Recreational Water Illness Swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans are all potential sources of water recreation illness. Recreational water illnesses typically affect a person's stomach and intestines, skin, or respiratory system. If you think you have a recreational water illness that needs medical attention, contact your health care provider. Report suspected … [Read more...]
Tick Season
Ticks are small blood-feeding parasites that can transmit diseases to people. Some types of ticks perch on the edge of low-lying vegetation and grab onto animals, and people, as they brush past. Other ticks are associated with rodents and their nests and may only come out at night to feed. Once aboard, ticks crawl until they find a good spot to feed, then burrow their … [Read more...]
Hantavirus
What is Hantavirus? Hantavirus is a virus carried by some rodents. In Washington State, deer mice are the only animals known to carry it and it is estimated that about 14% of the deer mouse population is infected. Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). You can get HPS by breathing in hantavirus. This can happen when rodent … [Read more...]
OSS Application Process
Beginning Immediately: GCHD can no longer accept septic applications for properties under Grant County’s authority without first applying for a Grant County building permit. Please note, that this process change does not apply to most septic system repairs. A letter to septic professionals… Visit the Onsite Septic page for more information. … [Read more...]
Foodborne Illnesses
Foodborne illness Often called “food poisoning” or “stomach flu”— can cause symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and fever. It can take several hours to several days to become sick after eating the contaminated food, which is why it is not always the last thing you ate. Try to think of everything you ate in the past 3 days and if anyone else … [Read more...]