Rabid skunk killed by unvaccinated dog in Pleasant Grove

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2011

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

The animal control division of the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office animal control was called on Monday to a residence on John Lewis Road in the Pleasant Grove area of northern Alamance County.  On arrival, they found a skunk that had been attacked and killed by the owner’s dog.  The dog was not up-to-date on its rabies vaccination and was transported to Burlington Animal Control on Wednesday afternoon, where it is being held for euthanization.

“Rabies is a fatal illness, for animals, as well as humans,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department Environmental Health Director with.  “Pet owners must take their responsibility for keeping vaccinations up-to-date very seriously.”

Dog and cat owners can take advantage of two upcoming rabies vaccination clinics in Alamance County.  A fee may apply for vaccinations given at community clinics.

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For more information regarding low-cost rabies vaccination providers or for questions about the laws regarding rabies vaccination for animals, please contact the health department’s Environmental Health division at (336) 570-6367.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2011

BURLINGTON – Not even a healthy dose of liquid sunshine could dampen the spirits of over 75 area dental professionals and community volunteers taking part in the eighth annual Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile event, held today at the Alamance County Health Department’s Children’s Dental Center.

Throughout the morning, 80 children streamed through the treatment area and came away with much more than free dental care and gym bags filled with giveaway provided by local businesses.

A unique feature of Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile is the Adopt-A-Smile initiative.  During the dental examination, if a child is found to have more extensive and immediate dental treatment needs beyond what can be provided on the day of the event, participating dentists will adopt the child into their private practice at no cost to the parent or guardian.  Over the course of today’s five hour event, 29 children were adopted.

Additional figures from today’s event include:

Funding to expand CenteringPregnancy® services, obtain program accreditation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2011

BURLINGTON – Expecting mothers receiving prenatal services at the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) will greatly benefit from enhanced prenatal care and support services thanks to a March of Dimes  grant that will address unmet maternal and child health needs.

The March of Dimes North Carolina Chapter recently awarded one of its 2011 Community Awards to ACHD.  The $41,565.00 grant award will be used to expand the health department’s CenteringPregnancy® program and assist in obtaining accreditation from the Centering Healthcare Institute.

“These grants address significant maternal and child health issues such as access to care, prenatal support, and infant mortality prevention that are of concern in our community,” said Marcia Swartz, March of Dimes Program Services Chair.

CenteringPregnancy®, a new option at the Maternity Clinic at ACHD, is an innovative prenatal program that  allows patients to see the same provider throughout their pregnancies, participate in their own care, eliminate wait time, and meet other pregnant women with similar due dates.  Women are given the chance to discuss topics important to them during their pregnancies and form friendships and support that last beyond the pregnancy, while at the same time receiving high quality prenatal check-ups.  CenteringPregnancy® has been implemented in a wide range of settings nationally from private OB offices to local health departments and has been associated with lower preterm delivery rates, increased breastfeeding rates, and higher patient satisfaction.

With the expansion funding, ACHD will now plan to provide four Centering groups during in the 2011 calendar year.  Each Centering group consists of 10-12 participants and their support persons.  Any pregnant woman who seeks care through the ACHD and has no high risk conditions will be eligible to participate in Centering.

“We are exceedingly fortunate to have this program at the health department,” said Dr. Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, Alamance County Health Department Medical Director.  “CenteringPregnancy® has been proven, in multiple locations around the country, to improve outcome of some of the most vulnerable babies, as well as creating supportive communities for pregnant women.  It is programs like this which will help us continue to improve the health of women and children in our community.”

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes website at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language website at nacersano.org.

For more information about CenteringPregnancy® or other services provided by the ACHD Maternity Clinic, please call (336) 227-0101.

Records from 2007 reveal another rabies case at the same location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2011

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for the year late Tuesday afternoon.

The rabid raccoon was found fighting with a dog at a residence on Mt. Herman-Rock Creek Road in southern Alamance County on Sunday.  The animal control division of the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office was called to investigate.  The dog had not been vaccinated against rabies and has been euthanized.  According to records, another rabies case occurred in the area back in August 2010 and at the same location in 2007.

“It is unfortunate that this dog was not currently vaccinated,” said Carl Carroll, Director of Environmental Health with the Alamance County Health Department.  “It is extremely important for all dog and cat owners to keep their pets rabies vaccinations up to date.  Given that there have been three documented cases in the area, all residents should be even more vigilant and take precautions.”

Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are normally less than $20.00 at most veterinarian offices. These shots must be kept up to date.  If a dog or cat is exposed to a known or expected rabid animal, North Carolina General Statues require that the dog or cat be euthanized or quarantined for six months at an approved animal control facility or a veterinarian’s office at the owner’s expense.

Once the rabies virus enters the body through a bite from a rabid animal, it travels along the nerves to the brain.  Depending on the individual dog or cat, signs of rabies may manifest in as little as a few weeks or as long as six months.  In animals, rabies is almost always fatal.  However, there are shots that humans can get once they have a rabies exposure, but those shots are very expensive, usually averaging $3,000 or more for the post-exposure series.

If someone is bitten by an animal, they should immediately wash the wound with warm water and soap, seek medical attention, and call animal control personnel or the health department.

For more information regarding low-cost rabies vaccination providers or for questions about the laws regarding rabies vaccination for animals, please contact the health department’s Environmental Health division at (336) 570-6367.

Appointment scheduling for sixth annual event begins January 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2010

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

The event, now in its sixth year locally, will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Alamance County Children’s Dental Center, from 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.  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, participating dentists have preformed over $150,000 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 will begin on Tuesday, January 18, and end on Thursday, January 20.  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) 570-4166 between 10:00 AM and noon or 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.  Individuals speaking Spanish may call (336) 570-4167. Please note that appointments are required and limited to the first 100 children.

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

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

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

Give Kids a Smile Quick Facts

Pictured from left to right are Cindy Watkins, Executive Director for the Alamance Partnership for Children; Nekaya Harrelson, 2010 ACHD Employee of the Year; and outgoing Board of Health member Dr. Reid Woodard. Not pictured is �You Can Count on Me� Award recipient Stacie Turpin Saunders.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2011

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Board of Health recently held its annual awards ceremony at the Alamance County Health Department, recognizing employees, community partners, and Board of Health members for their contributions to public health in Alamance County during 2010.

Each year, the Board of Health recognizes outside agencies, organizations, or individuals that have partnered with the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) with the Public Health Partnership Award.  Their invaluable partnership has allowed the ACHD to achieve goals that would not have been possible to achieve alone.
The 2010 Public Health Partnership Award was presented to the Alamance Partnership for Children.  The Partnership has been a long time collaborator and partner, whose programming targets populations on a multi-factorial level providing social, emotional, developmental, and health information to those who may be at risk for poor health outcomes for a variety of reasons.  Additionally, their work not only directly affects the children who are involved in The Partnership’s programming, but extends to reach their families and caregivers.

Awards were also presented for Employee of the Year, the Health Director’s “You Can Count on Me” Award, and the Board of Health Service Award.

Nekaya Harrelson, a Public Health Nurse in the health department’s Women’s Health Clinic was recognized as the 2010 Employee of the Year.  The Employee of the Year Award is selected by the Board of Health from nominations submitted by ACHD staff.  Harrelson, a lifetime resident of Alamance County, has been with the ACHD since 2007.

Stacie Turpin-Saunders, a Public Health Educator, received the Health Director’s “You Can Count on Me” Award.  This award is presented to an employee who exemplifies the values of Public Health everywhere, everyday, for everybody.  Turpin-Saunders has been with the ACHD since 2007.

Dr. Reid Woodard was also recognized for his service to the Alamance County Board of Health.  Woodard, a Graham optometrist completing his third and final term on the Board of Health, has served as a member since 2002, most recently as Chairman in 2010 and Vice-Chairman in 2009.