Department of Health Idaho Clerical Association scrapbook is a ‘historical gem’

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DHW employee Courtney Meek, left, works with archivist Layce Johnson to scan in the scrapbook in May at the Idaho State Archives.
DHW employee Courtney Meek, left, works with archivist Layce Johnson to scan in the scrapbook in May at the Idaho State Archives.

A dusty old scrapbook long forgotten on a top shelf in an office supply closet at the State Health Lab is now carefully preserved and held at the Idaho State Archives (ISA), a division of the Idaho State Historical Society.

Courtney Meek, a business operations specialist at the Bureau of Laboratories, found the scrapbook twice – once when she was cleaning out some shelves after a new sprinkler system was installed, and then a second time seven years later when she cleaned out a cabinet in anticipation of a move into a different office and a new job.

The second time she found it, she realized what a historical gem she had. Someone had carefully cut and glued newsletters, photos, newspaper articles, and other staffing tidbits and memorabilia about the Department of Health Idaho Clerical Association for three years in the late 1960s. It is DHW’s own little version of “Mad Men.” Continue reading “Department of Health Idaho Clerical Association scrapbook is a ‘historical gem’” →

Idaho WIC makes annual adjustment to income guidelines

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Idaho’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will implement new income guidelines effective July 1, 2016, that raise household income eligibility limits to help offset cost of living increases. This is an annual adjustment.

To be eligible for the WIC program, an individual must be a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, a woman who has recently been pregnant, or an infant or child younger than 5 years old. In addition, the individual must live in Idaho, have a special need that can be helped by WIC foods and nutrition counseling, and have a low-to-moderate income.  Continue reading “Idaho WIC makes annual adjustment to income guidelines” →

First rabid bat of the summer reported in Meridian

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A bat found in Meridian has tested positive for rabies, Central District Health Department (CDHD) has reported this afternoon. The bat was found in the back yard of a central Meridian home and is the first of the year to test positive for rabies in Idaho.

There is no known exposure to people or pets.

Each year, rabid bats are discovered throughout the state. Public health officials want to remind people to take precautions around bats and make sure that their dogs, cats and horses are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. Ten bats tested positive for rabies last year in Idaho, with two of the reports occurring in Ada County.

“Bats are the main source of rabies exposures in Idaho, and every year we receive reports of rabid bats,” said Sarah Correll, epidemiologist with the Central District Health Department. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about the importance of not touching bats or other wild animals, because doing so can have serious medical consequences.”  Continue reading “First rabid bat of the summer reported in Meridian” →

A second cat in Elmore County has likely died from plague

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Preliminary laboratory tests indicate a second cat from Elmore County likely died of plague. This is the second cat death within the last week thought to be connected to the bacterial infection, though the cats were owned by separate families.

The most recent cat lived both indoors and outdoors and had contact with ground squirrels before becoming ill. Family members and other household pets are being monitored to ensure the cat did not spread the infection. Final lab results will be available next week. Read the full release here.

Most important thing you can do to keep kids safe in the water? Pay attention.

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(Note: A Closer Look At Your Health airs most Tuesdays at 6:50 a.m. on KBOI News Radio 670. This is the segment from June 7.)

It’s hot, so we’re all headed to the pool later today, right? Before you go, you may want to brush up on some tips to keep you and your family safe from drowning, but also from possibly getting sick.

Let’s start with drowning. What the most important thing to do to help keep people and children safe?

Ten people drown in the U.S. every day, and many are children. The most important thing to do is to simply pay attention. About 75 percent of drownings that involve children happened because an adult failed to pay attention for less than 5 minutes. Swimmers who are struggling to breathe and keep their heads above water likely won’t be able to wave their arms or call for help in an obvious way. They’ll be concentrating on keeping their heads above water. Watching your children carefully while they swim is important so you can see if they are struggling.  Continue reading “Most important thing you can do to keep kids safe in the water? Pay attention.” →

Elmore County Cat Likely Died from Plague

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Central District Health Department issued a news release this afternoon advising people to take precautions with their pets in desert areas that may contain rodents carrying the plague. Preliminary lab results of a pet cat that died in Elmore County show probable infection with the plague bacteria.

The state reported die-offs of ground squirrels, often referred to as whistle pigs, from plague last week. Plague is transmitted through the bite of fleas and can cause serious illness to people and pets if not treated quickly.

To read the Central District Health Department’s news release, please click here. 

Act F.A.S.T. if you think someone might be having a stroke

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Note: A Closer Look At Your Health airs at 6:50 a.m. most Tuesdays on KBOI News Radio 670. This is the edited transcript from the May 31 segment. Join us next week! 

Stroke can happen to people of all ages and backgrounds. In fact, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. The good news is that it is preventable and treatable, especially if you can recognize the signs and get treatment right away.

What is a stroke?

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). It is the fifth leading cause of death in Idaho and the U.S., and we’re seeing it happen more often to people we wouldn’t expect, like younger people. Continue reading “Act F.A.S.T. if you think someone might be having a stroke” →

Memorial Day weekend means summer is here! (Yay!) Will you be safe?

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As we get ready to hit the road, pack our coolers for picnics and camping trips and generally get ready for the official start to the summer (finally!), we hope you’ll take the time to brush up on some health and safety tips so you and your families have a fun and rewarding summer.

Be safe on roads and highways: Every hour, an average of two traffic accidents happen somewhere in our state, with too many resulting in fatalities. Aggressive driving contributes to almost half of all motor vehicle deaths. From Memorial Day throughout the summer, more vehicles will be traveling Idaho roads, so be patient and don’t take foolish chances to arrive a few minutes early. Other travel safety tips include:

  • Be sure your vehicle is ready for travel. Check the tire air pressure (including the spare tire), along with belts, fluids, and lighting.
  • Don’t overload your vehicle.
  • Make sure everyone in your car is wearing a seatbelt.
  • Don’t text or talk on a cellphone while you’re driving. Don’t become distracted trying to do other things as you drive. A car traveling at 65 mph covers 95 feet per second. A one-second distraction could result in a serious accident and injuries.
  • Be aware of symptoms of fatigue or “highway hypnosis.” Take a break if you feel drowsy.
  • Take your time and be patient; it’s better to get there in one piece. Allow ample space between your vehicle and others on the road and pay attention to the speed limits and other traffic signs.
  • Don’t drink alcohol and drive.
  • Don’t leave your child or your pet unattended in the car, even for just a few minutes. It can heat up quickly to dangerous temperatures.

Continue reading “Memorial Day weekend means summer is here! (Yay!) Will you be safe?” →

Plague Suspected in Treasure Valley Ground Squirrel Deaths

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Preliminary tests of ground squirrels (whistle pigs) found dead in desert areas of Ada and Elmore counties have come back positive for plague.  Idaho public health and Idaho Fish and Game officials are asking people to take precautions as outdoor summer activities shift into high gear over the long Memorial Day weekend.

Ground squirrelLast year, plague was confirmed in ground squirrels in the same general areas of southern Idaho (see map below). It can circulate in wild animal populations every year. Confirmatory laboratory tests are being conducted, with results expected next week.

Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents that is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas and can cause serious illness to people and pets if not treated quickly. Continue reading “Plague Suspected in Treasure Valley Ground Squirrel Deaths” →