Alarming Rise In Congenital Syphilis: Screening And Prevention Urged (Photo) -03/19/25

(Astoria, OR) – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has reported a 2,150% increase in congenital syphilis cases over the past decade, with the crisis now reaching rural and frontier counties. In response, the Clatsop County Public Health Department, Providence Seaside Hospital and CMH are working together to encourage syphilis screening during pregnancy and starting the conversation about expanded treatment access.  

Congenital syphilis is a serious condition that occurs when a pregnant person with untreated syphilis passes the infection to their baby during pregnancy or childbirth. This can lead to serious health complications.  

“The key to stopping this is simple—early screening and treatment. Unfortunately, many cases happen because people miss out on prenatal care,” said Dr. Thomas Duncan, Health Officer for Clatsop County Public Health. “By raising awareness and making screening more accessible, we can protect both parents and babies from this entirely preventable disease."  

Key Facts About Syphilis in Pregnancy:  

• Syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death, serious birth defects and long-term complications like blindness, deafness, and serious neurological developmental delays.  

• Universal screening at the first prenatal visit, third trimester, and at birth is recommended.  

• 75% of congenital syphilis cases in Oregon are linked to missed prenatal care opportunities.  

• Testing and treatment are available in Clatsop County through local clinics, Providence Seaside Hospital and CMH.  

“The good news is that syphilis is treatable, and congenital syphilis is very preventable if caught in time,” said Dr. Dominique Greco, Family Medicine Obstetrics physician at Providence Seaside Hospital. “We want every pregnant person to have access to the care they need and to support them in their pregnancy journey. So, please call to schedule an appointment early in pregnancy and partner with your provider to get the recommended screenings.” 

What you can do: 

• Are you pregnant? Get tested on your first doctor visit, during your third trimester, and at the hospital when you are having your baby.   

• Are you a provider: Make syphilis screening a standard part of everyone’s care. Early diagnosis saves lives.  

• Are you a community member? Help reduce stigma around STI testing by making it part of a conversation.  

To schedule a screening, call Clatsop County Public Health 503-325-8500. For more information about congenital syphilis visit https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/about-congenital-syphilis.html  

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Clatsop County Sees Surge In Overdose Deaths (Photo) -03/18/25

Public awareness efforts will help reduce stigma and prevent overdoses. New technology will provide rapid results to help identify the cause of overdose deaths and track drug trends.

(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County is facing a devastating rise in drug-related deaths, with 11 suspected overdose fatalities in just the first six weeks of 2025—approaching the total annual numbers recorded only a few years ago. If this trend continues, overdose deaths in the county could increase by more than 400% over last year.

Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44 claiming 107,941 lives nationally in 2022. In Oregon, drug overdoses have been increasing since 2018. In 2023, 1,833 people died of a drug overdose, according to Oregon Health Authority. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and non-cocaine stimulants, such as methamphetamine, are the main drug involved in fatal overdoses.

A Preventable Tragedy

While the exact reason for the increase in drug-related deaths is not definitive, fentanyl plays a significant role. Many street drugs are now laced with fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdoses.

“These overdoses are a tragedy for the families who have lost a loved one, and for the rest of the community who have lost a coworker, friend, or neighbor. Overdose is preventable,” said Lisa Schuyler, Health Promotion Supervisor with the Clatsop County Department of Public Health.  “The more we reduce stigma, increase awareness, and equip our community with life-saving tools, the more lives we can save.”

Clatsop County is taking a multi-faceted approach to address these overdoses in our community by working with partners to raise awareness and offer support to those experiencing substance use disorder. The deflection program, medication assisted treatment in the Clatsop County Jail, and Public Health’s overdose prevention and harm reduction programs work to break the deadly cycle of substance use disorder and help people find another path.

Schuyler works with regional and state partners to lower overdose rates through prevention activities including handing out Naloxone.

A Data-Driven Approach to Overdose Prevention

Toxicology results after an overdose can take up to six months to get back from the state lab. Thanks to Elizabeth DeVisser Clatsop County’s Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator and the Clatsop County Public Health Department who worked together to purchase the Randox Multistat Toxicology Analyzer, presumptive results will be available much sooner.

The user-friendly analyzer involves just three steps and can detect up to 29 classical, prescription, and synthetic drugs from a single sample, delivering on-site results in approximately 30 minutes. This will help accelerate toxicology results for death investigations and provide much-needed answers to grieving families.

“This new technology will provide rapid results, allowing us to detect trends in real-time,” said DeVisser. "While also providing answers to families when their loved ones are affected by overdose."

Carry Naloxone

Community members are encouraged to learn how to use naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

• Get trained – Public Health offers naloxone training for individuals, groups, and businesses. You can also go online to Save Lives Oregon for an online training video
• Carry naloxone – It’s available at pharmacies and through Clatsop County Public Health Department.
• Add it to your first aid kit – Be prepared to save a life.

For more information on how to get trained and how to get Naloxone, contact Clatsop County Public Health at 503-325-8500.

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Communities Active In Disaster (COAD) Kick-Off Event: Get Involved In Emergency Preparedness (Photo) -03/12/25

(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County residents are invited to take part in an important new effort to strengthen community resilience and preparedness. The first meeting of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) will be held on Sunday, March 23, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 725 33rd Street, Astoria.

What is COAD?

COAD is a collaborative effort to unite local organizations, businesses, and individuals to improve disaster response and recovery efforts. This initiative is being launched because Clatsop County does not currently have a COAD and having one will enhance the community’s ability to respond effectively to disasters.

“Prepared communities are resilient communities,” said Jen Munson, Clatsop County Community Engagement Coordinator. “And the most resilient communities have long-standing COADs, which play an essential role in ensuring effective disaster response, supporting vulnerable populations, and addressing critical needs quickly and efficiently.”

The kick-off meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to:

• Learn about emergency preparedness at the neighborhood level
• Understand local community needs and recovery resources
• Discover ways to contribute to a coordinated disaster response

This event is open to anyone in the community who is interested in playing a role in emergency preparedness and response. Whether you're looking to get involved, are part of an organization that serves the community, or simply want to learn more, your participation is welcome and encouraged. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Let’s get prepared—together!

Applications Sought For Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee (Photo) -03/10/25

(Astoria, OR) - Clatsop County invites applications from individuals interested in serving on one open seat on the Clatsop County Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee. 

The Board of Clatsop County Commissioners created the Clatsop County Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee to assist the County in the development of long-range plans for County parks and to direct the formulation and preparation of amendments to Clatsop County’s Recreational Lands Element of the Comprehensive Plan. 

In addition, the Committee advises County staff regarding the County’s update of its Parks Master Plan and provides a public forum for citizen input regarding proposed changes that potentially impact parks, recreational lands, trails, boat ramps and related programs within the county.

The Board of Clatsop County Commissioners may use the County Recreational Lands Planning Committee as a primary public review body for any County actions related to recreation issues such as:

• Potential county land sales, trades or exchanges involving county park lands or lands adjoining county park properties
• Potential county timber sales involving county park lands or lands adjoining county park properties
• Land acquisitions
• Major improvement proposals, and
• Annual budget proposals 

The Recreation Lands Planning Advisory Committee regularly meets in Astoria on the last Thursday of each month at 1 p.m.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025. Applications are available online or at the County Manager’s Office, at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103.

For more information about this committee’s meetings or responsibilities, contact Corey Johnson at 503-741-0767.

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Clatsop County Launches Survey On Carnahan Park Boating Facilities Redevelopment (Photo) -03/10/25

(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County is seeking public input on expanding and improving the boating facilities at Carnahan County Park. 

The survey asks how the public uses the boating facility, their thoughts on its current condition, and what improvements they would like to see. It takes approximately three minutes to complete. 

Visitors can access the survey using the QR code posted at the park, and the survey link available on the County’s website, clatsopcounty.gov, and social media pages. 

Survey responses will remain anonymous and help guide future planning decisions, as well as support grant applications to the Oregon State Marine Board. 

To ensure a broad range of feedback, the survey will be open for one year. 

Carnahan County Park, located on the northwest shore of Cullaby Lake, spans 31.4 acres and offers picnic tables and trails for public use. A day-use fee of $5 per vehicle is collected from May through September, with annual passes available for purchase. 

For more information, visit clatsopcounty.gov. 

Applications Sought For The Clatsop County Fair Board (Photo) -03/06/25

(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County is seeking applicants for an opening on the Clatsop Country Fair Board.

The Fair Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month and is responsible for the management of the Clatsop County Fair & Expo and organizes the annual fair.

The position is for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Applications are available online or at the County Manager’s Office, at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103.

The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025. The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will make the appointments at a future meeting.

For more information go to clatsopcounty.gov.

Clatsop County Sells North Coast Business Park, Marking A New Chapter For Economic Growth (Photo) -02/28/25

(Astoria, OR)­­­ -- This week marks a historic milestone for Clatsop County as ownership of the North Coast Business Park officially transfers to private hands. Approximately 130 acres of buildable, vacant land, now owned by North Coast Industrial, LLC, are no longer County owned public land but are now private land where all development will be in accordance with City of Warrenton development code.

The sale of the North Coast Business Park, which is located near Highway 101, north of SE Ensign Lane and intersected by SE 19th Street, opens the door for new businesses, more jobs, and economic growth that will benefit local workers, businesses, and the entire community.

"This achievement is the result of years of collaboration and dedication from County departments and community partners," said Board Chair, Mark Kujala. "We look forward to watching this land be developed and become a valuable asset, not just to the economy of the City of Warrenton, but Clatsop County as a whole."

The County's involvement with the property dates back decades, and its transition to private ownership marks a major step forward for industrial and commercial development, bringing new investment and expanded opportunities to the region.

For more information, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.

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Emergency Preparedness Workshop: Water Planning For Disasters (Photo) -02/26/25

(Astoria, OR) - Clatsop County Emergency Management is hosting a hands-on Emergency Preparedness Workshop focused on meeting water needs during disasters. Learn how to plan, sanitize, and store water safely for long-term use.

What you will learn: 

• Water Needs Planning: Determining how much water is required for drinking, hygiene, and sanitation. 

• Sanitizing Methods: Practical demonstrations of filtration, purification, and distillation. 

• Water Storage: Best practices for safe, long-term storage. 

This free interactive workshop will provide valuable skills to prepare for water challenges in any emergency. Open to all ages, it includes hands-on activities and expert guidance. 

When: March 15, 2025, 10 a.m. - Noon 
Where: Wickiup Water District 92648 Svensen Market Rd, Astoria, OR 97103 
Who: Open to all ages! 

For more information, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.
 

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Clatsop County Public Health To Gather Community Input On Tobacco, Alcohol, And Retail Environments (Photo) -02/21/25

(Astoria, OR) -- Clatsop County Public Health will be participating in the Tobacco & Alcohol Retail Assessment (TARA) now through June 2025.  

TARA is a statewide effort, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, to collect information on tobacco, alcohol, and other health-related topics in retail spaces that will help improve the health and well-being of the community. 

"We look forward to working with our local retailers to do this assessment," said Carolina Guerrero Lara, Clatsop County Health Promotion Specialist. "It will provide valuable insight into how our community is exposed to these retail products, especially our youth."

Clatsop County public health staff will visit approximately 50 retail spaces that are open to people of all ages to review prices and advertising. The reviewer may ask employees a few questions but will be mindful not to disrupt customers or store operations. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Store names and locations will not be shared. 

Why are we doing this assessment?  

Understanding the types of products and how they appear in retail settings is important for understanding and improving the health of the community. 

"The retail environment around us can affect our choices, including choices that might harm our health down the road," said Guerrero Lara. "When we have a better understanding of how products are marketed in our community, we can do a better job answering questions for our community members and policymakers and create programs that combat some of the negative effects of advertising."

Results from TARA will be available later in 2025. 

For more information about the data collection process or to learn how to participate, please contact Clatsop County Public Health at ClatsopCounty.gov.

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