Welcome!Jefferson County Public Health provides essential programs and services to help protect and improve the health of our community. We are always working to make Jefferson County, Washington, a safer and healthier place to live, work and play.
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Facts
In Washington State, influenza like illness has been declining since the last part of May. Jefferson County appears to be following this same pattern. Due to new ongoing H1N1 Flu transmission in other countries around the world the World Health Organization has increased the pandemic alert level to Phase 6. In the U.S., local, state and federal health agencies will continue to do the work that has been ongoing in monitoring and responding to this virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted the following information: On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway. WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus and the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.
West Nile Virus:
new on-line reporting tool to help track dead birds
Another season of monitoring begins across the state
OLYMPIA, June 10, 2009 - Mosquito season is here, bringing increased risk of West Nile virus. The Department of Health has a new online dead bird reporting system to help track this disease.
This new tool makes it easier than ever for people to let health officials know when they find a dead bird. Testing mosquitoes and dead birds is one of the ways we track the virus in our state. Information provided online automatically goes to state and local health agencies. There are pictures of birds online so people can easily identify the bird they’ve found.
“It’s important to track West Nile virus so we can keep people informed and they can take steps to prevent getting sick,” said Gregg Grunenfelder, assistant secretary for the state health department’s Environmental Health division. “This new system helps identify where West Nile activity is in our state. It also lends a hand to counties where resources are limited.
”More information on West Nile virus prevention and control is on the state health department’s Web site. Regular updates are available by calling the toll-free West Nile virus information line, 1-866-78-VIRUS.
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