a 200 square feet expansion on a 1,000 square feet house, or a 200 square feet expansion on a 3,000 square feet house. Perhaps a percentage of expansion would make more sense, or something that would allow a decent -sized room expansion. The testimony showed that, at this time, the septic system did not meet current code. However, it did when it was originally installed. She did not believe there would be enough of an impact from adding the second -story room to warrant any further action. Especially if it could be proved by a dye test or the DOH testing required for the shellfish permit that there was not a failure at this time. If it was shown that there was a failure, the Board would have to re -look at the site for possible expansion of the septic system. Chairperson Hunter commented that tying the two lots together indefinitely, and having this fact recorded on the Saelens' deed would prevent future residential buildings from being constructed on the two lots. This condition would give the Saelens ample area for correction in the future if there were to ever be a failure. Motion carried. Vote: H:yes; C:yes; F:absent. MEETING ADJOURNED Board Member Cady/Chairperson Hunter moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting be adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Motion carried. Vote: H:yes; C:yes; F:absent. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH William O. Hunter, Chairperson Mary tads/, Board Mpi Ther (absent) M. L. Faughender, Board Member Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Coots