Author: Ariana Lawrence

Each year upwards to 22,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer.

We’ve given away our supply of free test kits BUT the NC Radon Program is making a limited supply of FREE radon test kits available.

Go to www.ncradon.org to order your free kit.

Tell them you heard about it from Alamance County Environmental Health!

As the turning of the seasons brings colder weather to North Carolina and families close windows to keep warm, it is an excellent time to make plans for radon testing in your home.

Radon is the odorless, colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The effects upon the families it touches can be just as devastating as lung cancer caused by smoking tobacco.

January is National Radon Action Month.

Each year upwards to 22,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer. Roughly 54 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer are expected to live no more than five years after diagnosis.

Alamance County Environmental Health is partnering with the NC Radon program to provide free short-term radon test kits in recognition of National Radon Action Month. A limited supply of radon test kits are being made available locally during the month of January at Environmental Health located at 209 N. Graham Hopedale Rd in Burlington

. Please call 336-570-6367 ext. 310 if you have questions.

Approximately 7,000 kits are being distributed statewide. Only one kit per home is needed to determine if your home has a high level. The North Carolina Radon Program website, www.ncradon.org, will have a list of all 83 participating organizations across North Carolina. The NC Radon Program website will also have a limited supply of kits available. Once the supply of free kits have been exhausted, the NC Radon Program website will return to providing short-term radon test kits at a reduced cost of $5.34, a kit retails at $15.00.

North Carolina Radon Program Fact Sheet:

The North Carolina Radon Program of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services educates families and homeowners about radon gas, how to test for radon gas and how to lower the radon levels within a home. Lowering the radon levels in a home lowers the risk of lung cancer.

The North Carolina Radon Program website also contains a new mobile application. Meant to particularly help real estate brokers working in North Carolina, the mobile application (app) will assist the user in determining how many tests have been conducted within a zip code as well as the highest radon level recorded in that zip code. The user of the app will also be able to locate a certified professional to assist them in testing or fixing the radon issue in their home.

The cost of lowering radon levels in a home averages to about $1,500. The North Carolina Radon Protection Section sought help for families that might struggle to meet that expense. The Self Help Credit Union stepped up and created a loan program specifically for radon mitigation. North Carolina homeowners who meet federal poverty criteria may be eligible for forgivable loans from local programs. A link to more information is available on the NC Radon Program web page.

Lung cancer can strike anyone, even a nonsmoker. Test your home for radon and lower your family’s risk of lung cancer. For more information, visit www.ncradon.org .

BURLINGTON – Flu season is upon us and the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) wants you to protect yourself and your families. Beginning Monday, September 22, the health department will begin offering seasonal flu shots to the public.

This year, the health department will be providing the following vaccine options to the public (while supplies last):

Quadrivalent flu vaccine injection which covers four strains of influenza

 Flu mist which is the nasal spray live vaccine and only for ages 2-49 years

 Flublok flu vaccine injection which is recommended for people with egg allergies that are ages 18-49 years

 High Dose Trivalent vaccine which covers three strains and is recommended for people over 65 years

One shot is all most people will need. Children under age 9, who have not previously been vaccinated against the flu, may need two doses.

The cost of the seasonal Flu Mist and Quadrivalent vaccine is $25.00. The cost of the Flublok and High Dose Trivalent is $35.00. Uninsured children less than 19 years old are eligible for free vaccine. Insured children less than 19 years old whose insurance does not cover the cost of a flu shot may be eligible for free flu vaccine.

The health department can bill Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurances. Shots will be given

by appointment, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), at the following times:

8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Stay healthy this season by getting the flu shot. Don’t forget to wash your hands often, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick to help stop the spread of illness. For an appointment or more information, call the health department at 336-227-0101.

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s fifth rabies case for the year.

On September 1, five dogs fought with a raccoon on Pleasant Hill Church Road in southern Alamance County near the Chatham County line. The raccoon was tested and found to be positive for rabies. All five dogs involved were up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. The dogs were given rabies booster vaccinations on September 3 and will need no further intervention.

This is the second positive rabies case in this area of the county in the past few weeks. On August 15, another raccoon tested positive for rabies. Three of the dogs involved in the September 1 case were also involved in the August 15 case.

“These pet owners have kept their dogs up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and, because of that, their dogs are running and playing freely today,” stated Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll. “It’s important for all pet owners to maintain current rabies vaccinations on pets. It is the law in North Carolina.”

If you are bitten by any animal:

•Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

•Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.

•Do not try to catch any wild animal.

In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide. For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

The Board of Health is pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Health Director to Stacie Saunders, MPH, and she has accepted. Her effective start date is Monday, August 25, 2014. This announcement completes a six month search process which reviewed applications from 76 individuals. The search committee interviewed seven highly qualified candidates and selected two finalists, who were interviewed by the full board at their meeting on August 19, 2014.

“The Board of Health took this responsibility seriously and spent many hours reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. We are very pleased to announce a new Health Director with this caliber of leadership, commitment and passion for excellence,” states Board of Health chair Kent Tapscott.

Stacie Saunders has led the Alamance County Health Department as interim Health Director since March 2014, after the retirement of previous Health Director Barry Bass. Ms. Saunders previously served as a Health Educator and as Health Education Supervisor at the Alamance County Health Department.

Ms. Saunders is a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and holds a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She has had published commentary featured in the NC Medical Journal and is a recent graduate of the UNC School of Government LGFCU FELLOWS program.

“I’m honored and humbled to be offered this opportunity in the community that I love and where my family has made our home. I will work with our Health Department leaders, from the front-line staff to managers, to develop a unified vision for a healthy future for Alamance County, and work with all our partners to achieve it,” states Ms. Saunders.

Ms. Saunders serves on the Project LAUNCH Wellness Committee, Children’s Executive Oversight Committee, Alamance Partnership for Children Board and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Ms. Saunders resides in Mebane with her husband, Chris, and two children.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2014

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s fourth rabies case for the year.

On August 15, three dogs fought with a raccoon on Pleasant Hill Church Road in southern Alamance County near the Chatham County line. The raccoon was tested and found to be positive for rabies. All three dogs involved were up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. The dogs were given booster rabies vaccinations on Friday and will need no further intervention.

Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll stated, “Because the owners of these three dogs kept their vaccinations up-to-date, the pets continue to enjoy life as part of that family. We urge all pet owners to stay current on vaccinations. It is North Carolina law.”

If you are bitten by

any animal:

•Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

•Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.

•Do not try to catch any wild animal.

To date for 2014, there have been 218 confirmed rabies cases in North Carolina. In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s third rabies case for the year.

On August 2, a raccoon attacked two dogs on Tangle Ridge Trail in Alamance County. The owner shot the raccoon then contacted Alamance County Animal Control to pick up the raccoon. The raccoon was then sent to the State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing. On August 5, the State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the raccoon to have rabies. The two dogs were not up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and were surrendered, then euthanized.

“It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies,” reminds Environmental Health Director, Carl Carroll. “Rabies vaccination protects not only your pet, but also helps to protect you and your family. We urge everyone that owns a dog or cat to check to see if their pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date and if not, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian today”.

If you are bitten by any animal:

•Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

•Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.

•Do not try to catch any wild animal.

In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s second rabies case for the year.

On July 20, a fox attacked a man on Moran Street in Burlington. The individual contacted Burlington Animal Control to pick up the fox and the fox was sent to the State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing. On July 22, the State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the fox to have rabies. Burlington Animal Control received a report of a small fox in the area a few days prior and had been monitoring the area. Residents in this area with outside pets should examine pets for any wounds that may have come from contact with this fox and notify animal control or the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if they have questions or concerns.

“It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies,” reminds Environmental Health Director, Carl Carroll. “Rabies vaccination protects not only your pet, but also helps to protect you and your family.” Burlington Adoption Center is holding a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Vaccinations will be $5.00 per pet and the center asks that cats be in carriers and dogs be on leashes.

If you are bitten by any animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild animal

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

BURLINGTON –Alamance County Health Department Health Educator Kelley Kimrey was named the 2014 Asthma Champion on May 7 by the Asthma Alliance of North Carolina.

Kimrey has worked tirelessly to implement numerous asthma initiatives in area schools and the community including:

– Air Quality Awareness Flag Program

– Expanding the Love My Lungs campaign

– Observation of World Asthma Day

– Dissemination of the Asthma Resource Guide to school nurses, community members, and the Alamance Regional Medical Center education department

– Collaboration with area pharmacies to implement the Nebulizer Loan program to assist families in need

– Partnered with the Environmental Health section of the local health department to offer the Healthy Homes Program

– Leads local Safe Kids Coalition

The Asthma Champion Award was created in 2007 to recognize the outstanding efforts of those dedicated to improving the lives of people with asthma in North Carolina.

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for 2014.

On May 7th, an individual in Burlington woke up to a bat flying in their bedroom. The individual promptly vacated and closed the room then called Burlington Animal Control for assistance. The bat was removed by an Animal Control Officer and was the sent to the state lab for testing. The individual involved is seeking medical consultation as a result of the incident.

“This individual did exactly what they should have done. If you find a bat in your home, isolate it to one room, leave the room and close the doors,” states Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll. “Call animal control immediately to capture the bat for testing.”

In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in the county. Of those eight cases, two were bats. There were a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide in 2013 and of those 28 were bats.

If you are bitten by any animal:

•        Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
•       Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.
•       Do not try to catch any wild animal

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.