Cowlitz County HHS reports rise in inspections, birth‑certificate demand and pertussis cases
February 24, 2026 | Cowlitz County, Washington
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Carol Harrison, representing Health and Human Services, delivered the department's quarterly update to the Cowlitz County meeting, reporting higher inspection activity, changes in vital records demand and disease reporting.
Harrison said environmental health staff at the 9th Avenue campus conducted 984 restaurant inspections in 2025, a marked increase from 2024 that she attributed in part to restored staffing and training. She added the department inspected about 300 temporary food vendors at fairs and festivals in 2025, up from the prior year.
On permitting, staff explained temporary permits typically cover single events or a limited set of repeat events (a permit can allow up to four events) and that the standard inspection practice is generally once per permit rather than at every appearance.
Harrison reported 14 animal rabies tests in 2025 compared with 10 in 2024, and said one positive test contributed to increased public awareness. She also said the department performed 33 public water recreation inspections in 2025 (pools, spas, spray parks) versus 13 the year before and inspected 24 campgrounds in 2025 (the count excludes mobile home parks).
On permitting and development, the department issued 356 septic permits in 2025 (new and replacement systems), roughly in line with 353 in 2024, and inspected three public water systems in 2025 compared with two in 2024. Harrison described environmental health's role reviewing water sources and sewage disposal as part of building‑permit reviews to ensure potable water and appropriate septic sizing.
Harrison said the department processed 1,365 death records in 2025 and saw about 3,000 additional birth‑certificate issuances compared with the prior year, a change she linked to residents obtaining documents for Real ID requirements. On notifiable conditions, she noted 70 pertussis (whooping cough) cases were reported in 2024 after none in 2023, and cautioned that cases such as tuberculosis require extensive follow‑up by public‑health staff.
The presentation closed with Harrison explaining solid waste complaints rose to 64 new complaints in 2025 from 42 in 2024; she said part of the complaint response work is supported by a grant from the Department of Ecology. The department opened for questions; the board thanked Harrison and then moved to the next agenda item.
The meeting recorded the earlier motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes as carried unanimously (no roll call recorded).
Harrison said environmental health staff at the 9th Avenue campus conducted 984 restaurant inspections in 2025, a marked increase from 2024 that she attributed in part to restored staffing and training. She added the department inspected about 300 temporary food vendors at fairs and festivals in 2025, up from the prior year.
On permitting, staff explained temporary permits typically cover single events or a limited set of repeat events (a permit can allow up to four events) and that the standard inspection practice is generally once per permit rather than at every appearance.
Harrison reported 14 animal rabies tests in 2025 compared with 10 in 2024, and said one positive test contributed to increased public awareness. She also said the department performed 33 public water recreation inspections in 2025 (pools, spas, spray parks) versus 13 the year before and inspected 24 campgrounds in 2025 (the count excludes mobile home parks).
On permitting and development, the department issued 356 septic permits in 2025 (new and replacement systems), roughly in line with 353 in 2024, and inspected three public water systems in 2025 compared with two in 2024. Harrison described environmental health's role reviewing water sources and sewage disposal as part of building‑permit reviews to ensure potable water and appropriate septic sizing.
Harrison said the department processed 1,365 death records in 2025 and saw about 3,000 additional birth‑certificate issuances compared with the prior year, a change she linked to residents obtaining documents for Real ID requirements. On notifiable conditions, she noted 70 pertussis (whooping cough) cases were reported in 2024 after none in 2023, and cautioned that cases such as tuberculosis require extensive follow‑up by public‑health staff.
The presentation closed with Harrison explaining solid waste complaints rose to 64 new complaints in 2025 from 42 in 2024; she said part of the complaint response work is supported by a grant from the Department of Ecology. The department opened for questions; the board thanked Harrison and then moved to the next agenda item.
The meeting recorded the earlier motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes as carried unanimously (no roll call recorded).
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