The Bureau for Public Health, in collaboration with local and federal partners, is responding to an increase in newly diagnosed cases of HIV among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in West Virginia. Public health partnerships, expanded HIV testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care, harm reduction services, and initiation of or referral to substance use disorder recovery as applicable are all critical to preventing and addressing HIV in the community. Thanks to new and better treatments, people with HIV who remain in care are now living longer – and with a better quality of life – than ever before.
Announcements
HEALTH ALERT #156 Acute Flaccid Myelitis
West Virginia has confirmed a case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). AFM is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system, causing muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. The last confirmed case of AFM in West Virginia was in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized AFM in 2014 as a syndrome following increased reports of acute limb weakness and began surveillance for this condition. Clinicians are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of AFM among all age groups and to immediately report suspected cases of AFM to their local health department (LHD) as per the West Virginia Reportable Disease Rule (64 CSR 7).
PCHD, partners undertake community assessment
The Putnam County Health Department is working with community partners to complete a comprehensive Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Results will be published later this year.
Health department schedules Putnam Hep A clinics
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, which also provides public health services for the Putnam County Health Department, is scheduling hepatitis A vaccination clinics for restaurant and food service employees in Kanawha and Putnam counties as part of its response to the national Hepatitis A outbreak.
• May 31, Putnam County Courthouse, Second Floor, Old Courthouse
• June 1, Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, 2848 Putnam Avenue, Hurricane
Putnam County Community Health Assessment Survey
Please take our Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PutnamCounty2018.
Food Safety Training
Putnam County Health Department offers online Food Manager and Food Handler Safety Classes to food service employees through http://pchd.statefoodsafety.com.
Threat Preparedness Training and Exercise
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department will be participating in a full-scale, Medical Countermeasures Exercise (MCM) on April 20, 2017. The purpose of this exercise is to test our plan and capabilities for dispensing medication to the public during a large-scale medical emergency. A Mass Antibiotic Dispensing Training will take place prior to the exercise on April 6, 2017.
Adolescents Need Vaccines
If your child is uninsured or underinsured they may qualify for the Vaccines for Children program that provides free vaccines to children age 18 and under without any out-of-pocket expense to the parent. Children enrolled with Medicaid or WVCHIP also receive state-supplied vaccines at no cost to the parent.
Health Inspection Reports
Every week our sanitarians go on location to inspect businesses to ensure they are meeting health standards of West Virginia for Housing, Water, Food, Sewage, and Clean Indoor Air Regulation of Putnam County.