As you may have heard, the last flu season was particularly severe, resulting in more than 80,000 deaths in the nation and 101 deaths in Idaho. The flu season here can last from October to May, and typically peaks in January or February. Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from what can be a serious infection, even for otherwise healthy people. Continue reading “#FightFlu Idaho, and get your annual flu shot now to protect yourself this season!”
Today we’re talking about food poisoning, and a serious increase in STEC cases in Southwest Idaho – What the heck is STEC?
So, the past month was National Food Safety Month and coincidentally here in Southwest Idaho, the Department of Health and Welfare along with our local public health district partners have had an unusually large number of reports about infections caused by Shiga-toxin producing E. Coli – or STEC for short –that has resulted in several hospitalizations of very young children, so now’s a good time to understand what STEC is, what to watch for and how to reduce the risk of infection to yourself or your children. Continue reading “Reports of Shiga-toxin producing E. Coli (STEC) food poisoning on the rise in SW Idaho”
By Kim Kane
Suicide Prevention Program manger, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week and a great time to remember that we all have a role to play in preventing suicide! Here are some things you can do to make a difference.
Take 5! Visit www.take5tosavelives.org and complete the Take 5 Steps. Through these steps you will,
Reach out. Research shows us that people we lose to suicide feel disconnected from others. Suicide Prevention Week is a good time to think about those in our lives who might be feeling alone and reach out. A simple text, call or email could make all the difference to someone feeling lonely. Continue reading “Rock Your Role this week for suicide prevention”
If you’re a parent with a new kindergartener, pre-schooler or child care pupil this fall, you may not be ready for the shock and “Ewww!” that comes with the first time you receive a letter from the school or day care advising you that a child in your kid’s class has head lice. Or worse, a call from the school nurse advising that your child is being sent home due to a case of head lice. After you recover from the mortification, it’s important to remember head lice are not a health risk. Continue reading “Back to school shock and “Ewww!” – Coping with a case of head lice”
The Abortion Complications Reporting Act, Idaho Code Title 39 Chapter 95, requires every hospital, licensed health care facility, and individual medical practitioner to file a written report with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare if any woman comes under their care and reports any complication or requires medical treatment that is a direct or indirect result of an abortion (IC 39-9504(1)).
If a woman reports one of the items outlined here to her medical practitioner, and the item is an abnormal or deviant process or event arising from the performance or completion of an abortion based on the medical practitioner’s reasonable medical judgment, it must be reported using this form to the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics if the medical provider is one of the entities or medical practitioners subject to reporting under the act.
The report must be completed within 90 days from the last date of treatment or other care or consultation for the complication. The information will be kept confidential and used to prepare a comprehensive annual statistical report for the Idaho Legislature.
We talked about pertussis – also know as whooping cough – back in December, but here it is August and Southwest Idaho is experiencing a whooping cough outbreak. What’s been happening?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that has steadily been on the rise since last fall locally in Ada and Canyon counties, and has now been declared an outbreak in Southwest Idaho. We’re also seeing higher incidences in the Magic Valley. August has historically been the peak month for pertussis cases, which tend to peak every three to five years. When we look back at the last high pertussis year, 2014, there were 253 cases statewide as of August 11 that year. Through August 11 this year in Idaho, we now have 257 cases reported. Continue reading “SW Idaho is in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak and infants are at risk – Here’s what you can do to protect them”
Idaho’s breastfeeding rate is one of the highest in the nation, and that’s something we like to celebrate this month during National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Breast milk offers the most optimal form of nutrition, and we’d like to keep encouraging new moms to consider breastfeeding their babies. Continue reading “It’s National Breastfeeding Awareness Month – Idaho moms set a great example”
The first positive human case of mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) in Idaho this season has been confirmed in Canyon County by Southwest District Health officials in a male in his 50s who resides in Canyon County but may have been exposed in Adams County. Both counties have previously reported WNV-positive pools of mosquitoes this season.
The individual reported mosquito bites before the onset of his illness in mid-July, according to public health officials. His symptoms included high fever, severe headaches, rash, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea. Continue reading “Update: 1st West Nile virus human case in Idaho this season confirmed in Canyon County”
Wildfire season has arrived, and with it, the smoky air that can make it difficult to breathe is already occurring in some parts of Idaho. Air quality is a big deal this time of year, and it changes depending on where the wildfires are and which way the wind is blowing. It often feels like there’s no escape from the smoke, which can cause irritating symptoms for healthy people and more serious health issues for people with heart and lung disease. So, it’s important to protect yourself and your family from smoky air whenever possible. Continue reading “The health threat of Idaho wildfire smoke: Tips to protect you and your family”
Based on the photos that are turning up in some of our social media feeds, many Idahoans are already starting to harvest produce from gardens. Canning is a great way to preserve it and share it with family and friends, but it can be risky if it’s not done correctly. If you plan to can your harvest and share it with family and friends, it’s important to be knowledgeable about proper techniques so you can make sure your home-canned vegetables aren’t contaminated by the germ that causes botulism. Continue reading “The harvest has started, so it’s time for some home-canning safety reminders”
DHW Voice 