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Rabies is a serious disease that is caused by a virus. Each year, it kills more than 50,000 people and millions of animals around the world. Any mammal (raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, and cats) can get rabies. Cattle, horses and humans can also get rabies. Animals that are not mammals such as birds, snakes, and fish do not get rabies.
All dogs, cats, and ferrets reported to have bitten any person are quarantined by the Local Health Department for ten (10) days for observation. This is done at either the animal owner’s home or a local animal clinic. Some general signs of rabies in animals are as follows:
DO NOT SHOOT OR DAMAGE THE ANIMAL'S HEAD IF IT HAS BITTEN SOMEONE!
Dogs, cats, and ferrets, which stay well during the ten-day period, are released. Those animals which become sick are humanely euthanized and tested at the State Rabies Laboratory.
All non-domesticated or “wild animals” must immediately be humanely euthanized and tested at the State Rabies Laboratory. Domesticated farm animals are evaluated on a case by case basis.
*Note: Head of animal must be unaltered in order for laboratory to test.
Depending on the severity of the bite, call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room.
Take a description of the animal
If possible, without endangering yourself, confine the animal so it can be quarantined.
If euthanized, DO NOT DO ANYTHING WHICH WOULD DAMAGE THE ANIMAL’S HEAD! THE HEAD MUST BE INTACT FOR TESTING.
Call the Local Health Department to begin investigation of the incident.
Rabies vaccines are approved for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep and ferrets. Proper and up to date vaccination of your pets is the first line of defense against rabies. Animal rabies vaccines should be administered only by, or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
The Graves County Health Department works with local vet clinics to offer rabies vaccines at mobile clinics throughout the county at a reduced rate. These mobile clinics are usually offered during the early summer; please call your veterinarian's office for details. Check back here for a schedule or check your local convenience store for fliers.
4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention.
Since the anthrax attacks in the United States in 2001, progress has been made to prepare government medical communities, the media, volunteer groups and first responders. Graves County Health Department is prepared to deal with a crisis of a catastrophic nature, whether that is a dangerous infectious disease, a widespread power outage or a terrorist attack.
The Preparedness Team at the Graves County Health Department works in cooperation with local emergency response agencies and the State Department for Public Health to develop plans and procedures to prevent and limit health effects resulting from catastrophic events. Our team includes a planning coordinator, regional epidemiologist and a regional training coordinator.
Flood Recovery - Mold in your Home PDF
The health department maintains plans and procedures necessary to conduct its essential functions under any potential circumstance.
The epidemiologist monitors incidence of infectious disease and works to prevent outbreaks.
The Regional Training Coordinator develops and coordinates training that enhances area response readiness to public health emergencies.
Kentucky TRAIN Learning System
The mission of the Kentucky Region One Medical Reserve Corps is to provide support medically and non-medically during emergencies, disasters, and public health practice initiatives.
MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers-medical professionals and others-who want to donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources.
The Kentucky Region One Medical Reserve Corps was established July 2, 2004. The Kentucky Region One Medical Reserve Corps recruits and trains medical and non-medical volunteers. Medically, this would include current or retired physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, nurses, and others with relevant skills. ANYONE can volunteer.
Volunteers must complete a minimal amount of training along with a background check and a Worker’s Compensation Enrollment Form.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Medicare Supplement Disaster Preparedness
Local Health Department Listing
Food Safety Branch and Other Links
WKCTC - 270-534-3335 Food Safety Manager Course - Click on "All Other Counties"
Food Handlers Course - Click on "Graves County"
Food Allergens Course - Click on "Graves County"
Alcohol Server Course - Click on "Graves County"
The Kentucky Department for Public Health develops statewide retail food program plans, objectives, policies and procedures. Environmentalists from the helps local health departments carry out the food protection program in Kentucky.
Certified evaluation officers trained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provide training, consultation and guidance to local health departments. Local health departments are authorized to carry out the food safety program in the counties and districts they serve.
For more information, please contact Shea Rodgers at the Graves County Health Department at shea.rodgers@graveshealth.org or (270) 247-3553.
ALL TEMPORARY FOOD VENDORS MUST HAVE A PERMIT TO OPERATE.
Foods may be prepared and served in conjunction with gatherings or events such as fairs and festivals. Food items and methods of preparation may be restricted during these temporary events. All temporary food vendors must have a permit from the local health department prior to commencing operations. These permits are valid, if the establishment complies with regulations, for up to 14 days at one location. For more information and applications, please contact your local county health department.
Access the latest information on all food recalls at www.recalls.gov/food.html.
The Graves County Health Department conducts regular inspections of all establishments serving food and assigns a rating based on how well the establishment adheres to health codes.
You can view the ratings here.
The West Nile Virus first appeared in the United States in 1999. West Nile is found in the Eastern part of the United States and is also found in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The Virus has been found to be fatal in some cases if the person was elderly or had a compromised immune system. A person of average health that contracts West Nile may experience flu-like symptoms.
During Summer months the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will spray your property for free. Please call the Graves County Health Department to add your name and address to the spray list. Please only add your information, your neighbors must call for themselves.
Please contact the Graves County Health Department at (270) 247-3553 to be added to the list.
Tips for controlling mosquitoes at your home or office.
The best way to control mosquitoes is to find and eliminate their breeding sites! Check these areas around your home:
When you can’t flush, drain or clean out tree holes, ditches, low areas or drainage easements in your yard, you can use a larvacide product. Most home-use larvacide products are harmless to the environment and will not hurt people, pets or wildlife when used properly and according to label directions. These products can often be found at various hardware, garden and pond stores such as: True Value, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
A larvacide containing the active ingredient, methoprene, is a mosquito growth hormone regulator. It is sold under the following: STOP Mosquitoes from Breeding around your Home! Brand names: Altosid, Altosid XR, Prestrike, Zodiac. It changes the life cycle of the mosquito so it will not hatch out from its aquatic form. The mosquito never matures into a biting adult. This product is virtually non-toxic to fish, mammals and insects other than flies. It can be used in numerous environments because of its low toxicity.
A different kind of larvacide, which is a biological treatment, contains the bacteria Bacillus sphaericus (Bs). It is sold under the following brand names: Vectolex, Mosquito Bits. It is a corncob granule that contains the bacteria. These bacteria dissolve off the granules into the standing water. The released bacteria infect the gut linings of the mosquito larva, eventually killing it. This product has a month long residual and is only toxic to other aquatic flies such as black flies, midges, and no-see-ums.
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), is another biological treatment. It acts in much the same way as Bacillus sphaericus. It is sold under the following brand names: Vectobac, and Mosquito Dunks. Vectobac is the concentrated solution of the bacteria that you can put in the water. Mosquito Dunks are the solid doughnut-like forms that float on the surface of the water and have a residual for up to 30 days. Some fish, like top feeding minnows and mosquito fish, are good eaters of mosquito larvae and pupae. This is the perfect way to stop mosquitoes from breeding in your ornamental ponds.
For more updated information, contact your local health department, or visit the Center for Disease Control.
In recent years bed bugs have made a resurgence throughout the U.S.
Based on reports from local health departments and pest control operators, bed bug infestations have been found in hotels, nursing homes, public housing, apartment complexes, moving vans, jails, furniture rental stores, dormitories and other multi-unit dwellings as well as in single-family homes.
Regulations -- State hotel code
Please contact:
Shea Rodgers at shea.rogers@graveshealth.org
or
Brian Tucker at brian.tucker@graveshealth.org
The GCHD Environmental Department investigates nuisance complaints ranging from garbage, surfacing sewage and any other public health hazard.
Please contact Shea Rodgers or Brian Tucker to report nuisance complaints to the health department at shea.rodgers@graveshealth.org or brian.tucker@graveshealth.org or (270) 247-3553.
An on-site septic system is used when a city sewer connection is not available. A septic system is a wastewater treatment system that collects, treats, and disposes of wastewater. A septic system consists of two main parts: a primary treatment unit, and a leach field. There are other options available for septic systems such as lagoons and advanced treatment units.
The primary treatment unit, or septic tank, operates through the bacterial breakdown of sewage solids. After breakdown has occurred, effluent is discharged to the leach field for disposal and further treatment. As mentioned above, there are other options available for septic systems such as lagoons and advanced treatment units.
The leach field is the final step in the wastewater treatment process. The leach field treats the wastewater by evaporation and soil absorption.
The size and type of a septic system is determined by two main factors:
Visit the Graves County Health Department Environmental Office during their normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.) and complete a site evaluation application (site evaluation fee $150). Please have information such as number of bedrooms, acreage of property and location of the property, city water or well, garbage disposal in kitchen sink, basement. *Backhoe pits may be required by the inspectors to complete site evaluations at the cost of the homeowner.
A list of certified installers can be provided by the Graves County Health Department. The installer will then use the site evaluation to design and layout the system, including a proposed drawing listing all setbacks and grade shots. A certified inspector will issue a permit to the certified installer to construct the system. There is a $150 fee for a new system installation and a $100 fee for a repair permit.
After the installation of the septic system is complete, a certified inspector from the Graves County Health Department will conduct a final inspection of the system. The inspector will determine if the system has been constructed according to the permit and meets the requirements of the Kentucky Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations.
Please contact Shea Rodgers at shea.rodgers@graveshealth.org or (270) 247-3553 with any questions.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, for further information and online plumbing permit applications.
Contact the Graves County Plumbing Inspector Brad Erwin at brad.erwin@ky.gov or 270-293-6856.
The Graves County Health Department collects drinking water samples from private sources such as springs, wells and cisterns. Municipal water samples will not be tested.
Drinking water samples are tested for Total Coliforms and E. Coli only, and there is a $50 fee for each sample. We DO NOT test for PH, Nitrates/Nitrites, Water Hardness, etc.
Effective April 17, 2023 when you pay for a water sample, a collection kit with instructions will be given to you to collect the sample and return it to the Graves County Health Department on Mondays or Tuesdays before 3:00 pm. (Holidays, weather and meetings may alter the drop off days).
For more information, please contact Shea Rodgers or Brian Tucker at the Graves County Health Department at shea.rodgers@graveshealth.org or brian.tucker@graveshealth.org or (270) 247-3553.
Food establishments only allows the entry of service animals per the ADA and the Graves County Health Department regulations due to:
Our employees may ask you the following questions about your animal
Emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals are not considered service animals because they have not been trained to perform a “task” or “job.”
This program deals with public bathing facilities. Annual, follow-up and monitoring inspections are conducted by local health department environmental program staff.
Kentucky public swimming and bathing facilities
Other Swimming Pool Resources
The Kentucky Department for Public Health, Division of Public Health Food Safety Branch develops the statewide Tattoo, Body Piercing and Ear Piercing Program plans, objectives, policies and procedures. The local health departments carry out the state Tattoo, Body Piercing and Ear Piercing Programs.
The Tattoo, Body Piercing and Ear Piercing Programs register tattoo artists and body and ear piercers and certify studios. Anyone engaged in the practice of tattooing or body/ear piercing in Kentucky must be registered by the local health department.
Microblading and permanent make up is covered under the KY Tattooing Regulations and must be permitted through the local health department also.
Tattoo Studio Certification - $400
Body Piercing Studio Certification - $400
Ear Piercing Studio Certification - $400
Tattoo Artists, Body Piercers and Ear Piercers registration - $100 per certification
Tattooing Regulations PDF
Body & Ear Piercing Regulations PDF
Please contact Shea Rodgers or Brian Tucker with the health department at shea.rodgers@graveshealth.org or brian.tucker@graveshealth.org or (270) 247-3553 with any questions.