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 PostJuly - September 2007
Contents Tick-bourne Illness Can Be Very Serious Chickenpox Booster Recommended Snacks Are Good For Your Child
Tick-bourne Illness Can Be Very Serious State public health officials are urging Missourians to protect themselves from tick bites following the recent death of a Northeast Missouri child from a tick-borne disease. The child, who became ill after apparently being bitten by a tick, received intensive medical care but died May 23, about 10 days after symptoms initially appeared. Tests performed at St. Louis Children's Hospital indicate the child was infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a disease related to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to State Public Health Veterinarian Howard Pue, D.V.M. "Serious complications from ehrlichiosis are rare, but a death like this, of an otherwise healthy child, is a solemn reminder of the importance of avoiding tick bites to reduce the risk of getting a tick-borne disease," Pue said. "The risk of serious tick-borne disease is low for most people, but early symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other infectious and noninfectious diseases." The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has received increased reports this year of several tick-borne diseases. Sixteen cases of ehrlichiosis have been reported so far, compared to an average of nine cases per year for the same time period over the past five years. In addition, 54 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever have been reported so far, compared to an average of 22 cases per year for the same time period over the past five years. Other tick-borne diseases reported in Missouri this year include two cases of tularemia and 10 cases of Lyme-like disease. "While some of these cases are still under investigation or in various stages of testing, we are concerned about the large number of tick-borne disease reports we have received this year," Pue said. Missouri State Epidemiologist Bao Ping Zhu, M.D., hopes Missouri physicians will heed the importance of this spring’s unexpectedly high number of tick-borne disease reports. "These reports appear to indicate increased tick activity for 2007," said Dr. Zhu. “Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia can be life-threatening, and diagnosis can be very difficult." Because tick-borne illnesses cannot be quickly diagnosed through testing, treatment decisions must be based on clinical evidence and the likelihood of tick exposure, according to Zhu. "The best way Missourians can protect themselves is to avoid tick bites and become more aware of the symptoms of tick-borne diseases," Pue said. "If you have been bitten by a tick and experience a sudden fever, headache, rash, achy muscles, nausea, vomiting or general body discomfort, you should contact your physician for evaluation. Tick-borne diseases can be effectively treated with appropriate antibiotics, especially when caught at an early stage." People can protect themselves from tick bites by:
For more information about tick-borne illnesses, contact the Grundy County Health Department at 359-4196.
From the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Studies by the Centers For Disease Control show that autism may be even more prevalent than originally thought. A 2002 study of fourteen communities showed that 6.6 children per 1000 had an autism spectrum disorder. Previous estimates were 4-5 per 10,000. Experts are not certain what is behind the rise in autism cases but all agree that early detection is critical for planning effective interventions.
What are autism spectrum disorders? Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities caused by a problem with the brain. Scientists do not know yet exactly what causes this problem. ASDs can impact a person's functioning at different levels, from very mildly to severely. There is usually nothing about how a person with an ASD looks that sets them apart from other people, but they may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most people. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary – from gifted to severely challenged. Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD, but there are others, including "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome. People with ASDs may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. ASDs begin during early childhood and last throughout a person's life.
Can vaccines cause autism? According to the Centers For Disease Control, the weight of currently available scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that vaccines cause autism.
What are some of the first signs of ASDs? The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for atypical development, and is in need of an immediate evaluation. If your baby shows any one of these signs, please ask your health care provider for an immediate evaluation:
Red Flags are reprinted with permission by First Signs, Inc. For more information, please go to www.firstsigns.org or to the newly released book, Could It Be Autism? A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps (Broadway Books), by First Signs founder and president, Nancy D. Wiseman. First Signs is dedicated to the early identification and intervention of children with developmental delays and disorders. Red Flags were compiled from the following sources: Greenspan, S.I. (1999) Building Healthy Minds, Perseus Books; Filipek, P.A. et al. Practice parameter: Screening and Diagnosis of autism. Neurology 2000, 55: 468-79.
What can I do if I think my child has an ASD? If you or your doctor think there could be a problem, ask for a referral to see a developmental pediatrician or other specialist. Early intervention programs such as speech and language, occupational and physical therapies can make an enormous difference in the capabilities of a child diagnosed with ASD. The Grundy County Health Department can assist with developmental screenings, call 359-4196 for more information.
For more information about autism, visit these websites:
Chickenpox Booster Recommended Parents recall their own memories of childhood as they raise their children—losing our first tooth, the first day of kindergarten, learning to tie our shoes, and for most of us, having the chicken pox. Today, having the chickenpox, or varicella, does not have to be one of the milestones of growing up—there is a vaccine that can prevent the disease or significantly lessen the effects. Some parents question why their children should receive this vaccine for this illness that seems so much less severe that other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio. They think it might be safer for the child to be exposed to the disease and contract "natural immunity." Even though the chickenpox was a rite of passage for parents that grew up before the vaccine became available, complications from chickenpox can be deadly. When a person has had the chickenpox the virus lies dormant in their system and can cause shingles, a painful rash, later in life. Even in uncomplicated cases, children will have between 200 and 500 of the itchy bumpy lesions that can leave scars. While perhaps as many as 15-20% of children who have received one dose of the vaccine still get the chickenpox, the disease is much milder, with usually fewer than 50 lesions. In 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended two doses of the vaccine, and in one study, children who received two doses were three times less likely to have the chickenpox as the children who received one dose. The varicella vaccine is normally given to healthy children between 12 and 15 months, the booster is recommended between four and six years of age. If you would like more information on the chickenpox vaccine or other immunizations, please call us at 359-4196.
Snacks Are Good For Your Child Most kids like snacks. In fact, most young children do best when they eat four to six times a day. Think of snacks as mini-meals that help provide nutrients and food energy your child needs to grow, play, and learn. Help your child snack smart. Your child has a small stomach. So he or she probably eats less at meals than you do. Smart snacks can help your child eat and drink enough during the day. Keep food group snacks handy, for example: raw vegetables, fruit, juice, milk, cheese, yogurt, bread, peanut butter, and hard-cooked eggs. Let snacks fill in the gaps. If your child misses juice for breakfast, offer fruit at snack time. Time snacks carefully—two to three hours before meals. That way your child will be hungry for lunch or supper. Offer snacks to satisfy hunger. Skip the urge to offer a snack to quiet tears, calm your child, or reward behavior. That can lead to emotional overeating later on. Sometimes kids say they're hungry when they really want attention. Take a little time with your child, talk or do something fun. Your child will let you know if he or she really is hungry. Keep snacks small. If your child is still hungry, he or she can ask for more. Let your child decide what's enough. Encourage tooth brushing after snacking – especially after eating bread, crackers, and sweet foods. Offer milk, juice, or water as snack drinks. Soft drinks and fruit drinks can crowd out foods your child needs to grow and stay healthy. Snack wisely yourself! Do you snack when you feel stressed or bored or only when you’re hungry? What foods do you snack on? Remember, your child learns snack habits by watching you. Be a great role model!
From MoDHSSWIC & Nutrition Services
On Tuesday, June 19, the Grundy County Health Department, along with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, hospitals and other local health departments across the state participated in Missouri’s New Madrid Earthquake Exercise. Although the Grundy County Health Department would not be first responders for rescue and treatment of earthquake victims, we may be needed to distribute emergency medical supplies through the Strategic National Stockpile. The Federal Government maintains the Strategic National Stockpile, a large inventory of emergency medical supplies, equipment, and medicines for use in the event of a large-scale emergency or natural disaster. During an earthquake, SNS would send medicines and medical supplies to hospitals and treatment centers. The June 2007 exercise tested the operation of the Receiving Staging and Storage (RSS) site where DHSS would receive and sort the SNS medical supplies. Orders from local health departments and hospitals would be distributed first to regional sites and then care centers. The Grundy County Health Department is trained to request and receive emergency supplies from the Federal Strategic National Stockpile. Although Grundy County was far from the exercise center, repercussions from such a large-scale disaster would certainly affect us locally with possible power outages, shortages of food and supplies, and the influx of victims that may need temporary shelter. Constant planning and frequent drills are another way that public health is ever vigilant, seeking to protect the health and safety of the public right here in Grundy County.
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Grundy County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity
Provider.
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