Clark County Washington

Chlamydia

The health department recently found that there has been an increase in the prevalence of chlamydia. There are 2,198 Chlamydia infections per 100,000 women aged 15-24. The most number of incidents was found in women aged 18-19.  The rise in Chlamydia in Clark County follows the general pattern of chlamydia cases for the whole state of Washington but has consistently stayed slightly lower than the state rate. In order to help with the issue there is a hotline people can call for information about testing and treatment for chlamydia. Nurses get notified from labs about chlamydia cases, they are notified about positive lab reports. Typically the cases have already been treated but if they haven’t the nurses give them a prescription. They ask questions to gain back ground data and do partner chasing so they can notify the partner that they may have been exposed to Chlamydia and offer treatment.  

Heather Sympco

RN

360) 397-8182

Breastfeeding

Clark County is actively encouraging women to breastfeed their babies. They give many reasons including bonding with baby, protection from illness, baby’s digestion, reducing allergies, growth and development, mother’s health, cost savings, and benefits to society and the environment. There are tons of local agencies that offer support including Kaiser Permanente, LaLeche League, Legacy Salmon Creek, Nursing Mothers Counsel, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, the WIC Program, and Southwest Washington Medical Center. I found out that there is now a national law that says that working women who have had children have to be given ample break time by their employers for women to pump their breast milk in a non-bathroom facility up until their child’s first birthday. The health department goes around to different business in the area to double check they are complying with this law.

360) 397-8000 ext. 7291

Elpha Durreck

Nutritionist

Whooping Cough

Washington State is seeing an increase of whooping cough cases this year. Infants are too young to receive vaccines so it is really important that everyone else in the area gets vaccinated. The Health Department is making an extra push to get people vaccinated. People need a T-DUP booster ages 11-65. It has been an epidemic. They’re hoping to see the rate of cases slow down now; there were a lot more cases this summer. Nurses get positive lab reports and call the families, the person with it, and anyone they have spent a significant amount of time. Then they offer treatment to anyone that hasn’t had treatment yet.

Heather Sympco

RN

360) 397-8182

 Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness is a public health trend that the Clark Country Washington Health Department is striving to improve.  The health department worries about reaching those who have a language barrier or are culturally or physically isolated. They have tried to combat this by providing emergency resource guides in both English and Spanish. One of the big risks that exist for Clark County is volcanoes because there are 11 volcanoes nearby including Mt. St. Helens.  They want people in the community to be trained as volunteers so they can help people if ever there was a natural disaster in the area.

Lianne Martinez

Emergency Preparedness and Response Director

(360) 397-8485

Pools and Beaches

The health department has a Water Recreation Program that inspects swimming and water recreation facilities. They test the water quality at public beaches and notify the public when conditions are unsafe. I have firsthand experience with this trend in public health because last summer when I was visiting my parents they closed down the big lake next to our house so no one could swim there; there was an ecoli outbreak in the water. The public health department realizes that their results will always reach the public after a health hazard has been in the water so they suggest swimmers always take precautions such as not swallowing water, exposing cuts or sores to water, or entering water that appears scummy.

Aaron Henderson

Environmental Health Program Director for Clark County Washington

360) 397-8428

ANNA THACKERAY