MAY 21, 2015 - FIRST TEXAS WEST NILE VIRUS CASE CONFIRMED

Harris County confirmed the first human case of the 2015 season of West Nile Virus illness.  West Nile virus season typically runs from June through October, but has come early most likely due to the recent rains throughout Texas.  During the summer months you can enjoy the outdoors just remember to protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne disease.

MOSQUITO-PROOF YOUR PROPERTY

• Don't "feed" storm drains.  Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves & tree limbs.

• Remove empty containers that can hold water such as tires, flowerpots & toys.

• Change water in birdbaths and pet water bowls every 3-5 days.

• Keep rain gutters free of debris.

• Make sure screens are in good condition.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

• When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label.

• If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk on because this is when the primary mosquito (Culex) that transmits West Nile Virus is most active.

Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus show no or only mild symptoms such as:  low grade fever, muscle aches and headache.  More severe signs and symptoms can include:  high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, encephalitis and rarely death.  If you think you have been infected with West Nile Virus, contact your health care provider.

MAY IS HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH

May 19 will be recognized as Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States.  During May, CDC and its public health partners will work to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and encourage testing for those who may be chronically infected.  Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic in the United States because more than 4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C, and up to 75% don't know they are infected.  During May, CDC is distributing additional materials for the national education campaign called "Know More Hepatitis".  The campaign will help to raise awareness about hepatitis C and encourage people born from 1945-1965 to talk to their doctor and get tested. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis for more information.

National Infant Immunization Week is

April 18-25, 2015

Can you name all 14 diseases that childhood vaccines protect against?  Visit CDC's vaccine website for parents to learn about these diseases, their symptoms and how they are spread:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/fact-sheet-parents.html

Know the facts!  GYT: Get Yourself Tested

When it comes to preventing and testing for sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) people often make false assumptions about how to stop the spread of STDs, how STD tests are done and who should be tested.  But the truth is that preventing, testing for and treating STDs is very straightforward.  The CDC encourages you to Know the Facts and GYT:  Get Yourself Tested. 

For more information please contact the MDHD at 254-697-7039 or go to:  http://www.cdc.gov/gyt

A Guide for Young Adults

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a very common virus that can lead to:

Cancers of the mouth and throat

Cancer of the cervix

Cancer of the penis, vagina, vulva, or anus

      Genital warts

HPV vaccine can prevent these!

Do I really need HPV vaccine? Yes!

Do I need it if I haven’t had sex yet? Yes!

You don’t have to have sex to catch HPV, but sex increases your risk.

You can get HPV by skin-to-skin intimate contact.

People can get and spread HPV without knowing it.

It’s best to get vaccinated before you ever have sex.

Should I get HPV vaccine if I’ve already had sex? Yes!

You still need to get vaccinated even if you have had sex. The vaccine provides a lot of protection.

Do I need 3 shots?  Yes!

You need 3 HPV shots to be fully protected.

I didn’t get the vaccine at age 11 or 12. Should I get it now? Yes!

HPV vaccination is recommended for people ages 9 through 26. Even though it is ideal to get

HPV vaccine as a preteen, it is still highly effective in teens and young adults.

Is HPV vaccine safe? Yes!

Millions of doses of HPV vaccine have been given without any problem.

You may get a sore arm.

Occasionally, a few people faint, so sit for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine.

• Vaccine Dose #1 recommended for people ages 9-26 years

• Vaccine Dose #2 recommended 1-2 months after vaccine dose #1

• Vaccine Dose #3 recommended at least 6 months after dose #1

HPV is one of many vaccines offered by the Milam County Health Department.  Please feel free to contact us

at 254-697-7039 or for more information on vaccines for teens and young adults go to www.vaccineinformation.org/teens

MEASLES

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.  One dose of MMR vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus, and two doses are about 97% effective.  In the U.S. widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.  Since 2000, when measles was declared eliminated from the U.S., the annual number of people reported to have measles ranged from a low of 37 people in 2004 to a high of 644 people in 2014.  Most of these originated outside the country or were linked to a case that originated outside the country.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.  Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.  Students at post-high school educational institutions who do not have evidence of immunity against measles need two doses of MMR vaccine.  Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

MMR is one of many vaccines offered at the Milam County Health Department.  For more information regarding vaccines, please contact us at 254-697-7039 or visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines