Public Health News
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recycler program is offering a series of free composting and green cleaning workshops this fall.
The composting workshops will teach people how to set up successful composting operations at home, highlighting different composting methods. The green cleaning workshop will teach participants how to make environmentally friendly alternatives to cleaning solvents that contain hazardous chemicals.
Pre-registration is required for all workshops and space is limited. To register for workshops, visit the… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health’s Green Neighbors program is turning 7 this year, and the public is invited to help celebrate!
Green Neighbors is throwing a birthday party 2-4 pm Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Register to attend the free party on the Green Neighbors website.
Party attendees can enjoy sweet treats while learning about native bees. Guest speaker Jennifer Snyder will explain how to be good… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed two new cases of severe lung disease linked to vaping in Spokane County. The Spokane Regional Health District reported the new confirmed cases as a patient in their teens and a patient in their twenties.
There are now three confirmed cases in Washington. All three confirmed cases reported vaping prior to illness, but a specific product, device, or additive common to all three has not yet been identified. Investigations into these cases are ongoing.
Vaping devices — also known as JUULs, e-cigarettes… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has downgraded its advisory at Vancouver Lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.
The warning signs at the lake will be replaced with caution signs, which will remain in place as long as the blooms are present. Public Health will continue to monitor Vancouver Lake throughout the summer and, as long as blooms are present, take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. Signs will… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health and its partners in the Healthy Columbia Willamette Collaborative recently released the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment. The assessment highlights community health needs across the Portland-metro area, including Clark County and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon.
Clark County Public Health will use findings from the assessment to demonstrate community need when applying for grants and identify areas of emphasis for… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has upgraded its advisory at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake.
Public Health has been monitoring blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at Vancouver Lake since June 12.
Results from water samples taken from Vancouver Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. The caution signs at the lake are being… Read More
Clark County Public Health has downgraded the advisory at Vancouver Lake and lifted the closure of the swim beach. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have dissipated at the swim beach and the flushing channel near the swim beach. The bloom at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet is still present.
Public Health has had Vancouver Lake under advisory since June 12, when staff first detected blue-green algae blooms at the lake. The lake will be downgraded to a caution advisory and remain under advisory as long as blooms are present.
As long as algae are present,… Read More
The swim beach at Vancouver Lake will remain closed at least through the weekend after new test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.
Clark County Public Health has been monitoring cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae, at Vancouver Lake since June 12. Public Health closed the swim beach on July 24 after test results revealed cyanotoxins above recommended threshold levels.
Results from water samples collected Monday show that cyanotoxins remain above threshold levels. As a result, the swim beach closure will remain in place. Public… Read More
Elevated E. coli bacteria detected in Vancouver Lake; swim beach currently closed due to cyanotoxins
Routine water quality testing at Vancouver Lake this week revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The swim beach at the lake is currently closed due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.
The Vancouver Lake swim beach will remain closed until tests show cyanotoxins and E. coli bacteria levels do not exceed thresholds. Closure signs are currently posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake.
Clark County Public Health continues to advise against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water… Read More