Thursday, June 27, 2013

Do You Know the 4 D’s of West Nile Virus Prevention?

The best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from mosquito bites, is to follow the four D’s: Drain, Dusk/Dawn, Dress, DEET.

DRAIN: Drain or empty standing water around your home and neighborhood, since that is where mosquitoes lay their eggs

DUSK/DAWN: Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning (dusk and dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times when mosquitoes are most active

DRESS: Dress in long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn or in areas where mosquitoes are active. Wearing light-colored clothing may also help prevent being bitten.

DEET, Picariden or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Wear insect repellant containing either DEET, Picariden or oil of lemon eucalyptus.


  •  Follow label instructions
  •  Apply repellants to exposed skin and/or clothing.
  • Never use repellants over cuts, wounds or irritated skin
  •  If using DEET, choose the concentration that best fits the amount of time spent outside. 25 percent DEET lasts up to 5 hours, 5 percent lasts 45-90 minutes. Use a concentration of 30 percent or less for children.
  • DEET should not be used on children less than 6 months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years of age. 

Sun Safety

At 93 million miles away . . . . You could Miss the Warning Label
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and it is preventable. Use sunscreen, cover up and seek shade.
·      Learn more and protect yourself: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/index.htm
·      Skin cancer in Colorado


Safe Sex

Access to sexual and reproductive health services is essential for healthy populations. JCPH supports all women’s and men’s rights to such access. The Family Planning Program provides comprehensive contraceptive services to Jefferson County residents. Services include education, counseling, medical examination, treatment and birth control methods for men and women.
Reproductive health and birth control (family planning) services are available at our Arvada and Lakewood locations. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and to people with Medicaid. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay.  In addition to providing birth control pills and condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies, the department offers alternatives through long acting birth control methods, including no scalpel vasectomy for men. Remember, some activities are definitely high risk for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis infection. Protect yourself and your partner . . . wear a condom and get tested!
·         For appointments in Lakewood: 303-239-7078 or in Arvada: 303-275-7500.
·         View the JCPH Sex Ed with Mel video on birth control
·         Youth and young adults in Jefferson County can also use Go Ask TISH to get answers about their sexual health.

·         Get with Public Health, like us on Facebook

Splish. Splash. Practice Healthy Swimming Behaviors

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) encourages healthy swimming behaviors to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses.  Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers or oceans. RWIs can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory, neurological and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crptosporidium, Giradia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli.
Practice healthy swimming behaviors:
·         Refrain from swimming when ill, especially if you have diarrhea.
·         Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting in your mouth
·         Shower before swimming and wash hands after using bathroom or changing diapers. Change diapers in bathroom and not at poolside or near water.
EHS performs routine inspections of year round public and semi-public pools/spas. Follow up inspections are performed as needed. JCPH also offers a two-day course is designed to prepare individuals in the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool-spa operations.
Pool/Spa Certification Course

  • For more information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention and Healthy Swimming, contact Leslie Frank, Environmental Health Specialist at 303-271-5776 or email at: lefrank@jeffco.us
  • Information can also be found on the Centers for Disease Control web site at: www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

In some areas of Jefferson County, a substantial number of residential dwellings receive water from private wells. The department recommends that well water be tested for certain contaminants. JCPH Water Quality page:  http://jeffco.us/public-health/water-quality/drinking-water-wells/

Measles in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and its partners across the state are asking that everyone be up to date on their measles vaccinations and to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of this highly contagious respiratory disease.  The CDPHE announced the first measles case in Colorado since 2006 in an adult male from India on June 4, 2013.  The first case was known to have visited a private physician’s office and later was hospitalized at Sky Ridge Medical Center. A second case was reported on June 7, 2013 and was exposed at that physician’s office, Dermatology and Laser Institute of Colorado, located at the Lone Tree Medical Plaza, 9695 S. Yosemite St., Lone Tree.  Health officials warn others may have been exposed.  
 The incubation period for measles ranges from 7 – 21 days, and susceptible individuals exposed to the secondary case could develop measles symptoms between June 9 and June 27.  In addition to staying up to date on immunizations, people should be alert for the symptoms of measles and contact a health care provider if they become ill.
JCPH Immunization Program offers vaccines to prevent many childhood diseases. Call 303-232-6301 to make an appointment or visit the JCPH Immunization web page.

It is Hot Outside! Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed.

As summer temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat related illnesses. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, and may include: Feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, heavy sweating, rapid, weak heartbeat, low blood pressure, cool, moist, pale skin, low-grade fever, heat cramps, headache, fatigue, dark-colored urine. See these tips on preventing heat related illness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and have a safe and cool summer.  
Elderly people (65 years and older) and Infants and young children are more prone to the effects of extreme heat. Take precautions:
  • Never leave anyone in a closed parked vehicle. Never leave infants or children in a vehicle, even if the windows are open.
  • Never leave pets in a parked car - they can suffer heat-related illness too.
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Call 911 or emergency medical help if fainting, confusion or seizures occur, or if fever of 104 F or greater occurs with other symptoms. 
More information:
                >Heat and the elderly: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/seniors.html
                >Heat and children: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/children.html
                >Download CDC brochure

Jefferson County Seeks Public Input for Health Improvement Plan

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), in partnership with the Jefferson County Board of Health, Jefferson County Health Council and numerous community partners, wants your input as we choose priorities for our community health improvement plan. The community health improvement plan – or CHIP – will outline how all the organizations that influence health in Jefferson County will work together over the next 5 years to fight our county’s toughest health battles. The process relies on current health data as well as community input to target our health priorities and identify strategies that have been proven to make a difference.

 Community Engagement Meetings Scheduled
Jefferson County Public Health is holding meetings across the county to try to include as many voices as possible. Dates and locations are listed below or download the community engagement flyer.  Please join us at one of these events. By better understanding the needs of the community and focusing efforts, we can effectively improve the health of Jefferson County residents. A light healthy dinner will be provided at each event and child care is available at the Edgewater and Conifer events.
    • Edgewater:   Thursday, July 11th, 6:00-7:30pm
      JVA Consulting
      2465 Sheridan Boulevard
      Edgewater, CO 80214.
      This meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish. Child care will be provided.

    • Littleton:  Monday, July 15th, 6:00-7:30pm
      Columbine Library
      7706 West Bowles Avenue
      Littleton, CO 80123

    • Conifer:  Monday, July 22nd, 6:00-7:30pm
      Mountain Resource Center
      11030 Kitty Drive
      Conifer, CO 80433
      Child care will be provided.
       
    • Arvada:  Tuesday, July 30th, 6:00-7:30pm
      Arvada Library
      7525 West 57th Avenue
      Arvada, CO 80002 
    • Lakewood: Wednesday, August 7th, 4:30-6:00pm
      Clements Community Center
      1580 Yarrow Street
      Lakewood, CO 80214

       Please sign up for child care by contacting Erika Jermé at ejerme@jeffco.us.
Find more information on creating healthier communities on the Healthy People Healthy Places Jeffco website,   a collaboration of community organizations, government agencies and individuals committed to developing and implementing a Community Health Improvement Plan for Jefferson County, Colorado or contact Erika Jermé, MScPl, JCPH Community Health Improvement Planner, at 303-271-5737 or ejerme@jeffco.us.

·         The 2013 Community Health Assessment is the most thorough compilation of health-related data published to date about Jefferson County, Colorado. For questions regarding the data included in this report, please contact the JCPH epidemiologist, 303-271-5742.