Modoc County Health Services
Press Releases

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.