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Health staff report negative bat test, well-water nitrate testing approved and first local certified food manager course
Summary
Marquette County health staff reported a negative bat rabies test, said their well-water laboratory is cleared to begin nitrate sampling and described the first local certified food manager course offered this year.
Jessica, an environmental and communicable-disease staff member, gave the department's program update and fielded questions from board members.
On rabies, Jessica said the department handled multiple bite-quarantine follow-ups in May and that a bat found in a bedroom was submitted for testing and returned a negative result: "Thankfully, it was negative," she said. She explained options for accelerating lab testing (rush requests) and noted prophylactic treatment timing depends on clinicians' recommendations.
On environmental health, Jessica reported two housing abatement orders (County Road E and Fern Road) were closed after property cleanups, and that the DNR had returned four minor SOP language issues for the department's well-water laboratory. After edits and resubmission, she said the lab was approved the day before to begin nitrate sampling and the department will publicize the local testing option.
Jessica also summarized training activities: the department ran a mobile-food inspection training, presented food-safety material to a high-school culinary class and offered a locally hosted certified food manager course (opened to 20, 17 attended) to reduce travel burdens for operators who otherwise must go to larger cities for certification.
Board members asked clarifying questions about rabies testing turnaround, quarantine options and how camper-residency complaints are handled; Jessica explained quarantine logistics, coordination with zoning and that condemnation can occur if potable water or sanitary sewer access is lacking.
