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County medical officer nominates Medford and Ashland wastewater plants for Community Partner Award
Summary
Dr. John Mahan proposed nominating two local wastewater facilities for a Community Partner Award for voluntary wastewater testing that helps detect circulating illnesses; he said OSU tests samples weekly for Covid, RSV, influenza and measles.
Dr. John Mahan, Chief Medical Officer for Jackson County Health and Human Services, asked the Board to nominate the City of Medford Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the City of Ashland Wastewater Treatment Section for a Community Partner Award, citing their voluntary wastewater sampling program that informs local disease surveillance.
Mahan noted that state wastewater testing recently detected traces of measles and said samples are collected weekly and sent to Oregon State University for analysis. He told the Board that "OSU currently tests for Covid, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles." Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether participation is voluntary or linked to licensing or funding; Mahan agreed to confirm the connection to licensing or funding prior to proceeding with any special recognition.
Commissioner Dyer thanked Mahan and Brubaker for the nomination; no formal award or vote occurred during the work session.
