Author: Ariana Lawrence

Health Department urges individuals to stay up-to-date with vaccinations

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Health Department has been able to provide the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine through expanded guidelines for state-supplied vaccine to anyone in the community.  However, beginning January 1 that will no longer be possible.

In early 2012, the NC Division of Public Health expanded eligibility guidelines for state-supplied Tdap vaccine to allow for increased coverage as more and more pertussis cases were identified throughout the state.  The expansion allowed for anyone to receive the Tdap vaccine for free for a limited time.  The state’s expansion for the Tdap vaccine has been set to expire January 1.  The health department has a limited number of these Tdap doses remaining and will continue to provide them for free until January 1 or until the supply is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

“Tdap will still be available, but unless an individual meets certain criteria for free vaccine, we will begin billing their insurance in January,” said Christie Sykes, child health and immunization coordinator at the health department.  “We have been very fortunate to be able to give out over 4,200 doses of Tdap for free through the expanded guidelines, but we knew the expansion would not last forever.”

Sykes stated that adults who are uninsured and children who are uninsured or have Medicaid will still receive the vaccine for free in 2013. Adults and children who do not meet those criteria can still receive the vaccine, but the cost of the vaccine will be billed to their insurance. The cost of the vaccine will be $58.00 beginning in January.

“I am very proud of the work our staff and our community partners have done to protect the community.  We have been able to give a lot of vaccines to a lot of people through the state-supply expansion,” said Health Director Barry Bass. “But even with the changes, everyone should continue to protect themselves and their families by keeping up-to-date with vaccinations.”

Alamance County began to see an increase in pertussis cases in November 2011.  As of December 10, 173 cases of pertussis had been reported.  Cases peaked in December 2011 through February 2012 with fewer cases since then.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for a Tdap vaccine, please call the Alamance County Health Department at 336-227-0101.

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Health Department has completed and released the State of the County Health (SOTCH) report for 2012.  The report provides updates on health statistics and information on progress in priority health areas as determined in the 2011 Community Health Assessment.

Community health priorities highlighted in the SOTCH include obesity, substance abuse, mental health and access to health care.  The SOTCH details various initiatives, activities and strategies employed to improve the health of the community related to those four priority areas.  Additionally, the SOTCH highlights ongoing public health work such as maternal child health outcomes, teen pregnancy prevention, and air quality improvement.

The SOTCH summarizes the county’s response to the increase in pertussis cases, or whooping cough, beginning in November 2011 in the emerging issue section.  The emerging issue section of the SOTCH was first included in 2008 to highlight health issues of importance that were not initially identified or anticipated in the Community Health Assessment.

The SOTCH is a collaborative effort between the Alamance County Health Department, Alamance Regional Medical Center, Healthy Alamance, United Way and other community partners. The SOTCH report is an annual report required by the North Carolina Division of Public Health from all local health departments in the years between Community Health Assessments.

To view the SOTCH: 2012 State of the County Health Report (SOTCH)

BURLINGTON – Beginning Thursday, December 6, the Alamance County Health Department will provide the seasonal flu vaccine for free to everyone six months old and older.

Flu shots are available at the health department on a walk-in basis, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), at the following times:

8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

“The holidays are fast approaching, now is a great time to give the gift of protection from flu to yourself and your family,” states Christie Sykes, Alamance County Health Department Immunization Coordinator. “Vaccination combined with hand washing and covering your cough can reduce your chance of getting the flu this year.”

In addition, December 2-8 is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

According to a recent CDC statement, significant increases in flu activity in the United States have occurred in the last two weeks, indicating an early flu season.  According to Dr. Melinda Wharton, Acting Director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, “Increasing flu activity should be a wake-up call. For anyone who has put off vaccination: It’s time to get your flu vaccine now.”

Since September, the health department has administered 1,250 doses of flu vaccine.  In 2011, the health department administered approximately 1,500 doses during the flu season.  For more information, call the health department at 336-227-0101 or visit www.alamance-nc.com.

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

Alamance County Health Department received notification on October 31 that a kitten located in the Eli Whitney area near Greensboro-Chapel Hill Rd had tested positive for rabies.  The kitten was taken to a local veterinarian office on October 26 after becoming ill and subsequently died the following day.  Five individuals are receiving treatment as a result of exposure.

Alamance County Health Department received notification on November 1 that a skunk located near Reid Rd. in the northern part of the county tested positive for rabies.  One unvaccinated dog was euthanized after exposure to the skunk.

“These events are unfortunate examples of why dogs and cats must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health Director.   “Residents have the opportunity to vaccinate their pets at low cost clinics around our county in the coming week and we urge pet owners to take advantage of these clinics.”

The Alamance County Health Department will be holding a vaccination clinic November 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Environmental Health Building located at 219 North Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington.  The cost is $5.00 per animal.  Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Animals should begin receiving rabies vaccination at 4 months of age.

Additional public rabies vaccination clinics will be held for one week, November 5-10, at the following local veterinary offices:

–          Mebane Veterinary Hospital                      (919) 563-5006

–          Graham Animal Hospital                           (336)228-1600

–          Tri-County Veterinary Service                   (336) 376-6838

–          Animal Hospital of Mebane                       (919) 304-1600

–          Creekside Animal Clinic                            (919) 563-9663

In addition, Alamance Animal Emergency Hospital, available at (336) 228-7226, will provide rabies vaccinations November 5-9 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and again on November 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. only. Please call the veterinary office for clinic hours and to schedule an appointment for the participating clinics.   Rabies vaccines at the participating offices above will cost $5.00 per animal.

If 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, vaccination requirements, or upcoming clinics, contact the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County WIC Program will host a Breastfeeding Challenge on Saturday, September 29, at the Civitan Shelter in Burlington City Park, as a part of the Quintessence Global Breastfeeding Challenge.  Activities will begin at 10:00 A.M. with limited free food, games, activities, and giveaways for participants.  The official “latch on” time will be 11:00 A.M.

This fun event is a challenge to see which geographic area has the most breastfeeding babies “latched on” at 11:00 A.M. local time.  Mothers and children at sites across the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world will compete to set the record for the most infants breastfeeding at one time.

This is the second year, the WIC program has participated in the challenge.  Last year, 23 local mothers participated in the challenge and in all 75 people attended the event to support breastfeeding.  Worldwide in 2011, there were 4,646 children in 16 countries who took part in the Breastfeeding Challenge. The Breastfeeding Challenge is one strategy to help spread the word globally that breastfeeding is normal and an important strategy for child and maternal health.

“This is just one more way for us to celebrate breastfeeding,” says WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator and lactation consultant Catherine Cunningham. “The Alamance County WIC Program has had three breastfeeding peer counselors on staff for well over two years now and through their work we have seen improvements in the percent of women who breastfeed. We have become better known in the community as a breastfeeding friendly program. We strive to educate pregnant woman on breastfeeding and support them as they enter their breastfeeding experience.”

For more information about the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge, visit the challenge website at www.babyfriendly.ca or contact Cunningham at (336) 570-6475.  The Alamance County WIC Program is an equal opportunity provider.

Shots to be available daily, on walk-in basis

BURLINGTON – Flu season is upon us and the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) wants you to protect yourself and your families.  Beginning Wednesday, September 12, the health department will begin offering seasonal flu shots to the public.

The cost of the seasonal flu shot is $25.00.  Some groups may be eligible for free flu vaccine. Those eligible for free vaccine include:

• Uninsured children less than 19 years old
• Caregivers of infants less than 6 months old
• Students (19 years or older) attending a North Carolina university, college or community college

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 on a walk-in basis, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), at the following times:

8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

This year’s seasonal vaccine contains several strains of influenza, including H1N1.  Therefore, 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.

Help you and your family stay healthy this season by getting the flu shot today. 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 more information, call the health department at 336-227-0101.

Health Department receives “Best Practice in an Outbreak” award

BURLINGTON – Members of the Alamance County Health Department were recognized at the 2012 NC Communicable Disease Conference on Thursday, June 26^th in Chapel Hill with the “Best Practice in an Outbreak” award.  Ayo White, RN and Christie Sykes, RN accepted the award on behalf of the department for dedication and effort in fighting Pertussis in Alamance County.  White serves as the Communicable Disease Coordinator and Sykes serves as the Immunization Coordinator for the health department.

White said of receiving the award, “This is wonderful recognition for our staff and all the work that has gone into protecting our community.  Our response to Pertussis and the steps we took to control the disease may serve as a model for other communities”.

Since December 2011, 153 total Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, cases have been identified.    Health department officials report that while the magnitude of cases identified has declined since February, Pertussis is still present in Alamance County.

“Our staff has worked tirelessly to inform the community about the importance of vaccination, especially in adult caregivers.  Tdap vaccination helps protect our most susceptible residents, like infants, from Pertussis” says Health Director Barry Bass.

Tdap, the combined Tetanus and Pertussis vaccine, is available for free at the health department for a limited time.  The health department has walk-in clinics available for Tdap vaccinations every day from 8am-11am and again from 1pm-4pm.  For more information, call 336-227-0101.

Raccoon fights with unvaccinated dogs, twenty dogs euthanized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2012

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

On March 19, three dogs and a raccoon were involved in a fight at residence on Stone Brook Road, off Stone Street Extension, in Mebane.  The owner was able to shoot and kill the raccoon during the confrontation.

Upon further investigation, the three dogs were found not to be current on their rabies vaccinations.  Two of the dogs, along with eighteen puppies were euthanized.  The third dog exposed is being quarantined for six months at a veterinarian facility.

As an alternative to euthanization, state law allows for an animal to be quarantined at a facility approved by the local health director for a period up to six months.  The dog’s owner will be responsible for all costs during the quarantine period.

Residents in this area that have outside pets should closely examine them for wounds that they may have potentially received from this raccoon and notify animal control or the Health Department’s Environmental Health office.

“This event is yet another example of why it is very important that dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health Director.   “Not only did 20 dogs lose their lives, but the cost incurred to quarantine a dog for six months could have provided rabies vaccinations for hundreds of dogs.”

The Environmental Health division is asking everyone that has a dog or cat to check their animal’s rabies vaccination status today.  If a pet is not up-to-date on its rabies vaccinations, do not delay in getting your pet caught up.

If 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

Several rabies vaccination clinics will take place in Alamance County during the month of April.  As a part of Public Health Month, the Alamance County Health Department will hold a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 21, 2012, from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M., at the Environmental Health office located at 219 North Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington.  The cost is $5.00 per animal.

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

Skunk fights with three dogs, one dog placed under six month quarantine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2012

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s third rabies case for the year and eighteenth confirmed case since April 2010.

On Wednesday, a skunk entered an area at a residence on Gilliam Church Road in northwest Alamance County, where three dogs were contained by an underground fence system.  The skunk was killed during the confrontation and was subsequently sent to the state laboratory for testing.

The health department was notified on Thursday that the skunk tested positive for rabies. So far this year, all three documented cases of rabies have involved skunks.

Two of the dogs were up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, but one was not.  The vaccinated dogs received booster rabies vaccinations within five days, as required by state law.  State law requires that the unvaccinated dog be euthanized, or as an alternative to euthanization, it may be quarantined at a facility approved by the local health director for six months. The dog’s owner has opted for quarantine and will be responsible for all costs during the quarantine period, which will last until September, if the dog does not develops rabies and subsequently dies from the exposure.

“This clearly illustrates the importance of making sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department Environmental Health Director.  “If your pet’s rabies vaccination has lapsed, get them vaccinated immediately to protect them and protect others.  Dogs and cats are at an increased risk to come in contact with rabid animals and if not properly protected, they may contract rabies and expose human to this deadly virus.”

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

Free Tdap vaccine to be offered at special Mebane clinic on March 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 23, 2012

BURLINGTON – Officials from the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) announced additional plans today to address a community pertussis outbreak, now into its third month.

Since mid-December 2011, there have been 82 laboratory confirmed, probable, or epidemiologically-linked cases of pertussis (whooping cough) affecting 14 schools and child care centers throughout Alamance County.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that often starts with typical cold symptoms (runny nose, low grade fever, and possibly cough) and over 1-2 weeks, usually develops into prolonged bursts of coughing, often with a whooping noise at the end. The person usually feels well between attacks. “The health department continues to monitor and investigate new reports of pertussis.  However, as a part of outbreak response measures, a greater emphasis on the need for vaccination is necessary to prevent further spread of pertussis in the community,” said Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, MD, ACHD Medical Director.

For a limited period of time, restrictions have been lifted as to who can receive the Tdap vaccine.  The shot, which is normally $35.00, is now being offered for free.

The Tdap vaccine is strongly recommended for the following populations:
• Children 11 or 12 years of age (in North Carolina, this is required for students entering the 6th Grade.
• Adults who have not already received the Tdap vaccine (Tdap did not become available until 2005.
• Those with family members at risk for severe disease, if they develop pertussis, including:  Infants less than 12 months of age  Immunocompromised individuals
•   Pregnant women ( > 30 weeks gestation)

Free Tdap is being offered on a walk-in basis at the health department, Monday-Friday, from 8:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., and again from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.

In addition, a community-wide Tdap vaccination clinic will be held on Friday, March 2, from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at the Mebane Arts and Community Center.  The center is located at 633 Corregidor Street in Mebane.

Receiving the Tdap vaccine will help prevent infection not only in children and adults, but also in infants.  Ultimately, receiving the Tdap vaccine significantly decreases the risk of pertussis in newborns and infants.

For additional information about pertussis or the Tdap vaccine please call the health department at (336) 227-0101.