September 6, 2024

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Devil’s Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Devil’s Lake in Lincoln County. OHA issued the advisory Aug. 28.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Devil’s Lake are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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September 5, 2024

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Powder Arm of Brownlee Reservoir (Cundiff Slough)

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Powder Arm of Brownlee Reservoir (Cundiff Slough) due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human exposure. The waterbody is in Baker County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Powder Arm of Brownlee Reservoir (Cundiff Slough) and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the reservoir affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###

August 30, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for North Santiam River Aug. 30

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for the North Santiam River, from the confluence with the Little North Fork Santiam River in Mehama up to Big Cliff Reservoir.

The North Santiam River is in both Marion and Linn counties. Check the OHA Harmful Algal Bloom Advisories Map if you are unfamiliar with this portion of the North Santiam River.

OHA issued the advisory on July 16 and lifted the advisory for the North Santiam River from the confluence with the South Santiam to the mouth of the Little North Fork Santiam River in Mehama on Aug. 22.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of microcystins in the North Santiam River are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 30, 2024

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

WIC marks 50 years of bringing nutrition services to Oregon families

Program recognizes anniversary by also celebrating National Breastfeeding Month, Black Breastfeeding Week

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program turns 50 this year and is celebrating by highlighting its work bringing healthy foods, connections to community programs, breastfeeding and lactation support, and nutrition education to Oregon families.

“WIC has been helping families achieve nutrition security for 50 years,” said Oregon WIC Director Tiare Sanna, RDN. “Spending my career with a program that benefits so many is an amazing gift. I have been with WIC for 24 of its 50 years, and during that time, I have seen thousands of families receive support, I've worked with hundreds of people passionate about the work they do every day, and I've seen a program always working to be better for those it serves.”

She added that she “can only imagine the good this program will do over the next 50 years, working to grow healthy families together.”

Oregon WIC opened in April 1974 and supported 2,500 women, infants and children in five pilot programs. Last year, more than 114,000 participants in 36 Oregon counties were served through local health departments, nonprofits, Native American Tribal organizations, migrant health centers and a Head Start Program.

Oregon WIC has evolved over 50 years and has:

• Improved access with technology offering online nutrition education, virtual appointment options, an online sign-up form and texting capabilities.
• Enhanced the shopping experience by offering an eWIC card to buy food and phone app that tracks the food benefit balance.
• Increased access to local produce and supported hundreds of farmers through the Farm Direct Nutrition Program.
• Expanded healthy food options that include whole grains, vegan alternatives such as tofu, dairy alternatives, and fruits and vegetables.

Oregon WIC will further expand its food package next spring. This will help advance health equity and add flexibility and access to more culturally appropriate foods, fruits and vegetables.

“Increasing the fruit and vegetable benefit and appeal of the WIC food package, while maintaining its nutrition integrity, is paramount to the success of the program,” Sanna said.

Alexia Roy-Miller, former WIC participant and current WIC public health educator, recalled that when her daughter was young, Roy-Miller went to WIC for help to stretch her food budget.

“We were met with such genuine care and compassion, and I learned so much about the importance of nutrition,” Roy-Miller said. “My experiences with WIC inspired me to become a lactation consultant to help support other families like mine.”

This month, WIC recognizes decades of supporting families during National Breastfeeding Month. Oregon WIC is a leader in lactation support.

In 2023 in Oregon:

• 96% of WIC moms start out breastfeeding.
• 36% of WIC babies are exclusively breastfed at age 6 months, which is higher than the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We meet our families where they are with their infant feeding goals. We provide encouragement and information so those we serve can make informed decisions that work best for their families,” says Korina Skaff, WIC breastfeeding coordinator. Seventy-one percent of WIC families are working families. WIC supported an Oregon law allowing lactating employees rest periods for expression of milk in the workplace.

In addition to serving more than 83,000 infants and children last year, WIC supports dads, grandparents, foster parents, or legal guardians that have kids younger than 5. The program offers state-of-the-art health and nutrition support through personal counseling and group education.

WIC is for pregnant people and children under 5. If you qualify for SNAP or Oregon Health Plan, you may qualify for WIC. Visit healthoregon.org/wic to learn more or to find a WIC clinic near you.

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August 29, 2024

Media Contacts:

• Jonathan Modie, OHA, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
• Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Health & Human Services, phillitf@jacksoncountyor.gov

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes found in Jackson County

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Jackson County Vector Control and Jackson County Public Health Division have confirmed the identification of Aedes aegypti (Ae. Aegypti) mosquitoes in the county – the first time the mosquito species has been found in Oregon.

Jackson County Vector Control identified the Ae. aegypti mosquito as part of its routine mosquito surveillance, which monitors different mosquito populations in the county and tests for diseases such as West Nile virus and Western equine encephalitis that are common to the Culex mosquito genus. Mosquito surveillance provides Jackson County Vector Control the ability to determine human risk and implement strategies to control these insects and prevent disease spread.

Adult Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are relatively small and have a black-and-white pattern due to the presence of white/silver scale patches against a black background on the legs and other parts of the body. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes most likely originated in Africa. Since then, the species has been transported globally throughout tropical and subtropical regions, and parts of the temperate world, through global trade and shipping activities. Ae. aegypti cannot fly far, only about 500 feet. These mosquitoes prefer warm and wet weather, and to live in or near homes or in neighboring woods. Changes in climate are allowing Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to expand their range to the western United States. 

“Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are a concern in the United States because they can carry and transmit various diseases that can have serious health consequences such as Zika virus, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever,” said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., state public health veterinarian based at OHA’s Public Health Division.

These viruses spread to humans through the bite of an infected Ae. aegypti mosquito. The mosquitoes become infected when they bite and feed on someone who is infected with the virus. These mosquitos primarily feed in the daytime and prefer to feed on humans.

“The risk of these infections to local residents is low and depends on the presence or arrival of someone who is currently infected with one of these diseases after infection outside the U.S.,” DeBess said. He added there have been no reports of anyone having acquired viruses from Ae. aegypti mosquitoes within Oregon.

John Mahan, M.D., chief medical officer of Jackson County Health & Human Services, said, “Jackson County Vector Control and Jackson County Public Health are working closely with OHA and vector-borne disease specialists regarding control of these mosquitoes and risk-reduction approaches.”

Invasive Ae. aegypti mosquitoes need only a quarter inch of water to complete their life cycle. The key to preventing these mosquitoes from becoming an established vector in Jackson County will be to eliminate standing water, even small amounts, and moisture from yards and gardens. Common mosquito breeding sources include flowerpot saucers, tires, kiddie pools, rooted plants in water, containers/buckets, and pet water bowls.

“Many prevention methods that work for other types of mosquitoes apply to Aedes aegypti,” said Geoff Taylor, manager of Jackson County Vector Control.

Those methods include:

• Dumping or draining any standing water around the home.
• Removing containers or objects that can hold water from your yard, such as water saucers from under plants, old tires, tarps, buckets, containers, toys, and other equipment.
• Repairing leaky outdoor faucets.
• Keeping rain gutters cleared.
• Covering, screening, or removing rain barrels, trashcans, bins, buckets, or tubs.
• Wearing mosquito repellent outside. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, some lemon eucalyptus, and para-menthane-diol products are most effective at preventing mosquito bites.
• Sleeping under a mosquito net when outside or in a room without screens.

“Discovery of Aedes aegypti underscores the importance of our mosquito trapping system," DeBess said. “Tracking and monitoring the types of mosquitoes that exist in Oregon communities is critical. This, in turn, helps us identify potential public health implications and implement measures to reduce risk.”

For more information:

• Aedes aegypti, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/life-cycle-of-aedes-mosquitoes.html
• Potential range of Aedes mosquitoes, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/php/toolkit/potential-range-of-aedes.html
• Aedes aegypti in California: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx
• Jackson County Vector Control District: https://jcvcd.org/
• JCVCD’s Aedes aegypti page: https://jcvcd.org/mosquito/aedes-aegypti/

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August 29, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Devil’s Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a preemptive recreational use health advisory today for Devil’s Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom. The lake is in Lincoln County.

The decision to issue the preemptive advisory is based on multiple reports from partner agencies and members of the public. Results of testing in the days to come will either confirm the advisory or allow us to lift.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Devil’s Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 26, 2024

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge
amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov
503-931-9586

Oregon State Hospital receives CMS statement of deficiencies

(Salem, OR)_Oregon State Hospital (OSH) has received a statement of deficiencies from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), following a survey that was prompted by a patient death in May 2024. Surveyors also reviewed a second patient death that occurred in Nov. 2023. 

The deficiencies identified in the report relate to continuous rounds and viability checks; patient monitoring; screening of visitors; supervision of patient visits with family and friends; and quality of incident investigation and response. OSH has 10 calendar days to respond with a Plan of Correction (PoC). 

“We have been entrusted with the care of some of Oregon’s most vulnerable residents. Their safety and well-being are our top priority,” said Interim Superintendent and Chief Medical Officer, Sara Walker, M.D. “We will continue to make the changes necessary to protect our patients.” 

Once CMS approves the PoC, they will conduct another unannounced survey to review implementation. OSH is expecting an unannounced verification survey encompassing four separate PoCs before a termination date of Oct. 24, 2024. 

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August 22, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory modified for North Santiam River Aug. 22

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted part of the recreational use health advisory issued July 16 for the North Santiam River – from the confluence with the South Santiam River up to the mouth of the Little North Fork Santiam River in Mehama.

The North Santiam River is in Marion and Linn counties. Check the OHA Harmful Algal Bloom Advisories map if you are unfamiliar with this portion of the North Santiam River.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of microcystins in the lower North Santiam River is below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 22, 2024 

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov  

Measure 110 shows overall client gains with some exceptions   

SALEM, Ore.— Measure 110 service providers reported continued increases in client engagement in all areas since the establishment of the statewide networks, excluding slight declines in client counts during the sixth quarter of reporting, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 30, 2023.

The largest gains in client numbers between the fifth and sixth quarter were in supported employment and housing services (29 percent and 10 percent),respectively.

Over the same time, screening services dropped by 23 percent. However, screening services have registered overall gains of 346 percent since the inception of the Measure 110 networks.

The remaining service categories remained relatively stable.  

Modest fluctuations in client counts are expected as the statewide networks near full capacity. 

Overall, however, Measure 110 providers reported a pattern of strong demand over the 18 months Behavioral Health Resource Networks have been in existence. Measure 110 providers have now reported six quarters of data and expenditures since July 1, 2022, when the first network was established.  

Over those 18 months, supported employment services reported a 573 percent increase in client growth. Housing services has realized gains of 317 percent and peer supported services showed a 256 percent increase.

Black and African American client counts have steadily increased over the past four quarters. Over that time, the data show that people reporting as American Indian or Alaska Native had the highest rates of any race/ethnicity group in accessing Measure 110 substance use treatment programs.

Measure 110 network providers report the number of clients they serve and the number of encounters they have with their clients as a measure of overall engagement. Some clients may receive multiple services within a network or within multiple service networks. 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) maintains a comprehensive Measure 110 data reporting dashboard that includes quarterly data, expenditures, key demographic information, and aggregated narrative summaries for the 42 statewide service networks. 

The deadline for the next round of reporting for expenditure and program data is in October and will cover the time from April 1 through June 30. OHA expects to publish that data in December.  

To learn more, visit OHA’s Measure 110 webpage. 

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August 21, 2023

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA publishes final health consultation report for J.H. Baxter site

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP) at Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has published a final health consultation report for the J.H. Baxter & Co. site in Eugene.

The health consultation report outlines OHA’s analysis of community health risks related to industrial pollution caused by J.H. Baxter, a now-closed wood treatment facility in Eugene. The final draft of the report is available here.

The final health consultation incorporates comments received from 13 community members, collected from March to June 2023. All public comments are available here.

OHA evaluated all comments and responded to common themes. The responses can be found in Appendix E of the document. Some comments resulted in changes to final conclusions and recommendations.

Based on public comment, OHA:

• Revised Conclusion 2 to describe the residential area near J.H. Baxter impacted by contamination in more detail.
• Added a new Conclusion 3 stating what agencies do and do not know about the extent of contamination in residential yards.
• Added information about contamination at the Trainsong Park site (including a website link to a separate report).
• Added a new Appendix F providing an evaluation of dioxin exposure through breathing air contaminated from Baxter.
• Strengthened recommendations about washing home-grown produce before eating.
• Added new sampling data that were not available when OHA released the draft version of the report. For example, new environmental data published in 2023 showed that a total of 11 residential yards had dioxin levels above 40 parts per trillion (ppt), four more than what was reported in the public comment draft.

OHA will continue working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as these agencies remove contamination from the J.H. Baxter property and perform more sampling in the affected residential area. OHA may evaluate additional public health risks if samples are taken from new areas where people could come into contact with them.

EPA believes the J.H. Baxter site is eligible for inclusion on the National Priority List for contaminated site cleanup, also known as the Superfund site list. As part of that process, EPA requested – and, in July 2024, Gov. Tina Kotek agreed – that the federal agency list the site.

For more information, visit EHAP’s J.H. Baxter page.

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August 21, 2024

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov  

Measure 110 issues new grant application under streamlined process 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oversight Accountability Council (OAC), which governs Measure 110, is soliciting applications for a new round of four-year grants – drawing from an estimated $400 million in statewide cannabis tax revenues.  

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has unveiled a new application that will speed up application review and give the OAC better information when deciding to fund applications.  

The changes include:

• Requiring more specificity on how potential grantees will use their Measure 110 funding.
• Requiring applicants to apply as a single entity – the previous application allowed providers to apply as part of a network – resulting in greater accountability of a provider’s ability to fulfill the grant requirements prior to receiving the funds.
• More transparency showing each provider how their application will be scored – something that was not available in the initial application process.

 The changes also include shortening and clarifying the grant applications, examining past performance of current Measure 110 grantees, and specifying the requirement(s) for Measure 110-funded services and service providers.

Under HB 2513 (2023), OHA is taking a more active role to issue and score grant applications. OHA is anticipating a high volume of applications and is ready to begin reviewing applications this fall to ensure the timely delivery of new funding.

The new funding will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

The deadline for applying is Oct. 4. The application is here.

All questions from prospective applicants about the RFGA and related documents should go through the established single-point-of-contact, Karissa Montano.  

Any answers given by someone other than Karissa are considered unofficial and non-binding and may result in the application rejection.

Contact can be made through: Karissa Montano 

Address: 635 Capitol St NE, Suite 350 

City, State, Zip: Salem, OR 97301

Phone (voice) (503) 509-3584

E-mail: Karissa.Montano@odhsoha.oregon.gov 

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August 19, 2024

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, erica.j.heartquist@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Willow Creek Reservoir Aug. 19

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Willow Creek Reservoir due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human and animal exposure. The reservoir is in Morrow County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Willow Creek Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the reservoir affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 16, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Lake Billy Chinook, Lake Simtustus Aug. 16

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus in Jefferson County.

OHA issued the advisory on Aug. 8.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus are below recreational guideline values for people and dogs. Additional satellite monitoring confirms a decrease in bloom intensity over the course of the last week (Appendix A), which is attributed to the recent decreases in temperature we have observed in the region.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Appendix A

Figure 1: Decrease in cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom severity; (left) August 6, 2024, (right) August 16, 2024.

August 16, 2024

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA seeks public comment on changes to state’s crisis care guidance

Tool helps hospitals, providers make decisions about care during emergencies

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is seeking input from the public on changes to the state’s crisis care guidance, a tool that helps hospitals and health care providers make decisions about life-saving treatments during an emergency based on available resources.

“Oregon learned a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic. OHA continues to prepare for future emergencies based on what we have learned. One of those lessons is the importance of being prepared in case many people need health care at the same time,” said Dana Hargunani, M.D., M.P.H., OHA health policy adviser and the agency’s former chief medical officer.

In emergencies, health care equipment, places and staff may be limited, and it may be necessary to change how health care is provided. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, hospitals had to use new spaces, such as medical tents, for clinical care.

OHA seeks input from people with diverse views and experiences across Oregon. The agency will consider this feedback before finalizing and publishing the 2024 updated guidance, which is expected by October.

Public comment on the draft guidance is open through Sept. 13 and can be provided in multiple ways. To learn more about how to provide comment, visit the Crisis Care Guidance website, oregon.gov/crisiscareguidance,  or email health.security@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Among the opportunities to provide comment on the draft guidance are three public meetings OHA has scheduled later this month. The meetings will be held virtually for the following stakeholder groups:

• Community-based organizations, Aug. 22, 3:30-5 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Community. Meeting details here.
• Health care providers, Aug. 27, 7:30-9 a.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Providers. Meeting details here.
• General public, Aug. 28, 4:30-6 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Public. Meeting details here.

Agendas for the public meeting are available at oregon.gov/crisiscareguidance.

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August 13, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Cottonwood Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Cottonwood Reservoir in Harney County. OHA issued the advisory Aug. 1.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Cottonwood Reservoir are below recreational guideline values for people and animals.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people – and especially small children and pets – should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 13, 2024 

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Opioid Settlement Board directs $1.25 million to substance use disorder treatment infrastructure in Redmond 

State Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission recommended allocation; OHA will administer 

PORTLAND, Ore. – A $1.25 million allocation by the Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board (Settlement Board) will expand and strengthen Central Oregon’s access to substance use disorder treatment and services through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and jails. 

The allocation, which Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will administer, will improve access to medication for opioid use disorder and treatment services by providing up to $1,25 million to fund an opioid treatment program or a mobile or non-mobile medication unit in Redmond to serve a geographic region with increasing need. To be eligible for the funding, a mobile or non-mobile medication unit or an opioid treatment program must be currently certified by OHA.  

The board’s decision can be viewed in a recording of its August 7 meeting here.  

“People in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties must currently go to Bend for opioid treatment program services, and drive times between Bend and Redmond are rapidly increasing due to the area being the fastest-growing region in the state,” said State Opioid Treatment Authority and Settlement Board member John McIlveen. “Opening a medication unit in Redmond will significantly decrease travel times for patients, which is one of the main predictors for people both entering into, and remaining in, treatment.” 

Prior to awarding funding, OHA must provide a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the board for approval no later than Sept. 1.  

Since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies for their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over 18 years. Settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are divided between the state (45%) and local jurisdictions (55%). The state’s share is deposited as it becomes available into the Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Fund, which is controlled by the OSPTR Board.  

Local jurisdictions receiving settlement funds (those with populations greater than 10,000) decide how their funds are used. Cities and counties are required to report to the Oregon Department of Justice annually how they allocated funds. 

For state and local spending details, read the Oregon Opioid Settlement Spending Report. To learn more about Oregon’s opioid settlement funds, visit oregon.gov/opioidsettlement. 

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