When the numbers of fecal coliform bacteria are high, the bay is closed to assure that contaminated shellfish are not marketed.

The state health agency’s Shellfish Program says this closure shows there’s more work to do to correct the pollution problems that have affected Samish Bay.

Samish Bay is currently classified as “Conditionally Approved,” because it is periodically closed due to fecal pollution when the Samish River rises quickly.

Samish Bay - Washington State Department of Ecology

The Shellfish Program will continue to collect and test water samples, and will reopen shellfish harvests when results improve. Past closures have lasted a few days.

Local and state agencies, residents, and volunteers have been working for three years to eliminate the temporary closures of Samish Bay. That would lead state health officials to change the classification to “Approved.”

State health officials say the bay could be upgraded to “Approved” if there is only one pollution closure between March 1 and June 30.

Another closure this spring would confirm that more work needs to be done to identify and correct pollution problems.

Skagit County, Skagit Conservation District, the Departments of Ecology and Agriculture, residents and volunteers are continuing to identify pollution problems and get them fixed.

This is a significant jump in overdose deaths associated with heroin use, health officials said.

In 2011, for example, there were a total number of heroin overdose deaths in the first  six months of the year was 32, they noted.

The seven who likely died from overdose were from areas across King County, ranged in age from 17-61 years of age, and included both experienced and inexperienced users.

Because of this sudden increase in deaths, health officials are issuing a public alert about the overdose danger and are working with partners to analyze the heroin and identify possible reasons for the sudden increase in deaths.

“The best way for injection drug users to prevent overdose is not to use heroin, but for those who do, they need to be aware of the overdose risks,” said Dr. Charissa Fotinos, Medical Director for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Advice to heroin users from Public Health – Seattle & King County

Key ways to reduce the risk of overdose

• Never inject when you’re alone

• If you got heroin from someone new or it looks different, use less.

• Don’t use heroin in combination with other “downers” such as benzodiazepines (i.e. benzos), alcohol or prescription-type opiates such as OxyContin or methadone. It is also dangerous to use with stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine.

If someone is with a person who is overdosing on heroin, they can help by immediately calling 911.

The Washington state Good Samaritan law took effect in 2010 and provides immunity from criminal charges of drug possession for both the witness and the person experiencing the overdose.

The new law also expands access to Narcan (generic name naloxone), an opiate antagonist that reverses the effect of overdose from heroin and other opiates.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has recently initiated a Narcan program at its Downtown Seattle needle exchange to dispense Narcan to heroin users and train them on how to use it in an emergency.

For more information on the Good Samaritan law, see http://stopoverdose.org/index.html

Public Health is also working with community partners to alert members of the public who use heroin that there appears to be an increased risk of death from using heroin currently being sold.

Electron micrograph norovirus virions, or virus particles/CDC

Washington state health officials have determined that the bug that sickened hundreds of attendees of a state high school cheerleading event — causing severe bouts of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea — was the norovirus, the ‘stomach flu” virus that is often the cause of such outbreaks on cruise ships.

The infection is easily contracted through person-to-person contact, through contaminated food or water, and by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.

So far, Washington state officials have obtained reports of 229 cases linked to Feb. 4th cheerleading event in Everett organized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

An estimated 3,000 people attended and more than 1,000 participated in the cheer, dance and drill competition.

At least 33 of those who haven fallen ill sought medical care though none have required to be hospitalized overnight, health officials said.

The number of cases is expected to grow as state health officials receive answers from surveys that were sent to participants and families.

Symptoms of norovirus infections typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and may include headaches, stomach cramps, and fever as well.

There is no specific drug or vaccine for norovirus infections. Rehydration to replace fluids lost due to vomiting and diarrhea is key. In some cases, fluids must be given intravenously.

Cleaning contaminated clothing and surfaces and frequent hand washing can help prevent spread of disease.

For more information see below.

Key Facts About Norovirus from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Norovirus Illness: Key Facts

Norovirus—the stomach bug

• Norovirus is a highly contagious illness caused by infection with a virus called norovirus. It is often called by other names, such as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and food poisoning.

• Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines); the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

• Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime.

• Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.

Norovirus illness can be serious

• Norovirus can make people feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day.

• Most people get better within 1 to 2 days.

• Dehydration can be a problem among some people with norovirus infection, especially the very young, the elderly, and people with other illnesses.

Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads rapidly

• Noroviruses are highly contagious, and outbreaks are common due to the ease of transmission.

• People with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days and perhaps for as long as 2 weeks after recovery, making control of this disease even more difficult.

• Norovirus can spread rapidly in closed environments like daycare centers and nursing homes

Many sources for norovirus infection

Noroviruses are found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People can become infected by

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.

• Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth.

• Having direct contact with an infected person; for example, by exposure to the virus when caring for or when sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils with an infected person.

Tips to prevent the spread of norovirus

Practice proper hand hygiene: Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and always before eating or preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 62% ethanol) may be a helpful addition to hand washing, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water. See “Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.”

Take care in the kitchen: Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

Do not prepare food while infected: People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces: After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a solution made by adding 5–25 tablespoons of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.

Wash laundry thoroughly: Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle soiled items carefully—without agitating them—to avoid spreading virus. They should be laundered with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dried.

No specific treatment or vaccine for norovirus infection

• There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection, although this is an area of active research.

• There is no specific drug to treat people with norovirus illness.

• Rehydration is important for infected people—they must drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, fluid may need to be given intravenously.

 

An estimated 3,000 people attended and more than 1,000 participated in the cheer, dance and drill competitions sponsored by Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

The illnesses may be caused by several viruses and bacteria that may come from a wide variety of sources, health officials said

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and may also include headaches, stomach cramps, and fever.

Good personal hygiene including frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of disease, officials said.

The cause and specific disease are still under investigation, officials said, people who attended the event and have severe symptoms are advised to contact a health care provider.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you. Carbon monoxide gas comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood.

Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide:

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents

• Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or carports

• Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue.

If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor’s home. The Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to re-enter the home.

For a full list of carbon monoxide prevention tips and other safety and disaster information in English and other languages, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/disaster

If you have a power outage, use safe ways to stay warm:

• Find places where you can go to get warm, such as the home of friends and family whose homes have power. Many cities have opened centers where people can go during the day to stay warm. Center locations can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare

• Wear several layers of light weight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear hats, mittens, and blankets indoors.

• Close curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets. Everyone should try to stay together in one room, with the door closed, to keep in body heat.

• Check on elderly friends, family, and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

• Watch your footing on surfaces that may be icy and slick, and wear shoes that provide traction.

• Be careful not to overexert yourself when shoveling snow, especially if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, as the cold weather puts extra strain on your heart.

• Do not sled on streets or on slopes near streets, ponds, or streams.

• Avoid driving if you can. If you must drive, allow safe stopping times and distances.

• Warn others about carbon monoxide poisoning. Share the information with neighbors, friends, family and community groups.

• Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are elderly or if you think their power might be out.

• If you know someone who has lost electricity, invite them to your home to stay warm.

If power goes out where you live, keep food safe:

• Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.

• If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.

• Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Throw away foods that spoil easily (such as meat and fish) if they warm up above 41º F.

• Frozen foods that remain frozen are OK to eat. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed (such as meat and fish), but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, use them as soon as possible. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed and are warmer than 41º F, throw them away.