mason county public health and human servicesfor the third annual environmental protection agency...
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Mason County Public Health and Human Services
Monthly Activity Report
September, 2015
This monthly summary provides a review of the work and progress that is taking place within Mason County Public
Health and Human Services. Examples are highlighted of the work, training, and program development that the
dedicated staff of the Administration, Environmental Health and Community and Family Health divisions engages
in on a monthly basis.
Mason County Public Health & Human Services Monthly Activity Report
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Public Health “The science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promotion of healthy
lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention and detection and control of infectious diseases.”
-CDC Foundation
I. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH
Trainings:
Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu and Communicable Disease nurse Susan Herrick attended the
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases “Pink Book” Training September
16th and 17th in Tacoma. This training included learning about the immune system and how the
immune system responds to vaccines, the timing and spacing of vaccines, different types of vaccines
and how to appropriately administer them, immunization strategies for healthcare providers,
vaccine safety and storage and handling. Each disease that can be prevented by a vaccine was
highlighted, including what causes the disease, symptoms that can occur, and how to manage it.
The training was very informative and educational!
Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD):
The Smile Survey Oral Health Assessments are starting up again this year to survey children in local
Mason County Head Start/ECEAP preschools and elementary Schools. The Smile Survey is
conducted every five years by dentists and dental hygienists and assesses children’s oral health in
Washington. By randomly surveying preschool and elementary students throughout the state, we
can identify communities or areas in which there are significant differences in the oral health of
kids compared to the rest of the state. For example, the 2010 Smile Survey showed that the overall
rate of tooth decay in preschoolers and elementary-age children in Washington dropped from 46%
to 40% since 2005. However, 60% of low-income children have tooth decay (Children’s Alliance,
2011). This is compared to a statewide average of only 49%, and is an example of a significant
difference in oral health care across communities in the same state. This is one example of how the
survey helps the Department of Health identify differences in health related to a particular area,
community or population, also known as a health disparity.
As part of the 2015 Smile Survey, we will be evaluating two elementary schools in October,
including Bordeaux Elementary and Sand Hill Elementary. The information collected from the
Smile Survey will help the Washington State Department of Health better understand which
populations are at highest risk and to determine how to best increase access to dental care to these
populations and reduce the differences in care to communities across the state.
Health Officer:
Our County Health Officer, Dr. Yu, routinely consults with Mason County Public Health and Human
Services. She provides guidance and expertise in health management of our community, such as
communicable disease, emergency preparedness, zoonotic diseases and substance abuse
prevention. In addition to her routine consultation with the Department this month, Dr. Yu also
attended the Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases “Pink Book” Training.
Mason County Public Health & Human Services Monthly Activity Report
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Mental Health and Substance Abuse:
Attended and shared current Mental Health and Substance abuse Coalition efforts.
Discussed and promoted the adult Substance Abuse Prevention Survey with the following:
o Shelton criminal justice
o League of Woman Voters
o KMAS radio
o Mason County Housing coalition and Shelton Community Forum
o Olympic College
o Substance Abuse and Prevention Coalition
o SADD Club and Gravity Program
o Promotion of survey on MCPHHS website and social media
o Shelton School District
Attended the Washington State Department of Health marijuana funding disbursement
meeting in Tacoma. MCPHHS was the only representative from a smaller county and
voiced the importance of keeping smaller counties and communities in mind and their
unique concerns and needs during the disbursement process.
Developed new contracts for the SADD Club media awareness and Youth N Action theater
projects to continue the great work that they’ve been doing.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Box totals for September, 2015:
o Belfair: 44.49 lbs
o Shelton: 106.65 lbs
o Total: 151.14 lbs
Onsite Sewage:
Septic Smart Week: (As posted on the MCPHHS website)
September 21-25 is SepticSmart Week. Proper care and maintenance of your septic
system will not only protect the health of the environment but will also help protect the
health of your family. Keep an eye out for tips and great resources throughout the week to
ensure your septic system is safe and working well!
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic/upload/SepticSmart_Infographic_v2_081215-
eps_508-3.pdf
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For the third annual Environmental Protection Agency campaign, Septic Smart Week, Cindy Waite
and Alex Paysse worked with the Washington State University Extension to hold two septic system
homeowner workshops. One of the classes was attended by a reporter from the Mason County
Journal and resulted in a great, full-page article, titled “How to keep your septic system safe.”
Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHERP):
September being National Preparedness Month, Mason County Division of Emergency Management
and the County Public Health & Human Services Department co-hosted a Community Preparedness
Fair on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, in the Shelton WalMart parking
lot. Many community organizations participated by setting up booths or bringing emergency
vehicles for the community to learn about ways to become better prepared for emergencies.
Fair participants included Fire Districts, Search &
Rescue, Mason General Hospital, Mason Transit,
Mason County Department of Emergency
Management and the Red Cross. Mason County
Public Health’s Medical Reserve Corp (MRC)
manned a booth to recruit new MRC volunteers and
was pleased to have 10 new inquires!
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Solid Waste:
Five new solid waste cases were received this month and 10 cases were closed.
Vector Program:
One bat specimen and one feline specimen were submitted to the Public Health Laboratories for
rabies testing during the month of September. Both results were negative for rabies.
As discussed in the August Activity Report, there were several human exposures to bats this
summer in our county involving bats positive for rabies. When human exposure to rabies is
suspected, Mason County Public Health and Human Services should be notified immediately.
There are steps you can take to keep bats out of your home, or to “bat proof” your living space:
Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bat entry into your living space.
Any openings larger than a ¼ inch x ½ inch should be tightly filled.
Use window screens, chimney caps and draft-guards beneath doors leading to attics.
Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool or caulking; and check that all
doors to the outside close tightly.
For more information on animal bites or bat exposure, call Environmental Health staff member
Carol Spaulding at (36) 427-9670 ext. 580.
II. ONGOING/ROUTINE
Drinking Water Program:
Four sanitary surveys of class A water systems were conducted during the month of September.
These surveys are part of the Joint Plan of Responsibility between the state of Washington
Department of Health and Mason County Public Health & Human Services. Sanitary surveys are
conducted on all Class A public drinking water systems every 3-5 years to ensure that adequate
quality and quantity of safe drinking water is being supplied. Class A water systems are those with
14 or more connections and they are regulated by the Washington Department of Health, Office of
Drinking Water. Monitoring drinking water for contaminants is important for both human and
environmental health, and is therefore a critical component of the work done in the Environmental
Health division. Mason County contracted to complete 42 sanitary surveys in 2015.
Food Program:
During the month of September, 308 new food worker cards (for people who handle
unpackaged foods) were issued and 28 replacement cards were issued to Mason County
residents
Routine food establishment inspections were conducted and the reports were shared with
the public in the Journal and on the KMAS website.
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Recreational Shellfish Program:
During the month of September, two Blue Mussel sets were collected for the Washington State
Department of Health’s Biotoxin Surveillance Program. Marine biotoxins are dangerous toxins
produced by certain types of algae. Different changes in the environment can cause higher than
normal concentrations of these toxins, which can be taken up by shellfish. Consuming shellfish with
these high levels can cause illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The
Biotoxin Surveillance Program helps ensure that shellfish remain safe for consumption.
Water Quality Program:
Forty shoreline and upland samples were collected for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Pollution Identification and Correction grant in September. This grant helps to protect and restore
water quality and the health of the surrounding environment.
VITAL STATISTICS AND RECORDS REQUESTS
Birth Death
Records Requests
Jan 85 180 34
Feb 91 251 21
March 73 135 24
April 81 247 13
May 113 165 12
June 101 197 10
July 90 278 21
Aug 122 202 15
Sept 128 233 20
Oct Nov Dec
September Waivers:
Parcel # & Type
Name Site Address Waiver type Approved
42201-75-90010 Waive 4 hour pump test for well
Brian Sund 25991 N US Highway 101
Pump test performed did not meet Group B design criteria, request to accept test as performed.
9/29/15
32026-75-90224 New
Judy Stephens
1411 Fireweed Rd
Reduce vertical separation from 24” to 12” for conventional pressure with attenuation zone
9/23/15
22005-55-00001 New
Arthur & Darlene Parent
191 E Wilchar Blvd
Reduce horizontal separation from 100’ to 75’ between well and septic drainfield
9/4/15
22107-50-00032 New
Gary & Debra
1480 E Mason Lake Drive
Reduce horizontal separation between drainfield and 3 private
9/8/15
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Gessel South wells from 100’ to 75’
22021-51-00009 New garage
Pamela & William Boysen
171 SE Teagle Drive
Reduce horizontal distance from foundation to septic tank to 2’
9/1/15
22218-14-00080 RV
William Larson
8610 NE North Shore Road
Holding tank for RV use 9/1/15
III. UPCOMING IN OCTOBER
Alex Paysse and Allie Perline will be attending the Washington State Public Health Association
annual conference in Wenatchee October 11-13. Environmental Health manager Debbie Riley will
be attending the statewide Environmental Health Directors meeting in Leavenworth October 14-16.
Cindy Waite, Alex Paysse and Debbie Riley will be presenting to the Lower Hood Canal
Implementation Committee at their October meeting, providing an update on the onsite program in
Mason County.
Cody Lund will we attending food inspector training hosted by the Washington State Department of
Health.