Saguache County Public Health wishes you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice preparing your first Thanksgiving meal, be aware of safety issues when thawing, preparing, stuffing and cooking your turkey.
Click here for some safety tips.
Posted: November 20, 2008, 06:08:37 PM
New Television Public Service Announcement Highlights the Dangers of Flu: Mom Shares How the Virus Took Her Baby's Life
DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and The Children's Hospital has issued a television public service announcement warning residents about the dangers of influenza. The announcement, which aired Nov. 10 and will run through Dec. 31, features a mother whose 6-month-old died after being infected with the influenza virus in 2003.
Julie Moise, the mother featured in the public service announcement, said, "Since losing my son, Ian, I have dedicated my life to warning parents about how dangerous the flu can be. People often tell me that they do not get sick much, so they don't need a vaccination. What they're not understanding is that they can give the flu to their loved ones even if they don't feel sick themselves. Older people and babies are especially vulnerable to this disease."
Dr. Christine Nyquist, an infectious disease expert from The Children's Hospital in Denver, who also is featured in the announcement, said, "We see so many children each year that are hospitalized due to influenza. This disease is vaccine preventable, so it's important that people are vaccinated so that everyone can be kept safe from the flu."
The public service announcement is sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and The Children's Hospital of Denver.
An ample supply of influenza vaccine is allowing more people to be protected against the flu during the 2008-09 flu season. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a very contagious respiratory illness that can lead to serious health complications and sometimes death.
"The single best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get the flu vaccine," said Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. "More available vaccine means more protection for the most vulnerable people in our communities, such as babies, the elderly and those with certain health problems."
To better protect the public, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now is recommending that all eligible children ages 6 months through 18 years receive the influenza vaccine. Prior to this season the recommendation was for ages 6 months to 6 years. Immunizing more children against the flu better protects the entire community against an outbreak of flu. By preventing these children from getting sick, family members also are protected, as well as the other people these children come in contact with on a daily basis.
Every year in the United States about 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die. Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious flu complications.
In addition to the health impact from the flu, the disease also can carry with it huge financial costs for persons who miss work due to their illness or the illness of a family member. According to the CDC, studies show adults receiving flu vaccine have 27 percent fewer missed workdays due to illness.
Vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available for use in the United States this season. This is an all-time high supply of vaccine, making it possible for more people than ever to seek protection from the flu.
The flu season typically peaks in January or February. People can receive the influenza vaccine now and still have immunity through the season, which generally ends in March. For flu vaccine clinic information, visit www.immunizecolorado.com or call 1-877-462-2911.
Click here to read the full article.
Posted: November 18, 2008, 03:33:46 PM
FDA Reports Nationwide Recall of Mislabeled ReliOn Insulin Syringes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is notifying health care professionals and patients that Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) is recalling one lot of ReliOn sterile, single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed hypodermic needles due to possible mislabeling. The use of these syringes may lead to patients receiving an overdose of as much as 2.5 times the intended dose, which may lead to hypoglycemia, serious health consequences, and even death.
The recall applies to the following lot number and product information:
-- Lot Number 813900
-- ReliOn 1cc, 31-gauge, 100 units for use with U-100 insulin
Only ReliOn syringes from this lot number and labeled as 100 units for use with U-100 insulin are the subject of the recall.
These syringes are distributed by Can-Am Care Corp and sold only by Wal-Mart at Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs under the ReliOn name. Wal-Mart requests that all users of ReliOn 31-gauge, 1cc syringes return those labeled as 100 units for use with U-100 insulin from Lot Number 813900 to their local Wal-Mart store or Sam's Club pharmacy. Customers will be provided with replacement product.
The FDA urges patients and health care professionals to check their syringe packaging carefully for syringes labeled as 100 units for use with U-100 insulin from Lot Number 813900.
Consumers and health care professionals who suspect they have the recalled product may also contact Covidien at 866-780-5436 or www.relion.com/recall for more information.
ReliOn Insulin Syringes consist of a syringe barrel, a plunger rod, and a hypodermic needle attached to the tip of the syringe.
During the packaging process for this lot, some syringes labeled for use with U-40 insulin were mixed with syringes labeled for use with U-100 insulin, then all packaged individually and in boxes as 100 units for use with U-100 insulin.
The manufacturer has distributed 4,710 boxes in the recalled lot, which equals 471,000 individual syringes. Wal-Mart sold the syringes at Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs from Aug. 1, 2008, until Oct. 8, 2008.
Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) voluntarily recalled this lot of syringes on Oct. 9, 2008, asking that any units of the affected product be removed from inventory and placed in quarantine. Wal-Mart posted the recall announcement in Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs, as well as on its Web site, and sent letters to more than 16,500 customers notifying them of the recall.
The manufacturer has received one adverse report related to a syringe from this product lot.
Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.
--Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
--Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
--Fax: (800) FDA-0178
--Phone: (800) FDA-1088
To see the full article click here.
Posted: November 06, 2008, 08:14:50 AM
Flu Vaccine Available
Saguache County Public Health has received the influenza vaccine.
Please call the main number 655-2533 for details and clinic hours.
You do not need an appointment however please call ahead to assure availability.
Clinics will be held in Center as well.
Children 6 months to 18 years - $5.00
Adults - $15.00
Medicare part B accepted
Posted: October 07, 2008, 12:14:23 PM
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