Monthly Archives: August 2016

Vaccines Can Protect You and Your Baby from Whooping Cough

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By Teresa Foo, MD, MPH
Medical Consultant
Divisions of Immunization and Acute Disease Epidemiology

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious disease that can cause serious illness and death, especially in newborns and young infants who are not fully vaccinated. Whooping cough is often thought of as a disease of the past.  While we no longer see the number of cases we did in the United States before whooping cough vaccines were available, it is a growing health concern.

Whooping cough can be serious for anyone, but it is life-threatening in newborns and young babies.  Up to 20 babies die each year in the United States due to whooping cough.  About half of babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough need treatment in the hospital.  The younger the baby is when he gets whooping cough, the more likely he will need to be treated in a hospital. It is important to know that many babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all. Instead it can cause them to stop breathing and turn blue.

Whooping cough vaccines are the safest and most effective way to prevent this disease. The whooping cough vaccine for children (2 months through 6 years) is called DTaP.  The vaccine that provides protection for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both of these vaccines provide protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

There are three ways you can protect your baby from whooping cough.

First, pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably between the 27th and 36th week.  This allows the mother to give her newborn the greatest number of protective antibodies and the best possible protection against whooping cough.

Second, make sure everyone who is around your baby is up to date with their whooping cough vaccines.  When a baby’s family members and caregivers get a whooping cough vaccine, they help protect their own health while forming a protective circle of immunity around the baby.  Many babies who get whooping cough catch it from siblings, parents or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.

Third, make sure your baby gets his or her vaccines on time.  Your baby will need several doses of DTaP vaccine for the best protection.  The first dose is recommended at age 2 months.  Your baby will need two more doses after that, given at 4 months and 6 months, to build up high levels of protection, and then booster shots at 15 through 18 months and at 4 through 6 years to maintain that protection.

Talk to your doctor about what vaccines you or your baby need.  For more information on protecting your baby from whooping cough, go to  www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/index.html

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DHEC urges South Carolinians to protect against mosquito bites in light of West Nile Virus identification

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Identification of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in South Carolina is a reminder of the importance of protecting against mosquito bites, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is urging residents to take precautions.

“The most important step anyone can take to prevent West Nile virus infection and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to protect against being bitten by a mosquito,” said Linda Bell, M.D., state epidemiologist.

So far this year in South Carolina, West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes at the Joint Base Charleston and the Shaw Air Force Base. It has also been detected in mosquitoes in Oconee, Sumter and York Counties. In addition to mosquitoes, DHEC has confirmed the first human cases of West Nile Virus in South Carolina this year.

“Most people infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms of illness,” said Dr. Bell. “About one in five people infected becomes ill within two to 14 days with symptoms including fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, and occasionally nausea and vomiting. Often they experience sensitivity to light and inflammation of the eyelids. Some may have a rash. The risk of serious illness is low. Less than one percent of people infected develop a potentially fatal swelling of the brain, known as encephalitis.”

Dr. Bell said that West Nile Virus is a disease of birds transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds.

DHEC recommends residents pay attention to the most effective ways to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses:

  • Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting.
  • Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure.
  • Exposure to mosquitoes is most common during the early morning. Some species bite during the day, especially in wooded or other shaded areas. Avoid exposure during these times and in these areas. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
  • Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.

  • For more information on how to prevent mosquito bites, click here.

For more information about WNV, visit www.scdhec.gov/westnile or the CDC’s page, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

New S.C. Active Mines Viewer App

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Did you know that there are 474 active mines in South Carolina? S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has launched a new web-based application to make it easier for the public to find, filter and download mining information across the state.

The S.C. Active Mines Viewer is a GIS map that displays the locations of all actively permitted mines in South Carolina to make it easier for the public to find information that is relevant to their community or business. The mines are categorized into eight mineral groups including clay, gold, granite, limestone, sand, sericite, shale and vermiculite.

The legend allows the user to view a specific mineral group or view all mines.

Active Mine Viewer Blog Legend Image

 

The search function allows the user to search by mine name, permit number, or by county.

Active Mine Viewer Blog Search Image

The table function allows the user to view a table of additional information about the mines, such as latitude and longitude, mineral group and type, and mine operator.

Active Mine Viewer Blog Table Image

The user can download this information and print a copy of the current map view.

Active Mine Viewer printable map

Whether you’re a public contractor looking for a source of construction materials or an interested constituent looking for information on what type of minerals are mined in your community, the S.C. Active Mines Viewer is an easy-to-use resource.

You can check out the app on your computer or mobile device by visiting: https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/activeminesviewer/

About Mining Regulations

Mining in South Carolina is regulated by the S.C. Mining Act, S.C. Code Ann. 48-20-10, et seq. (Rev. 2008). The Act ensures that all land and water associated with mine activity receive a practical degree of protection and restoration. DHEC is authorized to issue permits for mine operations and ensure that mines comply with laws and regulations.

For more information about mining regulation and permitting, visit www.scdhec.gov/Environment/LW/MiningandReclamation/.

 

Sproles Recognized for Flood Recovery Efforts

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Rebecca Sproles (center) served in the state’s Disaster Recovery Office from October 2015 until July 31, 2016. She is pictured here with Gov. Nikki Haley and State Disaster Recovery Coordinator Kevin Shwedo. 

A sense of hope from communities and her fellow South Carolinians. That’s what Rebecca Sproles will take away from her almost a year of working to help the state recover from the October 2015 floods.

“We had many volunteer agencies come into our state shortly after the flood water receded and immediately took action,” she said.  “These volunteers worked tirelessly, and still are, to help the citizens of South Carolina get back in their homes.  It has been rewarding to see whole communities coming together to help each other.”

A 15-year DHEC veteran who works in the Environmental Affairs Office of Applied Science and Community Engagement, Rebecca spent the past nine months serving full-time in the state Disaster Recovery Office. She was a liaison between DHEC, the Disaster Recovery Office and Long Term Recovery Committees.

Her duties included communicating DHEC’s mission regarding mold, mosquitoes and dams. She also answered questions about drinking water, wells and drainage issues and attended public meetings.

“Rebecca has done an amazing job carrying the DHEC banner in the disaster recovery effort,” said Environmental Affairs Director Myra Reece.  “I appreciate her willingness to take on this incredibly important task and representing the agency so well. We are happy to have her back with us in Environmental Affairs and look forward utilizing the knowledge and skills she obtained in this effort.”

Thank you, Rebecca, for your dedication to helping the Palmetto State in its time of need and for truly exemplifying DHEC’s core values of embracing service and pursuing excellence!

CDC offers K-12 schools guidance on Zika prevention and response

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It’s the beginning of yet another school year, and parents are rightly asking many questions in an effort to make sure students will get the best instruction, guidance and care possible.

What is the teacher’s homework policy and how often does he give tests? How much experience does the school nurse have? Where will medications be kept and how quickly will a student be able to access them if needed? What’s the school’s emergency dismissal plan?

What’s the plan to prevent and respond to the threat of Zika at school?

Wait. What was that? A plan for dealing with Zika? At school?

While parents are not used to asking that question, the fact is schools, like individual households, cities and counties and other entities, can’t ignore the potential spread of Zika.

But schools aren’t left to their own devices. The Centers for Disease Control has developed interim guidance for district leaders and administrators at K-12 schools. The guidance includes information for planning school-related activities and recommends actions schools, in consultation with local public health authorities and government officials, can take to reduce the potential risk for Zika virus transmission on school premises and among students.

CDC notes that there is no evidence that the risk for Zika being transmitted on school properties will be higher than in other local areas. The virus is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, through sexual contact, or from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

The CDC guidance, which will be updated as new information becomes available, provides an overview of the potential roles and responsibilities of public health authorities and school officials, describes prevention measures that schools can take to reduce mosquito exposure, and provides information on responding to a case of travel-associated Zika virus infection or confirmed local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus. Considerations for child care, camp and higher education settings also are addressed.

Click here for information on interim guidance for Zika response planning for district and school administrators.

The latest available Zika virus information, including answers to commonly asked questions, can be found here.

Information on mosquitoes and Zika can also be found at scdhec.gov/mosquitoes or scdhec.gov/zika.