CURRENT TOPICS

Spotlight on Bats

The United States is home to more than 40 varieties of bats. They eat insects harmful to agriculture, including night flying beetles and moths. However, some bats may be infected by and transmit the rabies virus. Most of the recent human rabies cases in the United States have been caused by rabies viruses associated with bats. Potential exposures to bats do occur, sometimes requiring individuals to undergo rabies post-exposure treatment, i.e., rabies vaccinations.

Keep in mind that more than 11 million children and adults engage in camp experiences each year in the United States. Few will ever be exposed to a rabies-suspect animal or need medical intervention due to a potential exposure while camping. In the United States, there have been NO human rabies deaths occurring as a result of a bat exposure in a camp setting.

Awareness of the facts about bats and rabies can help protect yourself and your campers. This information may also promote a better understanding of bats, their contributions to the environment and what you can do to safeguard against bat-transmitted disease.

The links below provide interesting and helpful information for spending time outside during the warmer Spring and Summer months.

Bats, Rabies and Summer Camps - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats.html

Bats In Houses/ Bat Exclusion - Department of Natural Resources

http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bats/batsinhome.asp

(Courtesy of the CDC)

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

On December 19, 2008, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect. This law, first approved by Congress and signed by then President Bush in December 2007, provides new stricter guidelines for swimming pool and spa entrapment hazards and protective barriers. The law requires that all public pools and spas in operation as of the effective date be in compliance. Moving forward, any new construction will need to meet these requirements. Owners of residential pools are strongly encouraged to implement these changes as well. The Howard County Health Department, State of Maryland, along with pool contractors and professionals, are all working to address the design and technical challenges to achieve compliance and ensure that all licensed county pools remain as safe as possible moving forward. We encourage all concerned to become familiar with the new requirements and regulations. You may visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov, or contact our office for further details and updates. A copy of the Act can be found here. A press release by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals about the Act can be found here.

Please click on the links below for more information about these environmental health issues:

West Nile Virus

Lead

Mercury

Revised Food Service Facility Regulations

In July 2008, Howard County passed a resolution (ENR CR66-2008) to update existing regulations for food service facilities. Changes in the Howard County food regulations became necessary after both the FDA and State of Maryland updated their food codes. The resolution provides updated definitions used in the regulations. In addition, a previous requirement to have staff at food facilities complete a certified food manager program was expanded to now require trained staff to be present at moderate and high risk facilities during all operating hours.

In addition to the resolution, a corresponding change to the County Health Code was made to update references to the food regulations and food handling provisions. The resolution became effective on July 7, 2008, but several clauses in the resolution do not take effect until September 1, 2008.

To view, or save a copy of the regulations you can click on the following link:

Bill No. 48-2008
(http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/ENRCB48-2008.pdf)

Resolution No. 66-2008 (http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/ENRCR66-2008.pdf)

(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Radionulcides & Your Well Water

Click here for Radium Information - A Homeowner's Guide
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

For assistance with the following services, please call 410-313-1773 or toll free at 1-866-313-6300.