Clallam County Health and Human Services - Public Health

06/18/2026

Lake Pleasant Swimmer's Itch Advisory, June 18th, 2026

What is Swimmers’ Itch?
Swimmer's itch(cercarial dermatitis) isatemporary skin rashcaused bymicroscopic parasites found in some lakes and ponds. Symptoms typically appear within hours of swimming and may include:
Raised, itchy, red bumps or small blisters
Tingling, burning, or itching of the skin
Symptoms that generally resolve on their own within 5–7 days

The parasites are carried by waterfowl such as ducks and geese and spend part of their life cycle in aquatic snails. Humans are not suitable hosts. Although the parasites may briefly pe*****te the outer layer of the skin, they cannot survive in the human body and quickly die. The resulting immune response causes the itchy rash known as swimmer's itch.

Swimmer's itch is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.

Read the advisory for prevention and treatment.

Contact a health provider if symptoms become severe.

06/18/2026

The BEACH Program monitors the safety of marine swimming beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Check the status of your beach.

Learn more about the program here: https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/saltwater/beach-program

Or go directly to a map: https://gis.ecology.wa.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e32edf4767184fd88e4ce2aa367ffd5c

06/18/2026

All Health and Human Services offices will be closed this Friday, June 19th in honor of Juneteenth.

06/17/2026

*NOTICE*
Infant formula recalled because of link to infant botulism cases, including in Washington

For immediate release: June 16, 2026 (26-049) Contact: DOH Communications

06/17/2026

With Juneteenth on Friday, Water Lab is closed for water samples Thursday & Friday.

06/09/2026

Life Jackets Save Lives — and They're Required by Law in Washington

Before heading out on the water this summer, make sure everyone is wearing the right life jacket.

In Washington State:
🦺 Children 12 years old and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever they are underway in a boat less than 19 feet long (unless they are inside a fully enclosed area).
🛶 Every vessel—including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards—must have a properly fitted life jacket available for every person on board.
🚤 Anyone riding on a personal watercraft (such as a Jet Ski) or being towed behind a boat must wear a life jacket.

Not having required life jackets on board or failing to follow boating safety laws can result in citations and fines.

Most boating fatalities happen suddenly and unexpectedly. A life jacket only works if you're wearing it.

Wear it. Zip it. Buckle it. Enjoy the water safely.

https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/wear-life-jacket

05/29/2026

For more information about this closure, call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1.800.562.5632, or visit the Department of Health’s Marine Biotoxin Website at www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm

For additional information call the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 360.236.3354.

These health-related closures are in addition to closures regulated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Fish and Wildlife closures can be found on their website:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/beach_names.php

Their emergency regulation hotline is 1.866.880.5431

05/22/2026

Have a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!

05/22/2026

Taking care of your health can be accessible, confidential, and easy.

Public Health is now offering:
• Free at-home HIV test kits
• Free at-home Hepatitis C test kits
• Free glucometers and A1C readers for blood sugar monitoring

These resources are available to help support early detection, prevention, and ongoing health management in our community.

No judgment. No cost. Just tools to help you stay informed about your health. Contact Clallam County Public Health to learn how to access these free resources, 360-417-2274 or stop by our offices at 111 East 3rd St. in Port Angeles or 140 C St. in Forks.

05/21/2026

Open Hours on Fridays, 9am - 11am with Clallam County Food Safety Staff. Stop by and get your questions answered on the first floor, Room 130.

Keep your cookouts safe and delicious with a few food safety tips!

A few perennial reminders:
• Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat
• Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods
• Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked safely
• Don’t reuse plates or utensils that held raw meat
• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if it’s very hot outside)

Safe grilling helps prevent foodborne illness so everyone can enjoy summer gatherings safely.