Lease Approved for Bellingham Severe Weather Shelter

The Whatcom County Council has unanimously approved a lease with Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) to host a county-operated severe weather shelter (SWS) in Bellingham. The property at 925 N. Forest Street is larger than last winter’s site and...

This Veteran’s Day, Learn About PACT Act Benefits Expansion

This upcoming Veterans Day, the Whatcom County Veterans Program extends heartfelt gratitude to all veterans for their dedicated service to our nation. As part of our ongoing service to all veterans, we would like to highlight the PACT Act, which significa...

Whooping Cough Increasing in Whatcom County Residents

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is responding to a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the county. So far this month, there have been 8 confirmed cases, with five occurring since Monday (10/21). Several additional cases are pe...

Take Steps to Reduce the Risk of Avian Influenza

Whatcom County Health and Community Services advises individuals to take steps to reduce the spread of avian influenza among animals and recognize activities that put people at risk of infection.

H5N1, a type of avian flu, is a significant risk for wild an...

Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Updated 10/16/24 to to note the addition of 1,779,040 pounds of product subject to recall, and to reflect that previously recalled products were distributed to schools.B...

Shellfish Biotoxin Closure Partially Lifted in Northern Whatcom County

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin levels have dropped in shellfish in northern Whatcom County. Beaches from Sandy Point north to the Canadian border including west Lummi Island and all of Point Roberts are now closed to the harvest of butter an...

Whatcom County Health and Community Services Expands Naloxone Dispenser Program with New Locations

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is pleased to announce the expansion of its naloxone dispenser box program with three additional locations in Whatcom County. These new boxes are located at:

• East Whatcom Regional Resou...

County Moves Forward with Fentanyl Operations Plan

On October 1, 2024, Director Erika Lautenbach of Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) met with the Health Board and Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB) to provide an update on the Fentanyl Operations Plan. In response to the growing fentan...

Reminder to Reduce Rabies Risk

A bat from Whatcom County tested positive for rabies after being sent to the state public health lab. This is the first confirmed rabies specimen in the county for 2024. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is reminding everyone to take st...

Old Silvana Creamery Recalls Jim's Jerseys Raw Milk Due to Possible Health Risk

The Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) is advising residents not to consume one lot of Jim's Jerseys raw milk produced by Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington, WA, which has been voluntarily recalled due to potential contamination with Escherichi...Learn more

2024 Snapshot on Whatcom County Homelessness

Whatcom County Health and Community Services, in coordination with the Opportunity Council, has published a new comprehensive look at homelessness and housing instability in Whatcom County. This year’s comprehensive analysis uses data from the Point in Ti...

Microcystin Biotoxin Found at High Levels in Wiser Lake

Recent sampling at Wiser Lake detected microcystins, a toxin produced by algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets. Toxin levels exceed the recreational guidelines established by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State De...

Whatcom County Health and Community Services Launches New Naloxone Dispenser Program

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is proud to announce the launch of a new program aimed at combating the opioid crisis by increasing access to lifesaving naloxone, also known as Narcan, in our community. This initiative includes instal...

Free Naloxone Distribution and Education Planned for 2024 Overdose Awareness Day

Whatcom County will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day with an event from noon to 6:00 PM Friday, August 30 on the Bellingham City Hall lawn, located at 210 Lottie Street.

Staff from Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) and Emer...

Swim Safe and Stay Healthy

Don’t let bacteria spoil your summer fun! Fecal coliforms like E. coli and other harmful bacteria can sometimes be found in our lakes, rivers, and bays, especially after heavy rains or in areas with poor water circulation. When large numbers of these bact...

LEAD Program Adds Two Additional Case Managers with State Grant

The Whatcom County LEAD program will add two additional intensive case managers thanks to a $420,000 grant from the Washington State Healthcare Authority. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let Everyone Advance with Dignity program uses a national fra...

Launch of the Whatcom Community Health Insights (WCHI) Data Platform

We are excited to announce the launch of the Whatcom Community Health Insights (WCHI) data platform, which lets community members track a range of public health data specifically about people living in Whatcom County. Topics include things like education,...

Diamond Shruumz Infused Cones, Chocolate Bars, Gummies Recalled Over High Levels of Mushroom Toxin

Prophet Premium Blends has recalled all Diamond Shruumz Infused Cones, Chocolate Bars, and Gummies (Micro- and Mega/Extreme-Dose) because such products contain Muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita. These products are associated wit...

Hot Safety Tips for a Cool 4th of July

As we celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, staying safe is a priority alongside having fun. Here are a few safety tips for your outdoor barbecue, water play, or fireworks experience.

Food-Borne Illnesses 

If you’re on grill duty, rem...

Local Partnership Wins EPA Grant to Combat Climate Change, Food Insecurity

An innovative Whatcom County partnership to address climate change and reduce food waste has been awarded a $27,500 Small Communities, Big Challenges Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Sustainable...

Know Before You Dig - Molluscan Shellfish

All Whatcom County beaches are currently closed to shellfish harvesting because of unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin. 

The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational harvest for all species of mollusc...

Biotoxin Closures in all of Whatcom County

NOTICE: This message supersedes our release dated 5-23-24.

Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin have been detected in molluscan shellfish in Drayton Harbor and Bellingham Bay. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health has cl...

Whatcom County investments top $15.8 million in Children and Family Programs

Whatcom County investments top $15.8 million in Children and Family Programs; Including $3.26 million in the first four months of 2024

In the last two years, Whatcom County has invested $15.8 million to support children and families using funding from the ...

Biotoxin Closures in Northern Whatcom County

NOTICE: New information available at: https://bit.ly/3WVIYHt

Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin have been detected in molluscan shellfish in Drayton Harbor. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health has closed rec...

No restaurant closures from damaged Everson water line

The following is a joint statement issued by the City of Everson and Whatcom County Health and Community Services:

No restaurant closures from damaged Everson water line

Earlier today, damage to a city water line occurred on a dead-end line, affecting a sin...

Gibson Farms Recalls Shelled Walnuts Because of Possible Health Risk

Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) is advising residents not to consume organic walnut halves and pieces produced by Gibson Farms, and sold in supermarket bulk containers in the Western U.S. including Bellingham Community Food Co-op stores.

In ...

Third Annual Wellness Fair, a Collaboration of the Community and Local Organizations

On Saturday, May 18, the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center will transform into a healthcare center, offering community members free health, vision, hearing, dental services, and more at the Third Annual Catherine Mahaffey East Whatcom Wellness Fair!&a...

First Whatcom County Death Related to Tranquilizer Xylazine

We are deeply saddened by the first known Xylazine-related overdose death of a Whatcom County resident, a local adult. Toxicology results showed multiple drugs were present, including fentanyl and methamphetamines, in addition to Xylazine. No one should d...

Food Waste Prevention Week Starts April 1, Community Event and Helpful Tips

Wasted food is costing Whatcom County residents money. Every year the average U.S. household loses about $1500 by throwing away uneaten food. Almost 35% of food produced nationally each year goes uneaten, which wastes resources and money, and causes signi...

Updates to State COVID-19 Guidance

You may have heard that the CDC and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) have updated their guidance around COVID-19. Updated guidance is now similar for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses. Most people can re...

SNAP Recipients’ Funds Go Farther This Season with Unlimited Cost Matching

All Three Whatcom County Farmers markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Market Match will offer unlimited matches on local produce in the 2024 market season. This program is made possible through $50,000 in American Rescue Pl...

Elevated Lead Levels Found in Multiple Ground Cinnamon Products; FDA Advisory Issued

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a safety advisory for six brands of ground cinnamon that may contain lead. These products were sold by various retailers, including Supreme Tradition brand ground cinnamon sold by Dollar Tree stores in Whatco...

Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics Closed March 20 through March 29 for Scheduled Maintenance

The Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics facility will be closed from Wednesday, March 20, 2024 through Friday, March 29, 2024 for scheduled building maintenance. The facility will offer no services during this time. Operations will start again Monday, April...

PRODUCT RECALL: Italian-style Charcuterie Meats Recalled Due To Salmonella

Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) is advising residents not to consume ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa, a type of dry-cured pork, produced by Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. The meat has been recalled because...

Whatcom County Makes Historic Childcare Investments in 2023, With More Planned in 2024

As we look back on 2023, WCHCS is pleased to announce a landmark year for childcare investments.

In May 2023, Whatcom County awarded $5.8 million in funding to create 277 new slots and preserve 84 early learning slots across Whatcom County, including inves...

Annual Homeless Point-In-Time Count starts January 25, 2024

The Point in Time (PIT) Count is a survey of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January, with every community in the US counting on the same night. This year’s PIT Count night is January 25, 2024. The count helps to determine ...

Existing shelters and community partners flex to expand services during extreme weather

With temperatures on Friday night, Jan. 12, near their lowest in more than a decade, temporary nighttime winter shelters worked in tight coordination to expand capacity and transportation services, accommodating guests seeking refuge from the frigid weath...

Whatcom County Health Creates New Respiratory Virus Dashboard

Today, we debuted a new Respiratory Virus Dashboard page. Get Whatcom County data on COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), all in one place. Data comes from the North Sound Region and Whatcom County. The dashboards will update ...

Microcystin Biotoxin Below EPA Limit in Wiser Lake and Silver Lake

Recent water sampling at Wiser Lake and Silver Lake detected microcystin levels below the maximum safe level established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Whatcom County Health and Community Services has lifted the warnings for residents to avoid...

Emergency Temporary Shellfish Closure Until December 11 for Drayton Harbor Due to Heavy Rainfall

Drayton Harbor have been closed to shellfish harvest by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) due to recent heavy rainfall. An emergency temporary closure to shellfish harvest for Drayton Harbor Bay is effective December 5, 2023 until December 1...

Shellfish Biotoxin Closure lifted in Areas of Southern Whatcom County

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin levels have dropped in shellfish in areas of southern Whatcom County. Based on most recent sample results, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has lifted the closure for beaches from Chuckanut Bay s...