HERMANN — With Gasconade County among the state’s high-risk counties for youngsters being exposed to lead, the local Health Department is stepping up its screening efforts.

Health Department Administrator Kenna Fricke Monday morning told the agency’s Board of Directors that a new piece of equipment is being used to better screen children 6 years of age and younger. It was used recently at the Head Start facility in Owensville and the screening went well, she said.

“That’s part of their program,” she noted, “to make sure the kids are screened.” Fricke’s report on the screening came during the board’s regular monthly session.

Increased screening for lead exposure comes as the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services is making a push to beef up screening, especially in the high-risk counties.

“We’re not testing at the level the state would like to see,” Fricke said.

Exposure to lead has been linked to learning disabilities and is a concern regarding older communities in which lead-based paint was widely used many years ago.

The concern extends beyond older homes with flaking paint. A lead-abatement project is scheduled to take place as part of the renovation of the exterior of the Gasconade County courthouse. Work will be done to remedy the presence of lead paint used on the second-floor balcony and the ceiling of the porch at the main entrance. The work will be done carefully to prevent exposure to the old lead-based paint, so much so that the main entrance will be closed to traffic for about six weeks, according to the contractors working on the historic structure.

In other matters, Fricke told the board that adult immunizations are keeping agency personnel busy, thanks to a successful outreach push to get vaccines to older residents such as those in nursing homes.

“We have seen tremendous growth in immunizations,” she said, adding that department staff will be continuing its outreach efforts by offering immunizations at the Hermann Senior Center today (Wednesday) and Thursday.

The agency also is looking to partner with New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics of Kansas City to provide space at the department’s Owensville office for offering imaging services.

“Their ultrasound technicians are really good,” Fricke said, adding that Mobile Diagnostics can provide screenings, electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other services. The board gave its support, which clears the way for Fricke to develop a schedule for the imaging company.

“We’ll give them a block of time” to see residents, she said.

Board President Stan Hall said he wanted Fricke to talk with Hermann Area District Hospital Administrator Bill Hellebusch about the diagnostic service, concerned that the health agency’s action might be seen as competing with the hospital regarding imaging.

Fricke said she shared that concern. But, she added, “This isn’t targeting Medicare or Medicaid holders. It’s just a service that’s already in place” that needs a workspace.

Hall said he would like the board to review the partnership and gauge the success of the project at that time.

“It will be interesting to see how this goes,” Hall said.”It’s a huge service that’s needed,” he added.

On another front, Fricke described the planned repeat of the Decontamination Drill held in early August at Hermann Middle School “a little bit of a bummer.”

A second drill is necessary, according to state and federal emergency planners, because all of the local agencies that would be involved in the event of an actual radiation incident at the Ameren Callaway Power Center did not take part in the drill.

“Right now they’re talking about Spring Break” as the time for the repeat, which would take place during two evenings, she said. “We are awaiting further information.”