The Cecil County Board of Health met in the County Commissioner’s Board Room 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, June 1, 2004.  The following members of the Board were present:

Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Vice President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
William C. Manlove, Commissioner
Mark H. Guns, Commissioner
Dr. Virginia Bailey

Constituting a full Board.

Dr. Bailey presented the Communicable Disease Report reflecting all communicable diseases reported to the Cecil County Health Department for the years 1996 through 2003.  The leading communicable disease statistics were for animal bites.  Out of the 301 animal bites reported last year, 23 people were treated for rabies exposure.  Sixteen animals tested positive for rabies.

The Bathing Beach Sampling Program Update was presented to the Board.  As a further expansion of the effort initiated last year through the Federal BEACH Act, beach monitoring will be prioritized for potential health risk based on several factors including the level of use, possible sources of pollution and previous water quality date.  Beaches are designated as high, medium or low priority.

The Cecil County Health Department will be conducting the Annual Rabies Vaccinations Clinics, at various locations throughout the County in the months of June and October.

On or about June 15, 2004 the Cecil County 2004 Community Health Survey will be mailed to randomly to residents in the County.  Dr. Bailey stressed the importance of returning the surveys to enable the Health Department to identify Cecil County’s community health needs.