Community Health E-Newsletter
Issue 3 | May 2025
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Staff News
- BCDHE welcomes a new Department Director, Jay Gardiner.
- Deputy Director Erika Woods recognized for 20 years of service to local rabies task force.
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Recreational beach monitoring begins this month. What this means and how it affects you.
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Cape Cod Summer 2025 is around the corner; enjoy the sun (and more) safely!
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Thanks to funding from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and the American Rescue Plan Act, tick testing costs are reduced.
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On March 28, 2025, over 65 participants attended a hybrid tabletop exercise addressing a hypothetical measles outbreak on the Cape and Islands.
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Need an MMR Vaccine? Our Public Health Immunization Program has you covered.
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Food truck inspections help ensure safe food practices while simplifying the process for vendors operating at festivals, events, and seasonal gatherings.
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A monthly flyer inspired by health awareness themes!
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Barnstable County’s Recreational Beach Monitoring Program Begins this Month! | |
As Cape Cod’s much anticipated beach season gets underway, Barnstable County’s Department of Health and Environment is preparing to monitor the region’s marine and freshwater beaches—just as we’ve done for more than 30 years. Our goal? Ensuring residents and visitors can enjoy the Cape’s waters safely, all summer long.
But this year, there are also a few emerging environmental health considerations beachgoers should be aware of. Here’s what to know for 2025.
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Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment Welcomes New Director
Barnstable County proudly announces the appointment of James G. Gardiner as the new Director of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment (BCDHE). Mr. Gardiner officially began his tenure on March 3, 2025. With decades of experience in public health and human services, he brings a proven track record in leadership, strategic planning, and community health advocacy, ensuring the continued strength and innovation of the region’s public health programs.
Read More
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At last week's meeting of the Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force (CCSMRTF), Erika Woods, Deputy Director of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, was presented with an award for 20 years of dedicated service to the program. Pictured left to right: Brian Bjorklund, Assistant District Supervisor, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, Erika Woods, Deputy Director, BCDHE, Zak Mertz, CEO, New England Wildlife Centers, Karl von Hone, retired Director of the Yarmouth Department of Natural Resources & Founding Task Force Member, Ryan Bevilacqua, Wildlife Biologist, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, Alexis Sigillo, Rabies Wildlife Technician, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services.
The Cape Cod Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) Program, which began in 1994 under the CCSMRTF, is praised as one of the longest running, increasingly successful projects to control rabies in the country.
| | Public Health Nursing Division: Enjoy the Summer Sun Safely! | |
Winter is officially behind us and the warmer, sunnier days of the long-anticipated Cape Cod summer are finally within reach. Bring on the sun, sandy feet, home-grown veggie gardens, the distant hum of lawnmowers and the smell of fresh cut grass, back-yard barbeques, kettle pond dips, wave chasing, bike riding, boating, and beach bumming. That is what a Cape Cod summer is all about. But while we soak up every last minute of the high season in our paradisical peninsula, there are some safety reminders that always bear repeating.
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| | | FREE Tick Testing for Cape Cod Residents | |
Thanks to funding from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and the American Rescue Plan Act, tick testing costs are reduced in 2025.
Each test screens for various tick-borne diseases, including Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Powassan Virus, and others. The diseases tested for depend on the level of testing you choose. *Special pricing is available for a limited time until the funds are fully expended.
Learn More
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County Plans and Leads Measles Response Tabletop Exercise
Participants in this exercise, which included public health officials from the Cape and Islands Health Agent’s Coalition (HAC), Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) and other health agencies in Massachusetts, were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which a healthcare worker returns from international travel and unknowingly introduces measles to multiple long-term care facilities in Barnstable County. Due to unknown vaccination status and delayed diagnosis, secondary infections occur among staff and residents, leading to an outbreak.
Exercise play was limited to discussion-based scenarios focusing on epidemiological response, vaccination needs, public communication, resource coordination, and health equity.
Learn More
| | Upcoming MMR Vaccine Clinics | | The Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Division, in collaboration with the Shared Services Division and the towns of Orleans, Eastham, Dennis, and Mashpee, is coordinating Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine clinics for anyone who is unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or has unknown vaccine status. | |
Insect Shield®: Permethrin Treated Apparel to Protect You and Your Family from Ticks
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Insect Shield® permethrin treated clothing offers built-in bug protection. It’s EPA-registered and approved for use by the whole family, without restrictions. Get long-lasting protection from mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects that can carry dangerous diseases.
The best thing about Insect Shield®? You can have your own favorite clothing treated with permethrin! Like all Insect Shield apparel, the repellency added to your clothes is invisible and lasts through approximately 70 washings.
Use discount code: CAPECOD2025
Disclaimer: Mention of specific brands, products, or services—such as Insect Shield’s® clothing treatment—is provided for informational purposes only to illustrate available options for personal protection. Barnstable County does not endorse or receive compensation from any commercial entity and encourages individuals to explore multiple resources when considering insect repellent products.
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Regional Annual Mobile Food Inspections: A Shared Services Success
The Public Health Shared Services Division at the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment continues to strengthen regional capacity through coordinated initiatives.
This season, the County has conducted 14 mobile food inspections as part of a streamlined, regional program supporting food safety in the towns of Chatham, Sandwich, Mashpee, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, and Wellfleet. By offering a single annual inspection for mobile food vendors, this program helps ensure safe food practices while simplifying the process for vendors operating at festivals, events, and seasonal gatherings.
It’s important to note that while Barnstable County conducts the annual inspection, vendors are still responsible for applying for food service permits through each individual town where they operate. Permitting requirements vary by town, and vendors must ensure all documentation is submitted as required.
If you operate in towns outside this program, you must obtain your inspection directly through that town’s health department. Please reach out to those departments directly for their specific requirements and procedures.
Questions about the inspection process or permitting requirements can be directed to the Public Health Shared Services team at (774) 223-7827 or katie.oneill@capecod.gov.
We look forward to supporting a safe and successful season for all!
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How to Have a Food Safe Summer
Foodborne illnesses tend to increase during the summer months because bacteria multiply faster when it’s warm. People also cook outside, away from refrigerators, thermometers, and sinks more often. Stay healthy and safe by following these food safety guidelines from FoodSafety.gov:
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Wicked Wellness is a monthly flyer inspired by relevant health awareness themes. Each edition discusses an important health topic, with helpful exercise tips and simple yet delicious recipes using local, in-season ingredients.
Our January issue focuses on healthy weight awareness. Check it out!
Interested in viewing previous issues of Wicked Wellness? Visit our webpage!
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