Health Beat 2005

Cattaraugus County Health Department Newsletter
"Public Health for Healthy Communities"

June 07, 2005

Edition
Spring / Summer 2005
Volume
5
Number
2

Commonly asked questions of the Health Department

Question I have read a great deal about the dangers of petting zoos. Can you tell me how to prevent illness when visiting animal exhibits?

Answer To prevent illness at any animal exhibit, caution should be used. It is important to realize that interaction with animals can be safe if proper precautions are taken. Please turn to page 5 for the complete article about animal exhibits.

Question I am concerned about West Nile Virus. What birds can be submitted for testing for the disease?

Answer Spring is the ideal time to be on the lookout for dead birds that may need to be submitted for tracking West Nile Virus. The Cattaraugus County Health Department asks residents to focus on members of the Crow family, that is the Crow, Northern Raven and Blue Jay. The best dead bird specimen is one that is in good condition, having not died from an identifiable trauma such as another predator, gunshot or vehicle. Deteriorated birds will not be submitted for testing. When handling a dead bird, use rubber gloves or turn a plastic bag inside out, over your hand, to pick up the bird. The bird needs to be refrigerated or iced down to slow down decomposition process. The bird may then be brought to a Health Department Office during regular business hours. For information regarding West Nile Virus, please turn to page 3.

Question How can I prevent West Nile Virus?

Answer Now is the time to work around your home to protect your home and family from West Nile Virus. There are things you can do to lessen your chance of contracting the disease. Please turn to page 3 for the complete article.

Question I need more information regarding the Chickenpox vaccine (Varicella) that my child must have. Can you explain it?

Answer There are new requirements that parents must be aware of. Students born on or after January 1, 1994, and who enroll in the 6th grade at the beginning of the 2005 - 2006 school year must be immunized against varicella. Exemptions from this requirement include the following: - A history of varicella disease as documented by a health care provider. Parental recall of the disease is not sufficient, and will not be accepted as proof of immunity; - A medical exemption consisting of a written statement from a physician licensed to practice in the State of New York stating that there is a valid medical contraindication to varicella vaccine. A copy of the exemption must be retained by the school; - A statement of religious exemption written by the parent, parents, or guardian of the child stating that they hold sincere and genuine religious belief(s) which prohibit the immunization of the child. A copy of the immunization must be retained by the school. Secular principles, including philosophical exemptions are not allowed; or - serologic proof of immunity to varicella.

Lyme Disease Awareness

The sun is warm, the trees are budding, the days are longer and everything in the spring season is inviting you to put on a short sleeved shirt, slip into your walking shoes and enjoy the outdoors. Take advantage of the warm weather as much as you can, but remember that the risk of Lyme disease is present throughout New York State.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department reminds everyone to think about protecting yourself and your family while enjoying outdoor activities.

Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Ticks are active once the weather stays above freezing. In tick-prone areas, any contact with vegetation, even playing in the yard, can result in exposure to ticks.

Lyme disease can have serious complications if it is not identified and treated early. The most noticeable early sign of Lyme disease is a rash resembling a bull's-eye, or solid patch, which usually, but not always, develops between 3 and 30 days after the tick bite.

The rash often expands over time and can last for several weeks. In some cases, no rash appears, while in other cases, there are multiple rashes. The rash does not normally itch or feel painful.

Other symptoms of early Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and joint paint. If you notice these signs or symptoms, consult a health care provider immediately.

Insect repellents can reduce your risk of Lyme disease. Follow the label directions carefully and do not allow children to apply insect repellents themselves.

One of the most effective ways to avoid Lyme disease is to check your body for ticks at the end of each day. Check your entire body, paying particular attention to the backs of knees, behind ears, the scalp area, armpits and your back.

It is important that a tick be removed as soon as it is discovered. If the tick is removed within 36 hours, the risk of Lyme disease is greatly reduced.

If you find a tick attached to your body, remove it by taking the following steps:

Contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about incomplete tick removal. Record the date and location of the tick bite. If a rash appears or you experience flu-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. To learn more about Lyme disease, call the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 716-373-8050.

West Nile Virus - What you need to know

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis, is now established across the United States. Here in New York, where West Nile Virus was first detected in 1999, it remains a concern as warm weather approaches.

West Nile virus can cause serious health problems and can even kill. Individuals aged 50 and over are at highest risk for serious illness. The Cattaraugus County Health Department wants you to have the information you need to protect yourself.

Because West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes, protecting yourself against mosquito bites is the best way to avoid the transmission of the disease.

Adult Mosquito

Mosquitoes are generally thought of as merely a nuisance, but occasionally a mosquito bite can transmit disease. There are about 70 different mosquito species in New York State, yet only a handful of them can transmit West Nile virus. Some mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn when the air is calm. However, others will feed at any time of day.

Many mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus lay their eggs in stagnant water around the home.

Any standing water around the yard can provide a home for mosquitoes to breed. Mosquitoes can then enter houses through broken screens or unscreened windows or doors.

Mosquitoes can breed in any stagnant water that lasts more than four days.

To reduce the mosquito population around your home and property, the Cattaraugus County Health Department advises you to take the following steps to reduce or eliminate standing water:

Most mosquitoes do not transmit disease. Although it is not necessary to limit any outdoor activities, you can reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

To avoid mosquito bites:

Pets can occasionally get West Nile virus from mosquuito bites, but seldom get sick. Horses are more susceptible to serious illnes from West Nile virus than are dogs and cats. Natural infection of a pet by contacting or eating an infected dead bird has not been documented.

For more information on West Nile virus, call the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 716-373-8050 or 1-800-251-2584 or visit the New York State Department of Health's web site at www.health.state.ny.us.

Be Safe in the Sun

Year-round protection from sun exposure is important, even before the strongest rays of summer arrive. The Cattaraugus County Health Department reminds you that simple precautions at any time of the year help protect you and your family from skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun.

The sun emits harmful ultraviolet rays (UV-A and UV-B), which we cannot see. Long-term, unprotected exposure to these UV rays causes up to 90 percent of all skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. It is important to start from childhood to protect against skin cancer.

Most of a person's lifetime skin damage, which increases the risk for skin cancer, occurs before the age of 18. Remember, sunburned or tanned skin is damaged skin. Even if a child's sunburn or tan fades, the damage caused by that tan or burn does not.

The damage keeps adding up with each sunburn or tan and may one day result in skin cancer. No matter how hard adults work at protecting their skin, the sun damage they received as children cannot be undone.

The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department recommends these simple steps for sensible sun protection:

Be especially careful to protect children from the sun on cloudy or hazy days. Clouds do not block most UV rays. Also, be careful around surfaces, such as sand, cement and water that can reflect the sun's damaging rays on the skin.

When out in the sun be aware of the effects of certain medications. Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun.

Use sunscreen to reduce exposure to the sun's harmful rays.

For more information about skin cancer and protecting yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays, call the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 716-373-8050 or 1-800-251-2584 or visit the New York Health Department's web site at www.health.state.ny.us.

Water Safety during an Emergency

Most of us take a never-ending supply of safe drinking water for granted. But in an emergency, safe water may be one of the first necessities of life that is imperiled.

In the event of an emergency that affects the public water supply, you may be warned that there is a "boil water advisory in effect." It is important to you and your family that you understand what this means, and how you can make water safe to drink.

Your water supply can become contaminated as a result of a flood. Water can become unsafe if sewage, soil or chemicals are added to it.

If you drink unsafe drinking water, you can experience diarrhea, cramps, headache, vomiting, or other symptoms. When unsafe water enters an open wound or cut, it may cause an infection. It is critical to your well-being that you know how to keep your water safe to drink.

A typical adult should drink two quarts of water a day. Very hot weather can double the requirement for water. Children, nursing mothers and the elderly will need more.

If your municipality institutes a boil water advisory, remember there are two simple ways you can make water safe to drink.

Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes and let the water cool before drinking. To improve its taste, put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers.

Although boiling is best, if you are not able to boil your water, consider this alternative. Disinfect water by adding eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Stir, and let the water stand for 30 minutes.

In an emergency, listen to your radio and television for further instruction. For more information on water safety during an emergency, call the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 716-373-8050 or 1-800-251-2584 or visit the New York State Department of Health's web site at www.health.state.ny.us.

Stay Healthy at Animal Exhibits

In light of several recent incidences of illness among children in the state of Florida, the Cattaraugus County Health Department reminds residents to use caution at any animal exhibits this spring and summer. From watching events at the rodeo to petting animals at the County Fair, there are many ways children may learn and interact with animals and still be safe.

There are many diseases that may be transmitted to people from animals or parasites from animals, including Rabies, E-Coli, Giardiasis, and Salmonellosis.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department recommends the following tips to help you and your family prevent illness when visiting any animal exhibits:

For more information, please contact the Health Department at 716-373-8050 or 1-800-251-2584.

Rabies

In 2004, there were 546 laboratory confirmed reports of rabid animals in New York State. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is present in the saliva and nerve tissue of an infected animal and is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. State and local health departments are working to increase public awareness of rabies through public service announcements, education materials and holding pet vaccination clinics. It is advised that anyone who has been bitten, scratched or had contact with the saliva or nerve tissue of a potentially-infected animal undergo a month-long series of rabies shots if the animal is rabid or is not available for testing. Because bats have small, sharp teeth that may not leave a visible bite mark, any contact involves increased risk for rabies. Picking up a bat may result in exposure even if someone is not aware that they have been bitten. In addition to direct physical contact, unrecognized exposure indoors would be a particular concern if a bat was found in a room with a person sleeping or an unattended child. When handling a bat, always wear gloves and avoid direct skin contact with the animal. Bats should be tested for rabies if there is a potential for exposure. Rabies post-exposure treatment may be unnecessary if bats are captured and test negative for rabies.

Dogs, cats and livestock are more susceptible to contracting rabies if they come in close contact with a rabid animal and their rabies vaccinations are not up-to-date. New York State Public Health Law mandates rabies vaccinations for all cats, dogs and domesticated ferrets. Deer and large rodents, such as woodchucks, can also contract rabies.

If bitten or potentially exposed to a rabid animal you should:

If you have questions about possible exposure to rabid animals or bats, please contact the Health Department or the State Health Department at www.nyhealth.gov

Did you know

The Cattaraugus County Health Department Laboratory is a full service, New York State certified, clinical laboratory. The convenient location at the County Office Building at 1 Leo Moss Drive in Olean has accommodating hours with no or minimum waiting with experienced phlebotomists and courteous, friendly staff. The Lab offers direct billing to participating insurances which include Medicare, Medicaid, Fidelis, RMSCO, North American, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Traditional Blue and others. The Lab also has reasonable rates and payment plans for those without insurance.

To schedule an appointment, please call 716-373-8055. When your physician orders lab testing for blood work, urine tests or cultures, why not see for yourself what others are discovering — The Cattaraugus County Lab cares about your health!

Free Diapers!

Baby wearing a diaper

You can get free diapers for up to a year. If you are pregnant and quit smoking while pregnant and stay quit, you will be eligible to receive free diapers for up to a year after the birth of the baby. There are no income eligibility restrictions! To receive an appplication, please call the Health Department. Other requirements include participating in the Tobacco Control smoking cessation program and taking a simple breath test to verify non-smoking status. The breath test will continue on a monthly basis to qualify for the diapers. Call for details.

Pregnancy is a perfect time to quit smoking. If you avoid tobacco, you may:

Give your baby a healthy start by not smoking and get free diapers as a bonus. It's a winning combination!