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The board elected Justin Paulsen as chair and Jane Fuller as vice chair. The council was briefed about committees the board has seats on. Mark Tompkins will attend the Accountable Communities of Health partner and board meetings next week.

County Health Officer Dr. Duber briefed the council on respiratory illnesses. Covid cases this winter are much lower than in the last two years. Flu cases are higher this year running at about 5% of emergency room admissions in the region. RSV cases have been rising. Covid vaccine uptake is much lower this year. Flu vaccinations are down but to a much lesser extent; there is a growing divergence in vaccination rates based on a political dichotomy. Dr. Duber said even when vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing illness, they reduce severity and mortality, which are still good reasons to get vaccinated.

Dr. Duber said there are serious outbreaks of avian flu in both wild birds and domestic poultry, and in dairy cattle. Avian flu, which is quite deadly to birds, can infect animals including pets, cattle and swine. While humans can be infected by avian flu, it does not pass easily from person to person. However, swine flu, which infects mainly pigs, can pass both to and between humans, and when pigs get avian flu they become possible incubators for an avian flu version that can pass between people. Avian flu outbreaks are currently problems for the agriculture sector and wildlife. The risk to people is low, but the possibility that a version of avian flu evolves that could be highly infectious among humans is a major global risk and is being monitored closely by health professionals. For now, people should report dead birds wild or domestic to the county and should not touch the dead birds.

The Health and Human Services director briefed the board on his department’s structure and programs which include senior services, mental health, child nutrition and housing, as well as traditional public health services like restaurant inspections, sewer design approvals, and safe water. As rule they do not provide direct health services, except in cases where they are filling in service gaps such as vaccines for children and the uninsured. The department will launch a strategic planning and team building process over the next six months to integrate new staff and chart a future direction for the department.

Mark Tompkins updated the board on the search for a new health officer. Whatcom county has hired a new health officer, and Mark Tompkins is meeting with Whatcom county staff on January 17 to discuss a work-sharing agreement. He hopes to have the name of the doctor for the County Council to appoint as the new Health Officer soon and they will draw up an interlocal agreement and/or a contract for the position.

*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.

LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes: Board of Health Janu