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.

Deadline to schedule an appointment moved to February 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2012

BURLINGTON – As a part of National Children’s Dental Access Day, the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) and the Alamance-Caswell Dental Society will once again partner to Give Kids a Smile.

The event, now in its ninth year locally, will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., at the Alamance County Children’s Dental Center.  The Children’s Dental Center is located at 1914 McKinney Street, at the corner of North Graham-Hopedale Road and McKinney Street in Burlington, across from Eastlawn Elementary School.

Since the event’s inception in 2003, participating dentists have preformed over $1 million in free dental services for Alamance and Caswell County children in need of dental treatment.

Appointment scheduling for free limited dental exams, cleaning, fluoride, and sealants has been extended until February 3.  Anyone residing in Alamance or Caswell County interested in scheduling an appointment for their child(ren), should call the Give Kids a Smile appointment line at (336) 513-5518 between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.  Individuals speaking Spanish may call (336) 513-4869.  Please note that appointments are required.

To be eligible for Give Kids a Smile, children must meet the following criteria:

• Be in Preschool – 8th Grade
• Reside in Alamance or Caswell County
• Reside in a family that has a financial need
• Have NO Dental Insurance
• Not currently enrolled in the N.C. Medicaid or N.C. Health Choice program.

In addition to expanding to serve preschool-age children this year, the community at-large can also help to brighten the smiles of those who have the greatest need.  The Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile Foundation, a newly formed 501(c)(3), whose primary goal is to provide supplies and materials to encourage additional dentists to become involved in this much-needed program.  Contributions to the Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile Foundation ultimately will allow more children with dental needs to be treated through this worthwhile program.  Tax deductable contribution can be made to the following address:

Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile Foundation PO Box 3113 Burlington, NC 27216-3113

For more information or for further details about the Give Kids a Smile event, please call the Alamance County Children’s Dental Center at (336) 570-6415.

With increased awareness of symptoms, more cases likely to be identified in the community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2012

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) is investigating a new, lab confirmed case of pertussis in a student at Audrey W. Garrett Elementary School in Mebane.  Due to confidentiality laws, the name of this individual will not be released.

Within the next 24 hours, the health department, with the assistance of the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) will have notified affected parents and staff at Audrey W. Garrett.  In addition, medical and health care providers in the community have been notified.

Also on Tuesday, health department officials updated the status of the previously suspected case of pertussis in a Western Alamance Middle School to a confirmed case, based on epidemiological linkage.

“Now that residents and medical providers in Alamance County have a heightened awareness of the signs and symptoms of pertussis, we expect that additional cases will be identified,” said Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, MD, ACHD Medical Director.  “Regardless of how many cases are confirmed or suspected, getting appropriate tetanus and pertussis vaccine is the most effective way to protect our community.  Elementary and middle school students are required to receive timely immunizations to attend public school.  It is equally important for adults to make sure their own immunizations are up-to-date,” concluded Shapley-Quinn.

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.

For additional information or specific questions, please call the Alamance County Health Department Communicable Disease Hotline at (336) 516-7715.   If you are unable to reach a nurse on duty, please leave a message and your contact number.  Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Health officials advising parents to monitor text message, social media activity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2012

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Health Department is still investigating a suspected case of pertussis at Western Alamance Middle School.

As of 4:30 P.M. Friday, health department staff have made contact with approximately 95% of affected parents and staff members.

During the course of the investigation, health department officials have learned that there are students posting information about their health status, which may or may not be accurate, as well as the condition of others via text message, Facebook, and Twitter.  Parents are strongly advised to monitor texting and social media activity to limit the spread of inaccurate information that may affect the investigation.

Lab results for the suspected case are still pending and are expected after the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

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.

If your child develops the symptoms described above (runny nose, cough, etc), please take your child to their doctor for an evaluation.  This is particularly true if your child has symptoms that begin before February 1, 2012.

For additional information or specific questions, please call the Alamance County Health Department Communicable Disease Hotline at (336) 516-7715.   If you are unable to reach a nurse on duty, please leave a message and your contact number.  Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Vaccine is very effective, but protection fades over time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2012

BURLINGTON – While many county residents spent the days leading up to Christmas welcoming family and finishing last minute shopping, staff from the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) and the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) spent long days and nights, including Christmas Eve, tediously racing against the clock to contact families whose children may have been exposed to pertussis and call in preventive antibiotics.

Since the first pertussis case linked to B. Everett Jordan Elementary School was identified on December 14, over 600 children and adults were interviewed and prescribed antibiotics.  During the investigation, an additional seven cases were confirmed, with an additional 23 probable cases.

A case labeled as “probable” identifies someone with symptoms which meet the CDC requirements for a person having symptoms of pertussis, but this person hasn’t had laboratory testing or been in close contact with a laboratory confirmed case of pertussis.  Therefore, we will never definitively know if these individuals had pertussis.

As the investigation concludes, health and school system officials want to use this opportunity to teach a valuable lesson.  Although all of the confirmed and probable cases had been vaccinated against pertussis, this recent outbreak illustrates the importance of Tdap vaccination and boosters for children and adults.

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.

“While we want to prevent discomfort and disease in all of our residents, we especially want to keep pertussis from affecting children less than 12 months old, said Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, MD, ACHD Medical Director.  “Alamance County has been tremendously successful in decreasing our infant mortality rate and it would be absolutely tragic if one or more infants died of pertussis, a preventable disease.”

The Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, acellular Pertussis) vaccine is designed for specifically this purpose.  Tdap is mandatory for children to enter the sixth grade, but the health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourage all adults and children age 11 and older, to receive the vaccine.

For adults planning to have a family, it is especially important to prevent pertussis.  Ultimately, receiving the Tdap vaccine significantly decreases the risk of pertussis in newborns and infants.

With the assistance of a major vaccine manufacturer, the health department offers a program to assist uninsured adults, age 19 and older, with obtaining the Tdap vaccine at no cost.  Eligibility is contingent upon family size and income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

For additional information about the Tdap vaccine, the vaccine assistance program, or to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine, please call the health department at (336) 227-0101.