Johnson County Health Department - EPI Update Newsletter

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain types of hot dog chili sauces due to risk of contamination with botulism. Affected products are listed on the following website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp
Because botulism can be fatal, individuals with these products should throw them away immediately.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning include double and/or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that progressively moves down the body, affecting the shoulders and descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles that can result in death unless ventilation is provided.
Individuals experiencing the symptoms above after eating these products should seek medical attention immediately. For more information, call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Source: www.fda.gov

With temperatures rising in the summer months, citizens should be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness. The three types are:

• Heat stress. This includes feelings of faintness, painful muscle spasms and cramps, and a prickly heat feeling caused by a skin rash from clogged pores. This condition is caused by lack of fluids and minerals in the body to help it function properly.

• Heat exhaustion. This is more serious than heat stress, and symptoms include headache, dizziness, cool and clammy skin, muscle fatigue, chest pain, breathing problems, and nausea.

• Heat stroke. This is the most serious form of heat-related illness, and is life-threatening. Symptoms include headache, hot and dry skin, a temperature of 103 degrees or higher, rapid and shallow breathing, disorientation, seizures, and changes in consciousness. If an individual is showing these symptoms, cool them quickly with cold, wet sheets or a cool bath, and take them to the nearest hospital.

To stay cool during the long, hot summer months, follow these tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices, and sport drinks. Avoid caffeinated drinks, coffee and alcohol, as they dehydrate the body. Drink at least a gallon of water a day while spending time outdoors.
• Dress children lightly, and check on them often when they play outside. They should take frequent trips indoors to cool off and drink water. Young children should wear sunscreen of SPF 50 to reduce their risk of sunburn. Infants should spend the least amount of time possible in the sun.
• Check on elderly people often.
• Wear loose and light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers.
• Take frequent breaks to cool off.
• Eat light meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat apricots, bananas, cantaloupes, oranges, beans, broccoli, potatoes, and tomatoes to increase potassium.
• Schedule outdoor activities in the morning and evening, and try to stay in the shade while outdoors.

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Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, the State of Kansas will REQUIRE:

Hepatitis B vaccination for students entering kindergarten, first, second or third grade; and
A second dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for students entering kindergarten or first grade.

The recommended vaccination schedule for varicella is:
First dose – 12 to 15 months of age
Second dose – 4 to 6 years of age

Most individuals who get varicella vaccine will not get chickenpox. However, if someone who has been vaccinated does get chickenpox, the illness is usually very mild. The patient will typically have fewer blisters, is less likely to have a fever, and will recover faster.

Meningitis vaccine is now recommended for children aged 11-18 to years of age. An estimated 1,400 to 2,800 cases of meningococcal disease occur in the United States annually.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/dis-faqs-gen.htm

Turtle-Associated Salmonella Cases On The Rise

There has been an increase in turtle-associated Salmonella cases recently in the United States. In September 2006, an eight year-old Ohio boy contracted Salmonella from a red-eared slider turtle. A three-week old Florida baby died in February 2007, also from turtle-associated Salmonella.
Because of the risk to humans, in 1975, the United States banned the sale of turtles less than four inches. These small, seemingly harmless animals used to be thought of as great pets for children with their slow movements and thick shells.
Often the turtles that carry Salmonella do not look sick in any way. There are methods to test turtles for the presence of Salmonella, but since they do not shed the bacteria all of the time, they can have a negative test when they actually carry the germ. It could just mean the turtle wasn’t actively shedding Salmonella at that time of the test.
Salmonella bacteria can cause a human disease called salmonellosis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. It is estimated that an average of 74,000 cases of human salmonellosis are transmitted from turtles or other reptiles each year.

How can turtle-associated salmonellosis be prevented?
-Do not have a turtle in your home if you have children under five years of age, elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. A family expecting a child should remove any pet reptile from the home before the infant arrives.

-Handle turtles and surfaces that have come in contact with turtles as if they were contaminated.

-Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching any pet. Take extra caution not to touch your face, other people, or surfaces before washing your hands.

-Do not allow turtles to roam freely about your home.

-Wash surfaces that a turtle or its cage has come into contact with.

Source: www.cdc.gov/healthypets/spotlight_an_turtles.htm

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JCHD Emergency Program Staff Participates in Exercises

The Johnson County Public Health Emergency Program staff spent the month of July sharpening their skills preparing for and attending various emergency preparedness exercises throughout the region.

On July 26th the staff participated in the First Responder Priority Prophylaxis exercise held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo. This exercise brought together police, fire, EMS, and health department personnel from 10 cities and counties in the Kansas City Metro area to discuss the dispensing of medication to first responders in an emergency. Liz Ticer, Public Health Emergency Program Coordinator, sat on the design committee for the exercise, which took six months to plan.

The Johnson County Health Department will test their ability to set up an emergency medication dispensing site on July 31st at a facility in the DeSoto school district. The team is currently working with the Johnson County Facilities Department as well as DeSoto School District staff to prepare for the upcoming events. Planning for this exercise began in late May.

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Disease Reporting Notes:

If you have any questions about the monthly Epi Update, or any other disease surveillance or containment questions, please contact Nancy Tausz, RN, BSN, Director of the Disease Containment Division, at (913) 477-8362 or by email at: Nancy.Tausz@jocogov.org.

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 the Disease Containment staff a call if you have any questions or concerns at (913) 826-1303. On behalf of the Johnson County Health Department, 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.