Recent Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIEATE RELEASE
November 23, 2011
KING AND PRINCE SEAFOOD CORP. ISSUES VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE ON NOVA STYLE COLD SMOKED SALMON and SABLE FISH LOX, SALMON SUSHI FILLETS, and SALMON TRIM BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK
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November 10, 2011
Pertussis in the News
The news recently has been full of reports regarding a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in Bozeman. Questions have arisen such as, “How serious is this?”, “Am I safe?”, “How did this happen?”First of all, pertussis is a very contagious and potentially serious disease, especially so for young infants. Babies usually catch pertussis from a family member or other caregiver, and more than half of infants less than one year of age with pertussis are hospitalized. The initial symptoms of whopping cough are similar to a mild cold; a low temperature, runny nose and a mild cough. The persistent cough which is a hallmark of pertussis may not set in for one to two weeks. This cough is rapid and violent, occurring over and over until the air is gone from the lungs, and one is forced to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. This extreme coughing can result in vomiting and exhaustion. These coughing spells usually last from one to six weeks, but can continue for up to ten weeks or even longer. Whooping cough can be debilitating for an adult. And, about 1 in 20 infants with pertussis get pneumonia. About 1 in 100 infants will have convulsions. And, rarely, pertussis can lead to death. Yes, pertussis is serious.
Whooping cough is a vaccine-preventable disease. Babies 2 months of age and older as well as school-aged children receive DTaP as protection from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. However, babies aren’t fully protected until they are over a year old. Older children and adults receive TDaP.
The immunity given through vaccination for pertussis isn’t permanent. The protection lessens with time. It is recommended that adults receive TDaP boosters instead of just plain Tetanus when it is time for their shots. Individuals over the age of 65 should receive TDaP as well, as protection for the littlest amongst us.
The answer to the question, “How could this happen,” would most likely be because some individuals were not immunized, and for those immunized people who were stricken, their immune systems did not adequately respond to the vaccine.
If you have had a vaccination against pertussis within the last several years, the chances of your contracting pertussis are small. However, no vaccine is 100% effective. The best defense against this disease, and most others, is to be fully immunized, to practice good hand-washing and cough etiquette, and to stay away from people who are ill.
For information on obtaining a TDaP vaccination, contact your local health care provider or Madison County Public Health 843-4295. Also, inquire about free vaccine for those who qualify.
October 17, 2011
Press Release from the Madison County Public Health Department - Chickenpox
The Madison County Public Health Department has confirmed one case of chickenpox (Varicella). Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease but preventable. Unfortunately, the contagious period for chickenpox is 1 to 2 days before the appearance of the rash (blisters) and until the blisters are scabbed over; therefore it is highly likely that infected individuals may not be aware that they have contracted the disease.Both Jefferson and Madison County Public Health Departments are working together to reduce the risk of further infection. Watch for symptoms that include fever, runny nose, irritability, and a rash consisting of small red spots which blister over 3-4 days and then scab. The rash is more prevalent on the trunk and body than on the limbs but may appear on the inside of the mouth, ears, and over the scalp. Because of the mouth blisters, chickenpox may also include coughing.
Chickenpox is generally not a serious disease but it is highly contagious. Person to person transmission occurs primarily by direct contact with patients who have it. Chickenpox is transmitted through exposure to infected fluids from the nose, throat, or the skin rash of someone with the chickenpox. This can occur by sharing breathing space (chickenpox is transmitted via the air), by directly touching the infected fluids (droplets), or less frequently from contact with contaminated items.
The incubation period for chickenpox (time for the symptoms to surface after contracting the disease) is 14 to 16 days but can range from 10 to 21 days. The itching from the skin rash can be controlled by cool baths, dabbing the spots with calamine lotion, and avoiding spicy, acidic or hard crunchy foods that may irritate mouth sores. Recovery time is usually 5 to 10 days, or when the rash has scabbed over. Complications of severe cases may include secondary bacterial infections, dehydration, pneumonia, central nervous system problems and even death.
Prevention is the best insurance! The chickenpox vaccine is very effective, with 8 to 9 of every 10 people vaccinated becoming completely protected. Children should receive their first vaccination for chickenpox between 12 to 15 months of age. A booster shot is also required at least 28 days after the first. Children with only one vaccination are not fully protected. In addition, any individual (of any age) who has had chickenpox is at risk of contracting shingles later in life. Please contact the Madison County Public Health Department for more information or to ensure you and your family is fully immunized and protected from PREVENTABLE diseases (843-4295; MadCoPHD@3Rivers.net). As a reminder, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are always recommended to aid in the prevention of many contagious diseases including the flu and common cold.
