First West Nile Virus Pool Found in Jefferson County

Environmental Health Services has received results for the first positive mosquito pool for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Jefferson County. With all of the rain that has occurred this summer, stagnant pools of water are bound exist. These pools serve as ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes, some of which carry WNV. West Nile virus infection is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms.

It is important to realize that West Nile virus can be debilitating and life threatening. Your backyard or patio is not a "safe zone." Even a quick trip to the trash, barbecue or garden allows time for an infected mosquito to bite. Everyone should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes this summer and fall. Residents should also eliminate standing, stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. Remember the 4 Ds:

• Use DEET or alternative;
• DRESS in long sleeves and pants;
• Avoid DUSK until DAWN; and,
• DRAIN standing water.

Visit the JCPH West Nile Virus webpage for more information and helpful tips, or contact the JCPH Zoonosis Program at 303-271-5730 or the Jefferson County Environmental Health Services office at 303-232-6301.

Parents! Add Immunizations to your School Readiness Checklist

Books, backpacks, clothes, pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!

We all need shots (also called vaccinations or immunizations) to help protect us from serious diseases. To help keep our community safe, Jefferson County Public Health is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.

Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them.

Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages.

• If you have a child age 6 or younger, find out which shots your child needs.
• Find out which shots adults and teenagers need.
• Use this chart for adults to see if you are up to date on your shots [PDF – 156 KB].
• If you are pregnant, check out this recommended immunization schedule [PDF – 188 KB].

Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) provides vaccinations by appointment only at our Lakewood clinic, 645 Parfet Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. There is an administrative fee of $21.68 per vaccine. Vaccine fees for adults and children vary depending on the vaccine requested and insurance coverage. Service will not be denied due to inability to pay for any childhood vaccine, and fees may be waived.  We can bill for Medicaid, CHP+, and a number of private insurances, please check when registering. Call 303-239-7078 for an appointment or visit the JCPH immunization website for more information.

Splish. Splash. Practice Healthy Swimming Behaviors This Summer!

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 illness, skin, respiratory, neurological and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Cryptosporidium, Girardia, 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 it 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.

For more information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention and Healthy Swimming, call 303-271-5700.
Information can also be found on the Centers for Disease Control web site at: www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming  

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

Preventing Animal-Borne Disease

Summer is here and with it comes increased risk of certain animal-borne diseases, like rabies for instance. Rabies is a disease casued by a virus that affects wild animals, domestic animals (like pets and livestock), and humans. Recently, rabies has been found in skunks in the state of Colorado and appears to be moving west towards the Denver metro area. This is something that concerns me and those of us in public health who spend their days monitoring, educating and reporting on animal-borne disease, or zoonosis. I’m David Volkel, environmental health specialist with Jefferson County Public Health’s Zoonosis Program. Throughout the summer, I’ll be sharing with you some of the reasons why I am so passionate about what I do and give you ways you can prevent animal-borne disease.

Animal control officers, veterinarians and pet owners are reminded to take all precautions when dealing with both domestic and wild animals. Since January, 2009 there have been 14 laboratory confirmed cases of skunk rabies in the following counties: Morgan (6), Yuma (4), Lincoln (1). Kiowa (1), Kit Carson (1) and El Paso (1). The most recent case of skunk rabies occurred in northeastern El Paso County. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has tested 22 animals for rabies so far in 2009 with three of those being bats. There have not been any positive tests for rabies yet but the possibility of rabies always exists.

These numbers mean there is an increased possibility that domestic pets may interact and become infected with rabies infected skunks or bats or other mammals. Every pet owner is urged to vaccinate their dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies.

Pet owners have an important role to play in preventing animal-borne diseases. Regular visits to the veternarian, staying up to date with vaccinations, keeping animals from roaming free are all important measures. Fortunately, the vaccination rate for dogs is fairly high because most muncipalities require a rabies vaccination for licenses, however cat vaccination rate has plenty of room for improvement. The lower vaccination rate for cats is because most muncipalities do not require cats to be licensed and there are many stray cats. Consider this, if a cat encounters a rabid bat or skunk and is not protected by a current rabies vaccination, the cat will be required to undergo a 180 day quarantine in a secure faclity (in an individual cage in a pet boarding faclity) or face euthanasia. If you feed a stray cat, by default, you are the cat owner and will be asked to make that decision. Getting your pets vaccinated, saves lives!

In addition to regular vaccination, keep you and your family safe from exposure to rabies and other diseases and parasites by not handling wild animals and instructing your children not to approach or touch wild animals. And, remember to keep bats out of your home by sealing all openings and keep screens (in good condition) on all doors and windows.

For more information on preventing animal-borne disease, please visit: http://www.health.jeffco.us/