Monthly Archives: June 2016

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

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There’s no overstating the role local governments play — or should play — in protecting citizens from mosquito-borne illnesses: They provide the first line of defense.

All communities need mosquito control programs

It’s National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, and it’s a good time to remind local officials of the need to be vigilant in protecting citizens amid continuing concern over the potential spread of Zika virus as well as other mosquito-borne illnesses.

It’s important for local officials to have mosquito control plans in place. No, every jurisdiction won’t be able to afford to provide the highest level of service, but they all can and should have some level of program. In areas where funding is a challenge, the key is to focus on public education and eliminating water-filled containers where mosquitoes breed.

While larger, more costly programs tend to have the elements in place to effectively combat mosquitoes, smaller programs also can do a credible job of protecting their citizens.

That was on display at the April 19 South Carolina Zika Forum where DHEC and its partners convened state and local officials to discuss Zika virus and resources available to local governments in recognition of their role as the front-line defense against the spread of any mosquito-borne viruses. Two very different yet effective mosquito control programs made presentations — a large one operated by Beaufort County and a smaller one operated by the city of Hartsville.

Different communities, same mosquito-prevention mission

In some ways, Beaufort County and Hartsville couldn’t be more different. Beaufort is an affluent, sizeable coastal county that covers nearly 600 square miles and is home to 180,000 residents. Hartsville is a small town in the Pee Dee with a population of roughly 7,900.

While they are of a different size, scope and region, the two communities have something in common when it comes to mosquito control. Both are being proactive in developing and implementing mosquito control programs that focus on citizen education, community outreach, mosquito surveillance, habitat elimination and integrating use of Environmental Protection Agency-regulated insecticides where appropriate. Both have developed Zika response plans.

Beaufort County’s program has a staff commensurate to meeting the needs of a large county that includes four municipalities as well. Beaufort is more aggressive about spraying to control mosquitoes. Its certified personnel employ state-of-the-art ground and aerial application equipment. The aircraft includes a plan — an OV-10 D Bronco — and a helicopter – an MD-500 D. In addition, it has seven spray trucks. The county also has a Mosquito Control Mobile Reporting App that allows citizens and visitors to report mosquito problems as well as dead birds for testing of possible West Nile Virus infections.

See Beaufort County’s mosquito control presentation from the SC Zika Forum.

Hartsville’s program, which is significantly smaller, focuses on controlling with mosquitoes within the city. The program is just a few years old and all the duties of mosquito control are handled by a two-man crew.

Hartsville puts heavy emphasis on education, outreach and source reduction. It also emphasizes that for mosquito control to be effective, the program must communicate with all city departments, including codes enforcement, utilities and environmental services.

While Hartsville doesn’t have a large, well-funded program, its staff is resourceful. For example, they instituted a bike program to conduct larviciding — the process of using biological agents to kill larvae — around storm drains and open ditches. Mounting bikes not only gets the job done, but it draws attention from the public and emphasizes the need for mosquito control.

See Hartsville’s mosquito control presentation from the SC Zika Forum.

Take time to learn more

 

Stay Healthy on Famously Hot Days

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South Carolina is a beautiful place to spend the summer months, but it can be quite hot at times, too. Heat can cause health problems for some of us, and can even be deadly. Stay cool and prevent heat-related health issues. It’s your best defense.

Although anyone, at any time, can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illnesses, but it can be troubling. Be aware of the warning signs of heat exhaustion, which can include heavy sweating, cramps, dizziness and nausea. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress into heat stroke.

You should seek immediate medical help if your symptoms become severe or you have heart problems or high blood pressure.

Tips:

  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages (and those directed by your physician), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar. These beverages actually cause your body to LOSE more fluids! Avoid very cold drinks, too, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If you must be outside when temps are high, avoid prolonged exposure by seeking shade or air conditioning every hour or so.
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but fans will not prevent heat-related illness in extremely hot weather. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place, is a much better way to cool off.
  • If your home does not have air conditioning, go to public places with A/C during the heat of the day – someplace like a library or shopping mall. This is especially important for those in high-risk groups like the elderly who easily suffer health effects from being in the heat for prolonged periods.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave children or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.

Safe Kids York County temp sign
For more information about preventing heat-related illnesses, visit www.scdhec.gov/Health/DiseasesandConditions/HeatRelatedIllness/.

Travelers Should Follow Zika Precautions

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South Carolinians traveling to areas of the world affected by the Zika virus should protect themselves and their families from Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Zika virus is currently circulating in several areas of the world, including countries and territories in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, the Pacific Islands and Cape Verde. It, along with other viruses, can be acquired from the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that pregnant women in particular should not travel to areas with active Zika transmission as the virus may cause serious birth defects. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other health care professional first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

“We strongly advise that anyone – especially pregnant women – planning to travel be aware of the countries where Zika virus is circulating,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said. “In addition, travelers should consult with a health care provider and follow recommendations on avoiding mosquito bites to prevent all illnesses carried by mosquitoes.”

If you are traveling to a country where there is active Zika transmission, avoid mosquito bites by wearing EPA-approved repellent, wearing protective clothing and staying in facilities with air conditioning or with good window and door screens whenever possible.

Upon returning to the United States, continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks, even if you don’t feel sick, to prevent possible spread of Zika to uninfected mosquitoes.

Sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is possible, so men who have lived or traveled to areas with Zika and their partners should take special precautions to prevent spreading the virus. Pregnant women should avoid sexual contact with men who have recently been in an area with active Zika transmission or use a condom the right way every time. Women and men with possible exposure to Zika virus but no symptoms of Zika virus disease should wait at least eight weeks after exposure before trying to get pregnant.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 600 travel-related cases of Zika virus in the United States, including one confirmed case in South Carolina as of June 10, 2016. In all of these cases the virus was acquired while traveling to a country where Zika is spreading or sexually transmitted by someone who had acquired the virus while traveling. The virus is not currently known to be carried by mosquitoes in the United States.

Helpful information on travel and pregnancy can be found by viewing the following:

For more information on CDC travel advisories, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/.

For additional information on Zika, visit www.scdhec.gov/Zika.

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Healthy fathers make Father’s Day happier

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Father’s Day in the United States is always held on the third Sunday of June and people across the country take time to celebrate the contribution fathers and those who serve as father figures make daily in the lives of their children.

While fathers should enjoy the gifts and glory that come with Father’s Day, they also should give themselves and their families a gift in return: a lifelong dedication to healthy living.

Fathers, that means taking good care of yourself. Men are at a higher risk than women for many deadly health conditions and die an average of five years younger than women, so it’s important to be proactive. Eat right. Exercise regularly. Visit the doctor. Stay healthy and strong in mind and body. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy being the best dad you can be:

QuitSmokingFathersDay

Live tobacco free

Old habits die hard, but even worse they can get picked up by your kids who look up to you. Tobacco use increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and infertility. Whether you smoke, dip or vape, quitting tobacco today will make a difference you can feel. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit www.scdhec.gov/QuitForKeeps for free 24/7 help from trained Quit Coaches.

Make mental wellness a priority

Being a dad can sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but you don’t need to feel like you are carrying a burden alone. Depression often goes undiagnosed in male patients and men are four times more likely to commit suicide. Visit your doctor, talk to a trusted friend and ask questions so you can get help feeling your best.

Eat well

Eating right means establishing a daily diet that includes a variety of fruits, dark green, starchy and other vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals. If you have a history of prediabetes or diabetes, limit your starches. Eat a variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), and nuts, seeds and soy products. Stick to fat-free or low-fat dairy, limit fried dishes and skip saturated fats altogether.

Get moving

Find a new hobby or make time for your favorite one and build up your energy and your strength by doing something you love. Running, swimming, hiking, golf, soccer, fencing, tennis, paddling, walking man’s best friend or even yard work are all great ways to get outside, enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise. Make time for yourself – 30 minutes five days a week is recommended.

Stay on schedule

No one likes going to the doctor, but regular check-ups can actually help you see a doctor less by keeping you healthy before problems start. Follow suggested checkup and screening guidelines.

With proper rest, diet, exercise and other preventive health measures, men can live longer, happier lives. And that, for sure, would make for many more Happy Father’s Days to come.

World Sickle Cell Day Shines Light on Need for Support, Services

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Malerie Hartsell, MPH, CHES
Program Coordinator
Children with Special Health Care Needs

Each summer, children with sickle cell disease spend a week at Camp Burnt Gin in Wedgefield, South Carolina, enjoying a fun camping experience while learning about the blood disorder, treatment and ways to manage the disease.

The experience is a result of a partnership between the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) program and Palmetto Health, which conducts educational activities during the week that foster disease management, positive self-esteem, confidence and independence, while giving the youngsters a positive childhood experience.

“I used to think I was different from everyone else,” one young camper told CSHCN Program Manager, Jessica Drennan last summer during camp. “But then I came to camp and made friends with people just like me. We can go swimming and play basketball and have fun like all the other kids.”

That’s what efforts such as that at Camp Burnt Gin and World Sickle Cell Day are all about: helping those diagnosed with this disease live as normal a life as possible.

World Sickle Cell Day, which is June 19, seeks to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the struggles those diagnosed with the disease and their families go through as well as support and encourage research, treatment and management of the disorder.

 What is SCD? SCD is a blood disorder that causes sickling of the red blood cells, which diminishes the amount of oxygen the red blood cell can carry throughout the body.  Persons who have SCD suffer from crises — episodes of intense and excruciating pain that may be in one or multiple parts of the body when sickle-shaped red blood cells become stuck in a blood vessel and cause a disruption of blood flow in that particular area.  While people are most familiar with sickle cell anemia, someone can also have sickle cell thalassemia, sickle beta thalassemia, or one of the other variations of sickle cell.  The different types of sickle cell are caused by different genetic mutations.

People born with the sickle cell trait usually do not have the symptoms of sickle cell disease, but they could pass the trait on to their children. If one parent has the trait and the other does not, their children won’t inherit SCD but each has a 50 percent chance of having the trait. If both parents have the trait, each of their children has a 50 percent chance of carrying the trait and a 25 percent chance of having SCD.

Who is affected?

While sickle cell disease affects millions of people throughout the world, it is more common among African-Americans. It is estimated that SCD affects 100,000 people in the United States.

 How is DHEC involved?

Under the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, Division of Children’s Health and the DHEC Lab, the Newborn Screening Program includes tests for SCD, sickle C disease, sickle B thalassemia, and variant hemoglobinopathy disorders and traits, including sickle cell trait.  After a diagnosis is confirmed,  the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program assists South Carolinians by covering medical service expenses, such as physician visits, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, prescription drugs, information and/or referral, and support services. In addition, they provide care coordination, information and referral and support services.

Through partnerships with four community based organizations — the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation, the L.D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the Orangeburg Area Sickle Cell Foundation and the COBRA Human Services Agency Sickle Cell Program — more persons with sickle cell are able to obtain services and support.  These organizations work tirelessly to provide education and counseling, testing for sickle cell trait, family support and education for hospital staff.