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Teen Pregnancy Awareness Forum

Coming up next Monday evening, May 20^th, is a Teen Pregnancy Awareness Forum.  This event is hosted by the Montgomery County Healthy Community Coalition  Teen Pregnancy Workgroup.  This workgroup resulted from the 2012 Community Health Assessment that was organized and supported by the Health Department.  The purpose of the event is to increase community awareness of the high rate of teen pregnancy in our county, the risks to mother and baby and the social costs to all of us.  The group will also be asking for community feedback regarding next steps for decreasing our rate, which is higher than any contiguous county except for Powell.  For more information contact Jennifer Gulley at (859) 498-3808 for more information or click here.

What you need to know about NOVOVIRUS.

According to Montgomery County Health Department officials, no confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported in Montgomery County, contrary to recent media reports.

Public Health Director Jan Chamness said that although there have been complaints of gastrointestinal illness in the community, there are no reports of norovirus. “We see this type of illness every year in our community; however, we have no indication that this season is worse than any other. In speaking with the news media, we were attempting to provide educational information about how to avoid illness. Unfortunately that message seems to have been interpreted incorrectly, and it was reported that Montgomery County has cases of norovirus, when we do not.”

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can spread quickly and can be contracted through contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes stomach and intestinal inflammation and can lead to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The illness can also cause fever, headache and body aches.

Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick, however the virus can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. Health officials said the main danger of norovirus is dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat and dizziness. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

Most people with norovirus get better within one to three days.

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes about 21 million illnesses and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.

The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.

For more information about norovirus visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Norovirus/

Medical Reserve Corps Celebrates 10 Years!

Happy New Year!  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Medical Reserve Corps, which was announced during President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address, and officially launched as a demonstration project in July of 2002. Over these past ten years, we have seen the program grow to over 200,000 volunteers in almost 1,000 units across the country—ready to respond to emergencies and building resiliency in thousands of local communities through prevention, preparedness and public health activities.  Full Story