Toledo-Lucas County Health Department:

Division of Community Services

Inside this issue

Public Health Week 2015..... 2

Vectors of Spring .................. 3

Environmental Health

Assessment Survey ................ 3

Flooding Safety ..................... 4

Salmonella and Baby

Poultry ................................... 4

Staff Spotlight ........................ 5

Minority Health Month—

Minority Health Month (MHM) was created in Ohio in April 1989. The first celebration featured 81 com-munity initiated events. We were elated, since our goal was for one event to be conducted each day throughout Ohio. Minority Health Month was designed to be a 30-day inclusive, high visibility, wellness campaign. In 2000, MHM became a national celebration. The goals established for the month, from inception, remain valid today. Those goals are to: provide cru-cial information to allow individuals to practice disease prevention;

Promote healthy lifestyles;

Showcase the providers of grassroots healthcare resources and information;

Highlight the disparate health conditions between Ohio’s minority and non minority populations;

To gain additional support for on-going efforts to improve minority health year round. Today, the month has grown to over 100 events planned and executed by community based agencies and organizations. The creativity of these initiatives has been extraordinary. For a calendar of minority health events in Lucas County, please go to www.minorityhealthtoledo.org The theme for National Minority Health Month 2015 is “30 Years of Advancing Health Equity | The Heckler Report: A Force for Ending Health Disparities in America.” This theme commemorates the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) efforts towards eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities that were mobilized by the findings from the Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, commonly referred to as the Heckler Report.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, released in 1985 under the leadership of former HHS Secretary Mar-garet Heckler. This landmark report marked the first convening of a group of health ex-perts by the U.S. government to conduct a comprehensive study of racial and ethnic mi-nority health and elevated minority health to a national stage.

This milestone anniversary serves as a paramount opportunity to highlight national and local efforts towards eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity, including legislative policy and actions such as the Affordable Care Act, the HHS Action Plan to Re-duce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, and the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities.

April 2015

Volume 1, Issue 4

Community

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The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department Participated in Public Health Week 2015, a campaign originally started by the American Public Health Association (APHA). During the first full week of April of each year, APHA brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health week (NPHW). Monday: What is Public Health? Our department encouraged the visitors to Toledo-Lucas County Health Department to provide input about what they view as public health. The materials were available all week long for individuals to add their input about public health. Tuesday: World Health Day Community Services and Environmental Health provided an interac-tive display with baby chickens and ducks providing education about food safety and the health of backyard flocks. Employees also were encouraged to participate in a safety scavenger hunt— an opportunity for our department to share preparedness knowledge and compete for prizes. Two employees won the scavenger hunt: Alice Dargatz and Faynett Brown— Congratula-tions!

Wednesday: Environmental Health Toledo-Lucas County Health Depart-ment challenged employees to extend recycling efforts to include recycling at work. Educational materials were avail-able in the lobby, including interactive displays on mosquito fish and tire recy-cling.

Thursday: Clinics, Pharmacy and Laboratory Information was shared with the community about clinics and our travel immun-ization program Friday: Health Services and Outreach The numerous outreach programs that TLCHD participates in were highlighted.

National Public Health Week 2015

2

3

Environmental Health

Assessment Survey As part of an ongoing approach to improve Environmental Health Conditions in Lucas County, the Toledo-Lucas County Health De-partment is partnering with University of Toledo in the process of conducting an Envi-ronmental Health Assessment. This assess-ment is a multi-step process to gather infor-mation about what residents and employees within Lucas County view as important envi-ronmental health issues. Are you concerned about Food Safety? Radon? Secondhand Smoke Exposure? Take 10-15 minutes of your day to let us know! The survey link can be found on our website: www.lucascountyhealth.com

Protect Yourself: Vectors of Spring

Springtime means an increase in outdoor activities and it is important to make sure you are taking preventive measures to avoid illnesses caused by ticks, mosquitos and other biting insects. While it is a good idea to take precautions year-round in Ohio, be extra vigilant as temperatures warm and bugs become more active. Avoid direct contact with ticks

Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

Walk in the center of trails. Repel ticks

Use repellents that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouth.

Use products that contain permethrin for clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and remains protective for up to 70 washings. Find information for other repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Find and remove ticks from your body

Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.

Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and especially in their hair.

Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats and day packs. Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill remaining ticks. (Some research suggests that shorter drying times may also be effective, particularly if the clothing is not wet.)

Vectors and the Disease(s) they may Cause: Mosquitoes

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV)

La Crosse virus (LACV)

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV)

West Nile virus (WNV)

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)

Dengue fever

Japanese encephalitis (JE)

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Ticks

Anaplasmosis

Babesiosis

Erlichiosis

Lyme disease

Powassan virus (POW)

Spotted fever rickettsiosis (including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever)

Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)

Tularemia

Severe weather season is here, and while that may mean thunderstorms, tornadoes and a lot of rain, we want to make sure everyone stays safe when flooding from those storm systems occur. Flood water is not just a nuisance, it also can contain potentially danger-ous materials, such as fecal matter from overflowing sewage systems, agricultural runoff and chemicals from industrial areas. Wading in flood waters can also be a cause of infection or result in a variety of injuries. Eating or drinking anything contaminated by flood water can cause diar-rheal disease. Follow these tips to stay healthy during and after the flood: Flooding in Your Area

Tune into local radio and TV stations to see if your area is under a boil alert for drinking water.

Follow the guidelines if you have a private water systems or sewage treatment systems impacted by flooding.

Do not allow children to play in flood water areas.

Practice good hygiene (Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap is not available) after contact with flood waters. Wash children's hands frequently (always before meals).

Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat. Such items include food that has come into direct contact with flood waters and/or refrigerated foods when the power has been off for four or more hours.

Disinfect food-contact surfaces and utensils that have come into direct contact with flood waters using soap and clean warm wa-ter.

Cleaning Your Home After a Flood

Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and gog-gles during clean-up of affected area.

Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

Do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by flood water and have not been disinfected.

Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).

Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contami-nated with sewage or flood waters.

Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, mold-ing, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish deter-gent.

Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.

After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use water that has been boiled for one minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).

Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.

Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.

Flooding Safety

Salmonella and Baby Poultry People can become infected with Salmonella from eating food contaminated with the bacteria or having contact with an infected animal’s fe-ces. Approximately 1,300 people withSalmonella infections are reported each year in Ohio; however, the true number of Ohioans infected each year is estimated to be more than 37,000 because many people do not seek medical treatment and are not diagnosed with Salmonella. Children less than 5 years of age, adults older than 60 years of age and people who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk for severe infection from Salmonella.

How is Salmonella transmitted? Children become infected by putting their fingers or other things contaminated with chick stool into their mouths. Chicks and ducklings often do not appear dirty but may have feces on their feathers and beaks - places where children are likely to touch.

How do I know if a chick or duckling has Salmonella? Many chicks and young birds carry Salmonella in their feces. It is difficult to know if chicks are carrying Salmonella because they will not usual-ly show signs of illness.

How do I reduce the exposure of young children to Salmonella from chicks and ducklings?

Do NOT purchase live animals as gifts. Give toy stuffed animals instead.

Do not let children under 5 years of age handle baby chicks or other young birds. Keep them from coming into contact with packages in

which chicks or ducklings arrive.

If anyone touches the chicks or ducklings or their environment, make sure that they wash their hands immediately afterwards. Pacifiers,

toys, bottles or other objects should not touch the baby birds or their enclosures. If these objects do become contaminated, wash them with warm soapy water.

Do not allow anyone to eat or drink while interacting with birds or their environment. Keep the bird area separate from areas where food

and drink are prepared or consumed. Do not allow chicks or ducklings on table surfaces or places where food will be prepared or eaten.

Talk to your veterinarian, nurse or doctor about possible risk factors.

What are the signs of Salmonella infections in humans? Most people have diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain that starts one to three days after they ingest the bacteria. These symptoms usually re-solve after one week. Other symptoms might be nausea, chills, headaches or general achy feeling. Young children, the elderly and other im-munocompromised persons may have a more severe infection. Occasionally, infections are so severe that people have to see a doctor or be hospitalized.

This calendar of events is maintained by the Division of Community Services at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Depart-

ment. If you or your organization has events that you would like added to this event calendar or if you have questions

regarding an event date/time/location, please contact Mahjida Steffin at steffinm@co.lucas.oh.us or 419-213-4218.

April 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5

Easter

6 7 8

National Zoo Lovers Day

9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22

Earth Day!

23 24

National Arbor Day

25

26 27 28 29 30

National Infant Immunization Week (April 18-25)

Stress Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month

National Public Health Week (April 6-12)

Staff Spotlight

Congratulations to Eric Zgodzinski and

Samantha Eitniear for being invited to and

presenting at the National Association of

County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)’s Preparedness

Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. The presentation was on the

Harmful Algal Boom that occurred in 2014 and local response

to the incident.