Grundy County Health Department
1716 Lincoln / Trenton, MO 64683
PH: 660.359.4196 FAX: 660.359.5470
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Grundy County Health Department 1716 Lincoln / Trenton, MO 64683 PH: 660.359.4196 FAX: 660.359.5470
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Public Health PostJanuary - March 2006
Contents MyPyramid--The New Food Guide Pyramid
Preparing For A PandemicIt is difficult these days to turn on the television or radio, open a magazine or newspaper, or have a conversation in a group setting without encountering the topic of a possible influenza pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines pandemic flu as, "a global outbreak that occurs when a new influenza A virus causes serious human illness and spreads easily from person to person." In the past 300 years, there have been ten human flu pandemics. The most recent was the Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968-69, which caused approximately 54,000 deaths in the United States. The Asian flu occurred in 1957-58 and was responsible for 70,000 U.S. deaths. The most deadly influenza pandemic was the Spanish flu of 1918. In the United States, more than 500,000 people died, with as many as 50 million deaths worldwide. Pandemics differ significantly from the seasonal influenza we have become familiar with. The seasonal type of "flu" is a contagious respiratory illness that may be caused by different influenza viruses. It occurs each year, with symptoms that range from mild to severe. The best protection against seasonal flu is to receive an influenza vaccination (flu shot). Right now, there is no pandemic anywhere in the world. The avian influenza, also called bird flu you are hearing so much about has infected humans, but that virus cannot pass from human to human at this time. The humans that have contracted this virus have gotten it primarily from handling infected chickens. The CDC states that "for pandemic influenza to occur, three conditions must be met: a new influenza A virus appears or 'emerges' in the human population, it causes serious illness in people, and it spreads easily from person to person worldwide." Most experts agree that the possibility of an influenza pandemic is real. There could be very serious consequences as a result. Schools might be asked to close for an extended period of time, business and commerce could be severely interrupted, hospitals and health care facilities would be unable to meet the needs of the number of individuals seeking care, worker absenteeism would be extreme, and the social and economic effects profound. The Grundy County Health Department plans and prepares for public health emergencies, including outbreaks, epidemics and potential pandemics. In the event of a pandemic, the health department will be responsible for managing the response in Grundy County. You may be asked to isolate yourself or your household. This will be important if you are ill to prevent you from spreading the virus. If you are well, it will be important to isolate your household to help prevent you from becoming ill. It is recommended that every household maintain enough supplies to self-isolate for two weeks. By self-isolate, we mean going nowhere, and having no one visit you. The only way to minimize the effects of a pandemic is to prevent the spread of the virus. The best way to prevent any type of illness is to exercise good health and hygiene practices such as hand washing, staying home when ill, and covering mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. For more information about pandemic flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/ . You can find out more about avian (bird) flu at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/.
Pertussis Booster For AdultsA new vaccine, Tdap, offers a pertussis booster for adolescents and adults. Although children are routinely vaccinated against this illness, immunity wanes over the years and cases of this illness are on the rise throughout the U.S. What is Pertussis? Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory illness characterized by severe spasms of coughing that can last for several weeks or even for months. Pertussis is usually spread from person-to-person through close contact with respiratory droplets released when a person coughs or sneezes. Before the introduction of vaccination in the 1940s, pertussis was a major cause of serious illness and death among infants and young children in the United States. What does Tdap stand for? In addition to pertussis, the Tdap vaccine also protects against tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria. Aren’t there other vaccines for these illnesses? Yes. Children younger than age seven receive five doses of a similar vaccine, DTaP, that protects against all three illnesses. Four doses are administered by the child’s second birthday and the fifth is given as a booster before kindergarten. Adolescents and adults currently receive the Td (tetanus/diphtheria) vaccine at age 15 and every ten years thereafter. Which vaccine is best for me? On October 26, 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended routine use of a single dose of Tdap for adults 19-64 years of age to replace the next booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td). The ACIP also recommended Tdap for adults who have close contact with infants <12 months of age. In June ACIP recommended the routine use of Tdap vaccines in adolescents aged 11–18 years in place of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccines. How much does the vaccine cost? The cost of the vaccine is $34 which is our cost from the manufacturer. There is some Federal vaccine available for persons who are uninsured or qualify for Medicaid. For more information about Tdap or other vaccines for adults and adolescents, contact us at 359-4196.
Scoliosis ScreeningsScoliosis is a disorder in which there is a lateral curve of the spine, or backbone. Curves are often S-shaped or C-shaped. Normally, the spine curves from front to back. In scoliosis, the spine also bends from side to side. These structural changes may display as a hump or elevation on the back caused by the rotation of the spine. When present, these abnormal lateral curves may progress during the adolescent period of rapid growth. These are the curves that need to be detected early. What causes scoliosis? About 85% of the cases of scoliosis are placed in a category known as idiopathic scoliosis. This simply means that the cause of the scoliosis is unknown. In the remaining 15% of occurrences, scoliosis can be attributed to 35 disease processes. For instance, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy are fairly common causes of scoliosis. An estimated one million Americans have a significant degree of scoliosis. The condition begins in childhood and progresses most rapidly during the growth spurt of adolescence. Significant degrees of curvature occur more frequently in girls. There is a tendency also for scoliosis to occur in families, so the potential is high for siblings and other relatives to develop scoliosis. Scoliosis screenings can help detect the condition, which may also allow for the early diagnosis and treatment that, in turn, may also prevent a progressive spinal deformity. Scoliosis screenings are offered through the school health program at Grundy R-5, Laredo, Pleasant View, and Spickard for students in grades 5-9. Dr. Alissa Henson of Henson Chiropractic Clinics will perform the screenings. The Grundy County Health Department also assists with scoliosis screenings performed at Trenton R-9. For more information about scoliosis, visit the National Scoliosis Foundation website at www.scoliosis.org.
MyPyramid--The New Food Guide PyramidAs you may have heard, there’s a "new and improved" food pyramid. MyPyramid can help guide you to healthy eating choices. Scientists and educators looked at years of nutrition and health research to create the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPyramid is the symbol that represents the guidelines. What’s Different?
Visit the Web site at www.mypyramid.gov and click on these sections for more information:
What are Some Messages from MyPyramid? Make Half Your Grains Whole
Vary Your Veggies
Focus on Fruit
Know Your Fats
Get Your Calcium-rich Foods
Go Lean with Protein
Find Your Balance Between Food and Physical Activity
Content courtesy of North Dakota State University Extension Service and author Julie Garden-Robinson.
School Wellness PolicyThe Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires each school district that participates in a program under the National School Lunch Act to establish a local wellness policy for each school in the district by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. Locally, all Grundy County school districts have established wellness committees. The wellness committee members are reviewing the sample policy and procedures that have been established by the Missouri School Board Association. Current practices in regard to physical activity, nutrition and tobacco have been reviewed and goals for improvement, where needed, have been set. Each district's school board must have adopted the newly developed wellness policy by the first day of the 2006-2007 school year. The Grundy County Health Department is providing technical assistance to school wellness committees. The Federal law requires that parents, students, representatives from the school food service, Board members, administrators and members of the public be involved in the development of the policy, which must include the following components:
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Grundy County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity
Provider.
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