Health

The Alabama Dept. of Public Health recommends flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, September 13th, 2012, 10:56am

The Alabama Dept. of Public Health recommends flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older against influenza as soon as the vaccine becomes available. The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness, and the CDC states the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated each year.

“Every flu season is different, and we recommend you receive a flu vaccine regardless of whether you had one last year,” Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said. “The CDC warns that even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.”

Influenza vaccination is especially recommended for the following people who are at higher risk of influenza-related complications.

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Statewide event and new competition highlight Alabama's celebration of National Recovery Month

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012, 9:03am

Statewide event and new competition highlight Alabama's celebration of National Recovery Month

ADMH is once again leading Alabama’s celebration of National Recovery Month. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Recovery Month seeks to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The observance celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery is possible.

As of 2010, 45.9 million Americans aged 18 or older had mental illnesses in the past year, and about 11.4 million of those adults had serious mental illnesses. Additionally, 22.1 million Americans aged 12 or older were classified with substance use disorders in the past year. About half of individuals with severe mental illnesses are also affected by substance abuse, a condition known as having a co-occurring disorder.

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Hurricane safety precautions from the Alabama Department of Public Health

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012, 10:49am

Hurricane safety precautions from the Alabama Department of Public Health

The Alabama Department of Public Health recommends all families in areas that may be affected by Hurricane Isaac take health and safety precautions.

State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson urges Alabamians to listen and follow warnings communicated through the news media.

Food Safety
Power outages prompt concerns about the safety of frozen and refrigerated foods. As a general rule, a full upright or chest freezer will keep foods frozen for about two days without power.

A partially full freezer will keep foods frozen for about one day. This time may be extended by keeping the door shut. A refrigerator will keep foods cool for four to six hours if the door is kept closed as much as possible.

Any thawed foods that have been at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded. Foods still containing ice crystals can be refrozen, although the quality of the food may decrease.

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ADPH cautions public to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012, 10:17am

ADPH cautions public to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses

The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions the public to protect themselves from West Nile virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). Eight confirmed cases of WNV have been reported in Alabama to date this season, and additional suspected cases will be investigated statewide.

When a person is infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment for these illnesses can substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to WNV will die.

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ADPH cautions public to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, August 13th, 2012, 10:44am

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported in the state this summer.

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McMillan advises horse owners to vaccinate for EEE and West Nile Virus

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, July 16th, 2012, 2:45pm

McMillan advises horse owners to vaccinate for EEE and West Nile Virus

Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan announced that since June, several positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been found in Alabama in birds and horses.

“We are entering into the time of year that makes us extremely vulnerable to the spread of mosquito-borne viruses and we need to protect our livestock and ourselves” stated McMillan. “I want to encourage horse owners to vaccinate their horses for both EEE and West Nile Virus as soon as possible.”

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Students ages 11 an older required to have Tdap vaccine

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, July 5th, 2012, 10:17am

Students ages 11 an older required to have Tdap vaccine

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal bacterial disease which has increased alarmingly in the past decade. To help provide protection, all students 11 years of age and older entering the sixth grade in Alabama schools during the 2012-2013 school year are required to have a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

Students entering the seventh and eighth grades during the 2012-2013 school year who did not receive the Tdap vaccination during the 2011-2012 school year are required to have the vaccination.

All students including those 11 years of age or older entering the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are required to have an up-to-date certificate of immunization.

The Tdap vaccine helps to protect adolescents from pertussis which will prevent spreading the disease to family members, other students and school staff. The Tdap school requirement will go up by one higher grade each school year.

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