HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/05/04 - Board of Health Mason County Board of Health
Commissioner's Chambers
May 4,2000
Page 1 of 4
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
COMMISSIONER'S CHAMBERS
MAY 4, 2000
The Mason County Board of Health was called to order May 4,2000 at 10:02 a.m. by
Chairperson Cynthia Olsen with Board Member John Bolender present and Board
Member Mary Jo Cady absent.
ATTENDANCE: Cynthia Olsen, Chairperson
John Bolender,Board Member
Steve Kutz,Director Health Services
Debbie Riley,Director Environmental Health Services
Dr. Mark Trucksess,Health Officer
Joe Bourgault, Septic Pumpers Representative
Mary Duncan,Mason County Journal
Nancy Plews,Board Clerk
Sonja Rau, Transcriptionist
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: John Bolender moved for the approval of the April 13,
2000 meeting minutes as circulated. Cynthia Olsen
seconded.
Olsen,Aye; Bolender,Aye; Cady,Absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES-
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT:
Dr. Mark Trucksess gave the Communicable Disease Report for April 2000.
1 case of amebiasis
The State Health Department has authorized Mason County, along with thirteen other Counties,
to provide Hepatitis A vaccine as part of the Vaccine Program for Children(free vaccine for
children two to eighteen years of age)because there are instances of hepatitis A greater than 20
per 2,000. The other twenty-six Counties in Washington are not experiencing a high rate of
hepatitis A. The vaccine is available upon the request of parents or by a health care provider.
Mason County will provide this starting July lst
Mason County Board of Health
Commissioner's Chambers
May 4,2000
Page 2 of 4
The CDC has issued a report to amend the MMWR on Biological and Chemical Terrorism. They
have now identified the kinds of diseases and chemicals we might be exposed to in a terrorist
attack. They have categorized them into three categories:
Category A-High priority which poses a risk to national security is easily disseminated or
transmitted person to person causing a major potential for public health impact, public
panic and social disruption. Category A agents: small pox, anthrax, plague, botulism,
tularaemia, filoviruses, and arenaviruses.
Category B - Second highest priority is moderately easy to disseminate, causes moderate
to low morbidity, requires specific enhancements of CDC's diagnostic capacity and
enhanced disease surveillance. Category B agents: Q fever, brucellosis, glanders,
alphaviruses, ricin toxin from castor beans, epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens, and
Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
Subset list of B agents that are food- or waterborne: Salmonella species, Shigella
dysenteriae, Escherichia coli O 15TH7, Vibrio cholerae, and Cryptosporidium parvum.
Category C - Third highest priority include emerging pathogens that could be engineered
for mass dissemination in the future because of availability, ease of production and
dissemination, potential for high morbidity and mortality and major health impact.
Category C agents: Napah virus, hantavirus, tickborne hemorrhagic fever viruses,
tickborne encephalitis viruses, yellow fever, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES -
PUMPER'S MANUAL:
Debbie Riley, Director of Environmental Health, presented the Board with the Pumper's Manual
and explained that the Pumpers wanted a manual to raise the level of professionalism and insure
the Pumpers are operating at the level of State requirements, and as a guideline for all Pumpers.
In the spring of 1999 the Pumpers meet with Health Department staff on a regular basis to
develop these standards. They were then brought before the On-Site Advisory Committee for
their review and approval. The staff and area Pumpers are proposing the adoption of the Pumpers
standards as an appendix to On-Site Standards.
Debbie Riley introduced Joe Bourgault who gave a brief history and stated that the purpose of the
manual is to raise the standards according to the County, the profession, and the homeowners.
He stated there are a lot of systems that the drainfields are not working and gave some examples.
Enforcement was also discussed and suggestions were given. Joe mentioned that meth labs are a
growing problem in the County and he has told his drivers to just leave when they suspect this.
He recommended that all Pumpers attend a meeting put on by the State Patrol about meth labs
and they be able to identify the smell connected with them for their safety, as well as the
Mason County Board of Health
Comnussioner's Chambers
May 4,2000
Page 3 of 4
community. Changes and corrections were made by the Health Board Members.
John Bolender moved to adopt the Standards for Mason County Certified Pumpers as an
Appendix Six to the Health Standards as amended. Cynthia Olsen seconded.
Olsen,Aye; Bolender,Aye; Cady,Absent.
PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES -
Steve Kutz stated that a request for a low-income dental clinic had been made. It has been
accepted, but no money to fund it. Other options are being looked at.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WAIVERSNARIANCES:
Steve Kutz presented these to the Health Board.
HUD PROGRAM:
Steve Kutz stated that HUD had notified them of a program concerning HUD houses. These are
houses that had not sold in six months and would be sold for $1.00 plus closing cost to local
government agencies. The Board was briefed on this early in the month.
OTHER:
A discussion took place concerning the waivers for building before a well is drilled. Steve Kutz
explained the process for this.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m..
Respectfully submitted by:
Sonja A. Rau, Transcriptionist
MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS
Mason County Board of Health
Connnissioner's Chambers
May 4,2000
Page 4 of 4
Cya dda 015en, Chairpewsona John BoRender, Beard Member
May Jo Coady, 16onvQl Member, absent Dr. MnRic Trucksegs, Health Officev
Mason County Board of Health Meeting
Commissioner's Chambers
February 3,2000
Page 3 of 3
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES:
Stephanie Kenny sent a letter asking for the removal of several members from the Food Advisory
Committee because of lack of attendance, which was presented by Debbie Riley, Environmental
Health Director. They are Don Betker, Don Mack, and Geri Purvis. The following members
asked to be removed due to other commitments: Ruffus Faroutte and Dave Freddersen. It was
recommended by Mary Jo Cady that no one be removed until the two positions are filled. John
Bolender stated that if it is a by-laws issue, Steffan needs to connect them as Chair of the
committee and ask them if they intend to fulfill the requirements or resign, which follows the
procedures.
PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES: None.
WAIVERS: Presented to Commissioner's.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
The meeting was adjourned at 11:32 a.m, by Chairperson, John Bolender.
Respectfully submitted by: _
Sonja Rau, Transcriptionist
J n Bolender, Chairperson
Mary Jo dX, Board �,6mber
ABSENT
Cynthia Olsen, Board Member
Dr Mark Trucksess, .Heal Of ' cer
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