It’s a fact of life that everyone gets sick at some point in their life. However, some illnesses are more worrisome than others because of their potential to harm large numbers of people. The Lewis County Public Health & Social Services (LCPHSS) communicable disease program exists to help protect Lewis County residents by working to prevent the spread of such diseases.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) designates more than 100 diseases as capable of causing widespread harm to the public’s health. They are known as “notifiable conditions.” A complete list can be found online at https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions.
Every healthcare provider and laboratory is required by law to report any occurrence of a notifiable condition to their local public health department. Under this system, LCPHSS receives 25-30 such notifications every week from hospitals, laboratories, healthcare providers, veterinarians and water systems.
When a notifiable condition report is received, staff contacts the source of the report to get initial information on what was found that caused them to report the notifiable condition. We then contact the individual who is experiencing the condition. An interview is conducted using a specific questionnaire provided by DOH. We’re looking for information to connect an event or lifestyle that may have led to the illness and may possibly lead to others becoming ill.
We ask questions about the possible source of the disease, recent travel, related recent illnesses, potential for the illness having been spread to family, co-workers, schoolmates, or other close contacts, along with other data. This helps us determine if this is an isolated illness, something seasonal that is “going around,” or something potentially dangerous to the health of the public. These interviews are conducted completely for the public’s protection.
Results from the interviews guide our next moves. If no public health threat is perceived, the investigation is closed. If threats are revealed, we have a variety of resolutions available. We may form a team with our Environmental Health staff to further investigate and mitigate an illness originating in a restaurant or water system. We may ask people who are sick to limit their movements to reduce the chance of spreading the illness. This could mean staying home from work or school, or even limiting close contact with other family members at home.
The communicable disease program is conducted under the legal authority granted by Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 70.05, Local Health Departments, Boards, Officers – Regulations. Under this authority, our Lewis County Health Officer, Rachel Wood, M.D., MPH., oversees disease investigations by designated staff. Notifiable condition investigations are closely coordinated with Dr. Wood and LCPHSS leadership, especially when determining the potential for a public health threat and actions to be taken based on the disease and patient interview data.
The most commonly reported notifiable conditions we currently see in Lewis County are:
Campylobacteriosis – a bacterial disease passed from animals to humans through mishandling or inadequate cooking of meat;
Salmonella — another bacterial disease found in dairy, eggs, and poultry that has not been handled or cooked properly;
Pertussis — a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The best way to prevent pertussis (whooping cough) among babies, children, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. Also, keep babies and other people at high risk for pertussis complications away from infected people.
Influenza — weekly hospital reports and school absentee rates confirm it is flu season now. One type that is being seen is H1N1, which is one of the flu types in this year’s flu vaccine. If you have not received a flu shot yet, you should get one. Also, wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when you are sick.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases – there has been a significant increase in gonorrhea cases across all age groups and locations throughout Lewis County; and across the state. The best way for diagnosed individuals to prevent spread is to get their partner treated. Free treatment may be available through the DOH Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) program. For more information about EPT, call LCPHSS @ 360-740-1222.
Hepatitis C – a viral infection that is the most commonly reported notifiable condition now in Lewis County. While there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C yet, treatment is now available for people who have it.
The LCPHSS communicable disease program’s goal is to promote the best possible health for everyone living in Lewis County. For more information about communicable diseases in Lewis County and how to make choices that improve health for yourself and the overall community, contact Donna Muller at 360-740-1222 or Donna.Muller@lewiscountywa.gov. Follow Public Health on Twitter: @LCPHSS.
