The PUTNAM COUNTY Back to School Walk-In Clinic at the Putnam County Health Department will be Monday, August 13 through (and including) Monday, August 20, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Suggestions offered for dealing with mosquito-borne illnesses
As summer takes hold, residents are becoming more concerned about the annual mosquito-borne illness problem. According to Christina Hinkle, RN, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s director of clinic services, “West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that causes no symptoms in approximately 80 percent of the people who are infected.”
As many as 20 percent of those infected with West Nile virus will have symptoms including body aches, fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rashes on the stomach or back. About 1 in 150 people develop more severe illnesses that may cause neurological impairment.
HEALTH ADVISORY #148 Voluntary NonOpioid Advanced Directive
The purpose of this Health Advisory is to provide guidance regarding the Voluntary NonOpioid Advanced Directive (VNOAD) form as established in Senate Bill 273, the Opioid Reduction Act of 2017 (“Act”), specifically W.Va. Code §16-54-2.
Health department identifies five more Hepatitis A cases in food service workers
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, which provides public health services for Kanawha and Putnam Counties, has confirmed hepatitis A cases in food service workers at the McDonald’s at 64 Patrick St. in Charleston, Pizza Hut at 603 Third St. in Saint Albans, Paul’s Poplar Park Drive Inn at 9850 Teays Valley Road in Scott Depot, Sakura at 230 Nitro Place in Cross Lanes, and Sam’s Club at 2500 Mountaineer Boulevard in South Charleston.
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 ADVISORY #147 Update on the Multi-State Hepatitis A Outbreak
As of June 8, 2018, West Virginia has identified 203 cases from 11 counties. Most cases have been reported from Cabell, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. Hospitalization remains high at about 70%. BPH is working closely with local health departments to obtain the most complete epidemiologic data available on cases to prevent secondary cases among close contacts. Vaccination of high-risk groups continues to be an important strategy in preventing new cases. In early June, BPH collaborated with the Regional Jail Authority to vaccinate inmates at the Western and Southcentral Regional Jails
Health department identifies two more Hepatitis A cases in food service workers
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, which provides public health services for Kanawha and Putnam Counties, has confirmed hepatitis A cases in food service workers at the Taco Bell at 4152 WV-34 in Hurricane and the Pizza Hut at 5730 MacCorkle Ave. in Charleston. One worker has been identified at each facility. This is part of an investigation involving a hepatitis A outbreak that began in February and has been linked to a national outbreak.
PCHD offers warm weather guidance
“Now is the time to prepare for hot temperatures that bring illness and even death every year,” according to Christina Hinkle, director of clinic services, at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the Putnam County Health Department.
“Take measures to stay cool. Remain hydrated and keep informed. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can’t compensate for it and properly cool you off,” Hinkle said.
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
Health department schedules Kanawha, 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 30, Charleston Civic Center
• May 31, Putnam County Courthouse, Second Floor, Old Courthouse
• June 1, St. George Conference Center (Court and Lee Streets)
• 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.
Health department identifies more Hepatitis A in food service employees
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, which provides public health services for Kanawha and Putnam Counties, has confirmed Hepatitis A cases in food service workers at American Inn at 419 Hurricane Creek Road in Hurricane, Buck’s Pizza at 4001 First Ave. in Nitro and McDonald’s at 312 Hurricane Creek Road in Hurricane. One employee at each facility has been confirmed. This is part of an investigation involving the Hepatitis A outbreak began in February
HEALTH ADVISORY #142 Vigilance for Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Since acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) was first recognized in the United States in 2014, only two confirmed cases have been reported in West Virginia (both in 2016). Though no cases have been reported in 2017, healthcare providers are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of AFM among all age groups and report suspected cases of AFM to their local health departments. Reporting of cases will help public health monitor the occurrence of AFM to better understand factors associated with this illness.
HEALTH ADVISORY #143 Widespread Influenza Activity and Severity in West Virginia
Influenza activity has increased significantly in the United States in recent weeks. West Virginia is characterized as having widespread activity. This influenza season is notable for the sheer volume of ill cases that has caused stress to health systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Advisory (https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00409.asp) that warned of a high-severity influenza A (H3N2) season and resulting clinical implications. As of January 6, 2018, 20 pediatric influenza deaths were reported nationally, none in West Virginia.
It’s the norovirus time of year
Late fall and winter bring about holiday celebrations and a nasty stomach bug known formally as the norovirus. According to Dr. Michael Brumage, executive director and health officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, “Norovirus is highly contagious and can quickly spread. Most people recover from the illness in one to three days. The elderly, very young children, and those with underlying health conditions are at greater risk for hospitalization.”
HEALTH ADVISORY #141 Dramatic Increase in Lyme Disease Cases
West Virginia will report the highest number of Lyme disease cases on record in 2017. As of November 8, 2017, 571 confirmed and probable Lyme disease cases have been reported compared to the previous record of 368 cases in 2016. The geographic distribution of cases has also increased. As of November 8, 2017, 45 counties have reported at least one confirmed or probable Lyme disease case, up from 11 counties in 2012. This increase could be the result of increased reporting, increase in the number of Ixodes scapularis ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi in West Virginia, or a recent change in the national surveillance case definition for Lyme disease. Based on the change, West Virginia is considered a high incidence Lyme disease state, and the presence of an erythema migrans (EM) with known exposure in the state is sufficient for a patient to be classified as a confirmed surveillance case.
Advice for Health Care Providers Treating Patients in or Recently Returned from Hurricane-Affected Areas
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with federal, state, territorial, and local agencies and global health partners in response to recent hurricanes. CDC is aware of media reports and anecdotal accounts of various infectious diseases in hurricane-affected areas, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Because of compromised drinking water and decreased access to safe water, food, and shelter, the conditions for outbreaks of infectious diseases exist.
Rifampin/Penicillin-Resistant Strain of RB51 Brucella Contracted from Consumption of Raw Milk
The Texas Department of State Health Services, with assistance from CDC, is investigating Brucella RB51 exposures and illnesses that may be connected to the purchase and consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas. Symptoms of brucellosis can include: fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, fatigue, muscle & joint pain, and potentially more serious complications (e.g., swelling of heart, liver, or spleen, neurologic symptoms).
Hurricane Harvey – Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if present in sufficient concentration in the ambient air. During a significant power outage, persons using alternative fuel or power sources such as generators or gasoline powered engine tools such as pressure washers might be exposed to toxic CO levels if the fuel or power sources are placed inside or too close to the exterior of the building causing CO to build up in the structure. The purpose of this HAN advisory is to remind clinicians evaluating persons affected by the storm to maintain a high index of suspicion for CO poisoning. Clinicians are advised to consider CO exposure and take steps to discontinue exposure to CO. Clinicians are also advised to ask a patient with CO poisoning about other people who may be exposed to the same CO exposure, such as persons living with or visiting them so they may be treated for possible CO poisoning.
Increase in West Nile Virus Activity in Mosquitoes
Based on data collected from May 24, 2017 to July 26, 2017, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health Mosquito Surveillance Program is reporting several West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito pools across West Virginia with the greatest number of infected mosquitoes from Cabell County. WNV positive mosquito pools have also been detected in Berkeley, Fayette, Kanawha, Putnam, Wayne, Wetzel, and Wood counties this season.