Johnson County Health Department - EPI Update Newsletter

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Disease Containment Division

ARTICLES:

1. Sentinels - Mother Nature's Biosensors

2. Food Safety

3. Heat Stress and Heat Related Illnesses

4. Fight the Bite - Insect Repellant Guidelines

Educational Opportunities

June
Communicable
Disease Report

Disease Reporting Notes

As of Jule 1, 2005:

For an explanation of the Homeland Security Advisory System and recommendations from the US Dept of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross on recommended activities at each level,
click here.

Olathe:
11875 S. Sunset Dr.
Suite 300
Olathe, KS 66061
PH: 913.894.2525
FX: 913.477.8048

Mission:
6000 Lamar
Suite 140
Mission, KS 66202
PH: 913.826.1200
FX: 913.826.1210

Sentinels are individuals or parts of a population potentially susceptible to an infection or infestation that is being monitored for the appearance or recurrence of a causative pathogen or parasite (Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary, 2005) - view entire article.

There are an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illness (FBI) in the US each year, causing more than 5,000 deaths and 325,000 hospitalizations annually. FBIs most commonly cause diarrhea, cramping, fever, nausea, vomiting and body aches within hours to days after infection. In rare cases, FBIs lead to multiple organ failure, coma and death.

FBIs typically increase in prevalence in the summertime. Large parties, cooking outdoors and outdoor dining can give the organisms that cause FBIs conditions where they thrive. However, with proper food preparation and handling, many FBIs can be avoided - view entire article.

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Heat causes more than 400 deaths each year in the US – more than all other natural disasters combined. During the 1995 Chicago heat wave, more than 650 people died in less than two weeks. Because most heat-related deaths occur during the summer, and because weather projections for this year indicate a hotter-than-average summer, people should be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death.

Most at risk for heat stress and heat-caused illnesses are the poor, people in inner cities, people with chronic illness, homebound people, and children under the age of 5 years. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Some behaviors also put people at greater risk: drinking alcohol; taking part in strenuous outdoor physical activities in hot weather; and taking medications that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

Air conditioning is the best way to avoid heat stress and heat-caused illness. Many people, however, do not have air conditioning in their homes. Also, loss of electrical power, or “blackouts,” can be caused by extreme heat. This adds to the severity of heat crises by making it tougher for people to find cool places.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106 ° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided - view entire article.

Using an effective insect repellant is an excellent way to avoid annoying insect bites, as well as diseases like West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines on using insect repellants safely and effectively.

CDC recommends using repellants that have active ingredients that have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on skin and/or clothing. Two active ingredients, DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and picaridin (KBR 3023) provide longer protection than others
- view entire article.

To see upcoming workshops, satellite broadcasts, and more at the Johnson County Health Department, check out the What’s New? page of our website to see our calendar of events.

June Communicable Disease Report:

Disease Category	June 2005	June 5yr Avg	YTD 2005	2004 Total	2003 Total	2002 Total
Enteric Diseases:
Salmonella	14	4.6	43	85	50	38
Shigella	4	1.2	8	11	6	30
Central Nervous System:
Meningitis, Aseptic (including viral and fungal meningitis)	1	1.2	3	29	14	26
West Nile Encephalitis/Meningitis	0	0	0	2+	5	2
West Nile Fever	0	0	0	1+	0	0
Sexually Transmitted Infections:
Infection Numbers (excluding HIV/AIDS - see below)	98	58.8	474	981	849	876
Vaccine Preventable Diseases:
Influenza, A&B	0	0	4	1	7	1
Measles	0	0	0	0	0	0
Pertussis	2	1.2	9	19	5	4
Varicella	3*+	n/a	141*+	51*+	*	*
M. tuberculosis:
Confirmed Cases	0!	0.8	7	7	14	12
Rare Diseases (other than listed):
Brucellosis	0	0.2	0	2	0	0
HIV and AIDS	Apr-June 2005	June 5yr avg	YTD 2005	2004 Total	2003 Total	2002 Total
HIV	1	3.2	5	18	16	18
AIDS	5	3.8	5	24	15	8

* Became reportable in June 2004
+ Includes probable as well as confirmed cases
! 20 cases under investigation
n/a not applicable

Communicable disease reporting is the cornerstone of public health surveillance and disease control. Please remember to maintain an index of suspicion for bioterrorism and reportable disease, and give us a call if you have any questions or concerns (913-826-1303). On behalf of the Disease Containment Staff, thank you for your continued support.

Johnson County government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age and handicapped status in employment or the provision of programs and services.