Modoc County’s 1st West Nile
Dead Bird Case for 2009
For Immediate Release
Date: July 15, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Slinkard, RN,
PHN
Phone: 530-233-6311
Modoc County Public Health Department has been notified of its first WNV infected bird of 2009. The
bird was picked up in Lookout. WNV is not spread person-to-person, but is transmitted through the bite of
an infected mosquito.
To minimize the risk of mosquito bites and to decrease your risk of contracting WNV, remember the four
D’s:
1.
Drain
standing water around the house weekly to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs
in old tires, cans, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, toys and puddles.
2.
Dusk and dawn
are when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active, so limit outdoor activities during these times or take precautions
to prevent mosquito bites.
3.
DEET is an effective ingredient to look for in insect repellents. Always follow label instructions carefully.
4.
Dress in long
sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk or in areas where mosquitoes are active.
County residents are encouraged
to report recently dead birds to the State hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473). Birds that have been dead for more than
24 hours will not be able to be tested. The State Department of Health Services will determine if testing is appropriate.
The Modoc County
Health Department will NOT accept dead birds or possible infected animals at the office on Main Street. State
Protocol is to call the hotline and a trained Public Health Staff member will pick up the bird.
For more information about WNV in
California or to report dead birds online, visit CDHS’ website at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/.
California Department of Public Health Advises
Consumers not to use CDPH Lunch Boxes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
CONTACT: JESSICA KERN
PHONE: 530-233-6311
Lunch boxes used as nutrition education items have elevated levels
of lead
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Mark Horton, Director of
the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today urged consumers to stop using lunch boxes, which have been distributed
as CDPH nutrition educational items, after testing showed elevated levels of lead in three lunch boxes.
The canvas lunch boxes that showed elevated levels
of lead were green with a logo reading EAT FRUITS & VEGETABLES AND BE ACTIVE. Approximately 56,000 of these lunch boxes
have been distributed throughout California at health fairs and other events.
“CDPH will no longer use lunch boxes until
such time as we are assured that every lunch box is safe. In addition to lunch boxes, we are assessing all of our health promotion
items to ensure that they are safe,” Horton said, “ We are urging Californians to not use these lunch boxes and
keep them away from infants and young children.”
In addition to the lunch boxes that tested positive
for lead, CDPH has used other lunch boxes as nutrition education items for the Network of a Healthy California Program and
the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Although these lunch boxes have not shown elevated
levels of lead, CDPH recommends consumers stop using and dispose of any CDPH lunch boxes and keep them away from young children
as a precaution.
No known cases of lead poisoning have resulted
from use of the lunch boxes.
Lead can damage the brain, nerves, red blood cells,
and kidneys. Children can ingest lead by chewing and sucking on things with lead. The only way to know if your child has lead
poisoning is for your child to get a blood test. Most children with lead poisoning don’t look or act sick. To protect
your child from lead poisoning always wash your child’s hands before eating and sleeping. Feed your child healthy meals
and snacks. Foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C make it harder for lead to hurt your child.
Individuals who have these lunch boxes should return them to the Public
Health Department @ 441 N. Main Street. For more information about lead poisoning, contact Jessica Kern (Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program) at the Public Health Department 530-233-6311.
