People Who Left
Rabid Bat at Humane Society Found
El Paso County, Colorado -- The two people who
left a rabid bat at the Humane Society two weeks ago have been found and are
being evaluated by the Health Department's Disease Control Prevention and
Control experts.
"We are relieved that we are able to conduct a proper investigation of this
situation," said Marigny Klaber, M.S., communicable disease epidemiologist for
the Health Department.
The Health Department now requests:
1. Information related to the effort to find these people should be taken down
from community websites and replaced with updated information as contained in
this brief.
2. News media representatives who have previously helped by sending messages on
Facebook and Twitter about this situation, please send an update to your
followers.
3. Send this update to your family, friends and colleagues if you have
previously sent them information about this situation.
"We are so grateful for the efforts that our community partners, including
the Humane Society of the Pikes Region, colleges, health care practices, the
military, news media and concerned citizens provided in trying to reach these
individuals," said Kandi
Buckland, R.N., M.P.A, executive director of the Health Department.
Rabies is on the increase among animals in El Paso County and in Colorado.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. To protect your family and
your pets, it is critically important that dogs and cats be vaccinated against
rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Talk to
your veterinarian about vaccinating horses and other livestock.
Please
print and review this helpful pamphlet.
Rabies is an important topic and we have
lots of information
for you.
Come to Our FREE
Healthy Baby Fair on Saturday, Sept. 25 at The Citadel
Where can you do a bunch of fun activities with your children--explore a firetruck,
visit with McGruff the Crime Dog and enter drawings for baby care items--and
some important stuff, such as free dental screenings and fingerprinting for
children? The place is our free Healthy Baby Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday,
Sept. 25 on the lower level at The Citadel. Moms, dads, grandparents and all who
have babies in their lives are welcome!
Health Department staff
will be present to offer information about immunization, WIC, women's health,
care for children with special needs and much more.
One of the most important things you can learn at our Healthy Baby Fair is about
how to create a safe sleep environment to
protect your baby. This is important material
so please review it now.
Pertussis is a Serious Illness That Can be Prevented with Vaccination
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a contagious illness that can be very serious, especially for
infants too young to be vaccinated. Pertussis can appear like a serious cold
with a prolonged or severe cough. Listen to how pertussis
sounds. If you believe that you or your child has
pertussis, contact your health care provider right away.
Several states are reporting an increase in
pertussis cases, and California is experiencing a statewide epidemic of
pertussis.
The best way to protect babies is to start their vaccinations promptly under
the direction of your health care provider. The best way to protect infants too young to be vaccinated
themselves is to ensure that all adults around them are vaccinated against
pertussis.This includes DTaP vaccine for infants and children and Tdap booster
for adolescents and adults.
Please review our fact sheet
and additional information
and share it with family and friends.
Outbreak
of Salmonella Linked to Eggs and How to Protect Yourself
The Health Department is cooperating with federal officials in the investigation
of a multi-state outbreak of disease related to eggs.
How to tell if your eggs have been
recalled.
For more about
egg safety and salmonella.
Now is a Good T
ime to Get Your Seasonal Flu Shot
Some pharmacies are starting to get in their seasonal flu vaccine. While this is
earlier than in some past years, now is a good time to get your
seasonal flu shot! This year's seasonal flu vaccine does
contain protection
against the H1N1 flu and two other strains. You won't need a separate shot
for H1N1 flu protection this year.
Remember,
everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu shot every year. Here's
a complete guide to when and where you can get flu vaccination.