The H Factor 2014 Newsletter
your vital s urce to wellness
volume 1 - issue 5
ebola virus awareness and education
Health & human Services Department
“Our mission is to increase public awareness of health programs for the residents of Hidalgo County. We encourage you to stay connected with your vital source to wellness.”
Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected always. Especially when it comes to newly introduced virus within the United States. The Ebola virus infecting and killing people in West Africa is the worst recorded outbreak, according to the World Health Organization. What are the symptoms? Initial symptoms include fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and sometimes internal and external bleeding, according to WHO (World Health Organization). Symptoms usually appear 8-10 days after infection, according to the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention). WHO says lab tests of contaminated individuals find low white blood cell and platelet counts. How does the virus spread? The virus is transmitted from wild animals to humans. Humans spread the virus through contact with blood or other body fluids of an WHAT’S INSIDE infected person, as well as exposure to objects like contaminated needles, according to the CDC. What is the treatment? Currently, there is no vaccine. Treatment consists only of ebola virus awareness...1 "supportive therapy," according to the CDC. There are several vaccines being tested. None preparing for flu............2 are available for clinical use. How deadly is Ebola? In past outbreaks, up to 90% of humans who contract the virus have died. WHO describes Ebola as "one of the world's west nile virus......................2 most virulent diseases." In the current outbreak, the survival rate has been higher. About campylobacteriosis............3 47% survive, according to WHO. How can Ebola be prevented? It's unknown what the natural host for Ebola is, but it's believed to be the fruit bat. If an outbreak among animals protect your pet..........3 is suspected, the best practice is to quarantine the animals, cull the infected animals and UPCOMING EVENTS........4 bury or incinerate the carcasses, according to WHO. In the current outbreak, most cases are the result of human-to-human transmission, when there is direct contact with bodily CONTACT fluids, secretions, the mucous membrane or broken skin of an infected person, WHO says. INFORMATION................4 For additional information please visit www.cdc.gov or www.who.int. PAGE 1
What should i do to prepare for this flu season
What sort of flu season is expected this year? It’s not possible to predict what this flu season will be like. Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. While flu spreads every year, the timing, severity, and length of the season usually varies from one season to another.Will new flu viruses circulate this season? Flu viruses are constantly changing so it's not unusual for new flu viruses to appear each year. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age or older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.While there are many flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year, washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs and staying home from work or school if you are sick with the flu will help prevent spreading influenza to others. For more information about how flu viruses change, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm
west nile virus
What attracts a mosquito to Humans, and why are some people more attractive to mosquitoes than others? It is a combination of scent, sight, and heat to locate the blood hosts. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale from up to 100 feet away. Dark colored clothing and the changes of waves of light from your movement will also attract them. Perfumes and colognes will also attract them. How many different species of mosquitoes are there? Worldwide there is estimated to be 3,000 different species. Approximately 150 of those species are known to be found in North America. What is the West Nile Virus? West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. PAGE 2
campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism. The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts about one week. Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. Campylobacteriosis occurs much more frequently in the summer months than in the winter. Almost all persons infected with Campylobacter recover without any specific treatment. Patients should drink extra fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts. Most cases of campylobacteriosis are associated with eating raw or under cooked poultry meat or from crosscontamination of other foods by these items. Outbreaks of Campylobacter have most often been associated with unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated water, poultry, and produce. Animals can also be infected, and some people get infected from contact with the stool of an ill dog or cat.
protect your pet and family
As required by State law an owner or handler of a dog or cat must get the pet inoculated with the rabies vaccine. Hidalgo County Animal Control conducts low cost Rabies vaccination clinics throughout the year. Vaccinations are for dogs and cats 12 weeks of age and older. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers or secure boxes with air holes. Puppies should be brought in carriers or crates. Vaccinations are vital to the health and protection of your pet, and serve as a preventive measure to combating viral diseases like Parvovirus, Parainfluenza virus, Distemper, Lyme, Panleukopenia, Feline Leukemia Virus and Rabies. Vaccinations are accompanied by a veterinarian consultation and exami-nation to make certain that your pet's condition is stable enough to receive them.Vaccinations help to combat diseases by exposing the pet's immune system to inactive or small amount of a particular form of bacteria or virus. Our doctors will help you decide which vaccines are appropriate for your pet's risk factors. Proper and timely administration is paramount to ensure for optimal protection. Vaccinations are particularly important to young animals that have immature immune systems. Vaccinations generally begin at 6-8 weeks of age and are given every three to four weeks until the series is completed. PAGE 3
upcoming events BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
OCTOBER 2014
Pancreatic and lung cancer awareness
NOVEMBER 2014
16th Kayak the Laguna Madre 16th Butterfly Whirl: Contemporary Quilt Art 16th American Military Support 16th Habitat Tours of Bayside Drive at Laguna Atascosa NWR 16th Adult Dance Classes 16th Alfresco Weslaco 17th FREE Concerts on the Bay 18th STC Academic Affairs and Office of Human Resources-job Fair 18th FREE Concerts on the Bay
1st FREE Concerts on the Bay 1st Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours 2nd Port Isabel Antique Flea Market 4th PleinAire Sketching 8th BREW IN THE WOODS 8th Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours 11th PleinAire Sketching 15th Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours 18th PleinAire Sketching 22nd Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours 25th PleinAire Sketching 29th Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours
DECEMBER 2014 Dec 2 PleinAire Sketching Dec 6 Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours Dec 7 Port Isabel Antique Flea Market Dec 9 PleinAire Sketching Dec 13 Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours Dec 16 PleinAire Sketching Dec 20 Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours Dec 23 PleinAire Sketching Dec 27 Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours Dec 30 PleinAire Sketching
for more rio grande valley event information visit : www.business.valleychamber.com/events
hidalgo county clinics Wishing all a
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
EDINBURG CLINIC 3105 E. RICHARDSON EDINBURG, TEXAS 78539 956-318-2040
ELSA CLINIC 708 EDINBURG ST. ELSA, TEXAS 78543 956-262-1141
HIDALGO CLINIC 702 E. TEXANO HIDALGO, TEXAS 78557 956-843-7463
MCALLEN CLINIC 300 E. HACBERRY MCALLEN, TEXAS 78501 956-682-6155
MISSION CLINIC 211 N. SCHUERBACH RD. MISSION, TEXAS 78572 956-585-2461
PHARR CLINIC 300 W. HALL ACRES PHARR, TEXAS 78577 956-787-1531
WESLACO CLINIC 1901 N. BRIDGE WESLACO, TEXAS 78596 956-969-8332
PULMANARY CLINIC 1304 S. 25TH EDINBURG, TEXAS 78539 956-387-0118
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS VISIT US:
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1304 s. 25th edinburg, texas 78542 ph : 956-383-6221 fax: 956-383-3229 WWW.HCHD.ORG