Island County Public Health Department

Island County Public Health Department We promote the health and well-being of our unique island communities.

We promote the health and well-being of our unique island communities.

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Winter is coming; that means inclement weather, king tides, and high winds. This post is a reminder that emergencies can...
09/01/2026

Winter is coming; that means inclement weather, king tides, and high winds. This post is a reminder that emergencies can happen at any time, and we have a responsibility to our families and community to be prepared! From natural disasters to unexpected emergencies, having a plan in place can make all the difference.

Start with small actions:
Make a family emergency kit. Don’t forget your pets!
Build a supply kit; aim for two weeks of preparation if you can.
Stay informed and sign up for local alerts.

Because of our island geography, it may take time for outside help to arrive. Being prepared helps to ensure that you can stay safe and self-sufficient when it matters the most.

Learn more and get started by visiting the county website: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/327/Public-Health-Emergency-Preparedness-Res

(https://www.facebook.com/IslandEmergencyManagement)

Respiratory virus season, which spans November through April, is just around the corner! Now’s the time to start prepari...
08/31/2026

Respiratory virus season, which spans November through April, is just around the corner!

Now’s the time to start preparing for the upcoming cold and flu season. Swipe to learn more about respiratory viruses, the importance of vaccination, and the science behind keeping our vaccines safe and effective.

Do you have questions about respiratory virus season or getting vaccinated? Visit https://www.islandcountywa.gov/1072/Immunizations

For more information about Respiratory Illness in Island County, please click here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/825/Respiratory-Illnesses
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Este es el momento de empezar a prepararse para la temporada de virus respiratorios que se avecina. Deslice el dedo para informarse más sobre los virus respiratorios, la importancia de vacunarse y los datos científicos que demuestran que las vacunas son seguras y eficaces.

¿Tiene preguntas sobre la temporada de virus respiratorios o sobre si debe vacunarse? Consulte https://www.islandcountywa.gov/1072/Immunizations

Fall storms can bring power outages and travel disruptions to Camano—and SR 532 is the island’s only land connection.Use...
08/30/2026

Fall storms can bring power outages and travel disruptions to Camano—and SR 532 is the island’s only land connection.

Use the final days of August to:

✅ Sign up for Island County myAlerts.
✅ Save Snohomish PUD’s outage number: 425-783-1001.
✅ Stock several days of water, food, medications and pet supplies.
✅ Charge battery banks and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
✅ Make a backup plan for medical devices and electric well pumps.

A little preparation now can make the next storm much easier to manage.

For more information about Island County Emergency Alerts, visit the county website today: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/464/Alerts-Warnings

Protecting community health often happens behind the scenes! 🔍✨In the first six months of 2026, our Island County Public...
08/29/2026

Protecting community health often happens behind the scenes! 🔍✨
In the first six months of 2026, our Island County Public Health team investigated 127 communicable disease cases across Whidbey and Camano Islands.

Why does this ongoing work matter?
🛡️ Stops Outbreaks: Catching and tracking illness early keeps small cases from spreading through our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

ℹ️ Connects Care: We help individuals and families get the trusted health guidance and resources they need to recover safely.

🏥 Supports Local Healthcare: By preventing large outbreaks before they start, we reduce strain on our local providers, clinics, and hospitals.

Public health works every day to keep Island County safe, healthy, and thriving! Have questions about staying healthy? Learn more at https://www.islandcountywa.gov/305/Communicable-Disease.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. While it can affect anyon...
08/27/2026

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. While it can affect anyone, it is most common, and most severe, in unvaccinated babies and young children under three.

Because it spreads easily through contaminated hands, toys, and surfaces, group settings like daycares and schools see the highest risk.

The best defense is prevention!

No Cure: Since it’s a virus, antibiotics won't work. Treatment focuses entirely on managing dehydration.
The Vaccine Works: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the oral rotavirus vaccine starting at 2 months of age.
Why it matters: The vaccine is 90% effective against severe illness and prevents up to 50,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.

Standard handwashing is great, but vaccination is the most effective shield. Speak with your pediatrician to make sure your little one is protected!

New to Island County? Here’s one local health fact that may surprise you: 72% of residents rely on groundwater for their...
08/26/2026

New to Island County? Here’s one local health fact that may surprise you: 72% of residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water.

If your home uses a private well, you are responsible for making sure the water is safe. Private well owners should test every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate. Island County also recommends testing for arsenic, chloride and conductivity.

Not sure where your water comes from? Ask your landlord, water provider or Island County Public Health.

Learn more: islandcountywa.gov/1018/Individual-Water-Systems

The Island County Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) is the longest-standing community health advisory board in Wash...
08/25/2026

The Island County Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) is the longest-standing community health advisory board in Washington State. Members are appointed and act in an advisory capacity to the Island County Board of Health.

Join us on September 3rd, 2025 on Camano Island at 121 N East Camano Drive in Conference Room 10. If you can’t join us, meetings are always available on Zoom using the information below:

Link: https://zoom.us/j/91211380080?pwd=XXHjFRFskSI5bhvNpdqFKgY3hZSWmt.1
Meeting ID: 912 1138 0080
Passcode: 934637

Meetings are held at 1:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/233/Community-Health-Advisory-Board

08/24/2026

Today (8/24): Expect Good to Moderate air quality for the remainder of the day in Island County.

Tomorrow (8/25): While neighboring counties will see Moderate to Unhealthy smoke impacts from interior fires, conditions are expected to return back to Good to Moderate by mid-afternoon as westerly winds bring in clean ocean air.

What to expect: You may see some widespread elevated haze in the sky from regional wildfires, but ground-level impacts for Island County are expected to remain minor and for a limited amount of time.

Please note that fire and smoke conditions and forecasts can change rapidly. We encourage residents to continue to check current local conditions here: https://bit.ly/3lXahMq

31 facilities licensed. 15 solid waste violations solved. Keeping waste where it belongs.In the first six months of 2026...
08/23/2026

31 facilities licensed. 15 solid waste violations solved. Keeping waste where it belongs.

In the first six months of 2026, our team licensed 31 solid waste facilities and inspected 4 of them. We also resolved 15 waste complaints and gave out 75 free disposal vouchers to help residents get rid of waste the right way.

Handling waste properly protects our land, water, and neighborhoods.

Learn more about how our solid waste program keeps our community healthy! https://www.islandcountywa.gov/217/Solid-Waste

Hey Camano, as August winds down, take a few minutes to check your private well before fall rain returns.Make sure the w...
08/22/2026

Hey Camano, as August winds down, take a few minutes to check your private well before fall rain returns.

Make sure the well cap is secure, the casing has no visible damage and runoff drains away from the well. Private well owners should also test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate, especially if its taste, color or smell has changed.

A quick check now can help protect your drinking water through the wetter months ahead.

For more information about the water quality program in Island County, please visit the county website: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/1006/Water-Quality

Address

1 NE 7th Street
Coupeville, WA
98239

Telephone

+13606785111

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