Community Trends - Whatcom County

Cameron Haas

Health 100

Stephanie Fugal

I was able to talk with Tom Kunesh, R.S., an environmental health specialist of the Whatcom County Health Department in Washington State.

1.      1.  Recently the number one health concern of Whatcom County has been the prevalence of paralytic fish poisoning (PSP). Shellfish harvesting is common on the coastal town of Bellingham and up till the border of Canada. Due to the high levels of PSP and DSP (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning) biotoxins, various parks have been closed to the harvesting of these mulluscan shellfish. As of November, 1 the levels have dropped and closures have been repealed. PSP can be life-threatening and symptoms can develop within hours of consumption, and the biotoxins cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.

2.     2.  There have been a few reported cases of Pertussis (whooping cough) against middle school aged children. Those who have possibly come in contact with the bacteria have been given antibacterial treatment. The general population is strongly encouraged to receive the vaccination. Recognizable symptoms include cold-like symptoms, and 1 to 2 weeks after exposure, severe coughing. Young infants and school age children are currently at highest risk for contracting the disease.

3.    3.    Around this time each year, the flu becomes a major concern for the health care department. Because much of the population believes in alternation and holistic medicine, necessary vaccinations are often foregone. There has been a steady increase in recent years in the number to vaccinations that have been given. This is most likely correlated with the media coverage of several outbreaks. The Health Department provides instruction in effective ways of preventing contagion of the influenza virus.

4.    4.    In a college town, STDs are constantly being monitored and the spread thereof is continuously assessed. In Whatcom County there has been relatively low number of cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia compared to the rest of the state. The biggest issue, in terms of STDs, is with Syphilis. Overall, the reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis have been on a sharp increase in the last 2 years.  Awareness among the specific college population through media has been shown to be effective and will hopefully deter the causative behavior.

5.      5.  Foodborne illnesses have been on the rise, specifically campylobacteriosis. Cases reported in 2010 increased 30% over recent years (five-year average 1031 cases/year). In 2010, 1,315 cases were reported (19.5 cases/100,000 population) with 142 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. This is the highest rate since the 1990s when rates were running as high or higher. There were no common source outbreaks reported. Proper hand washing and hygiene practices are being instituted in public restroom facilities and food handling at restaurants is being monitored specifically for improper practices.