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The tragic death of a 17-year-old high school student in Virginia from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, has brought this bacterium, termed a “superbug” by some, to the forefront of the public health discussion.
Next week, Louisiana citizens can help themselves get ready for the upcoming flu season, as well as help the state prepare to respond to a public health emergency (such as release of a chemical or biological agent).
Dr. William Roger Clark has been named Medical Director for the Department of Health and Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services. The appointment was effective October 1, 2007.
A new swim advisory has been issued this week for Martin Beach in Cameron Parish. Swim advisories issued previously for Constance, Gulf Breeze, Little Florida, Long and Rutherford beaches in Cameron Parish remain in effect.
In recognition of SIDS Awareness Month (October), the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Office of Public Health’s SIDS Awareness Program is presenting statewide demonstrations on safe sleeping positions for babies, tips on healthy behaviors that can decrease the risk of SIDS, educational materials on SIDS and factors that can reduce SIDS deaths.
Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco announced today that Louisiana has been selected as one of only 15 states to receive a national grant to be used for childhood obesity prevention efforts in schools. The state is being awarded $110,000 as part of the National Governor’s Association’s Healthy Kids, Healthy America award to go toward improving obesity rates among the state’s youth.
A swim advisory remains in effect for Constance, Long, Gulf Breeze, Hackberry, Little Florida, and Rutherford beaches. Additionally, Holly Beach sites 1, 2, 5, and 6 are under advisories. Holly Beach sections are numbered from east to west, with section 1 being the easternmost end of the beach and section 6 being the westernmost end.
West Nile virus infections have been identified in 23 people in Louisiana according to the most recent report issued by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
A new swim advisory has been issued for Martin Beach and Holly Beach sections 1, 5 and 6, with section 1 being the easternmost end of the beach and section 6 being the westernmost end. Swim advisories issued previously for Constance, Gulf Breeze, Little Florida, Long and Rutherford beaches in Cameron Parish remain in effect. The advisory at Hackberry Beach has been lifted.
It has been almost 40 years since the last outbreak of the flu swept the globe, killing more than one million people worldwide. But, with experts predicting a worldwide influenza outbreak (pandemic) in the very near future, state health officials and emergency response officials are testing plans to ensure that Louisiana is ready to respond to the next flu pandemic.
The latest West Nile virus report issued by the Department of Health and Hospitals shows the illness being confirmed in residents from seven Louisiana parishes. In all, six people have been diagnosed with a severe, neuroinvasive disease (such as encephalitis) and two people with less serious cases of West Nile fever.
A swim advisory has been issued for Hackberry Beach and sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish, with section 1 being the easternmost end of the beach and section 6 being the westernmost end. These advisories in Cameron Parish are in addition to advisories that remain in effect at Constance, Gulf Breeze, Little Florida, Long, and Rutherford beaches. Fourchon Beach in Lafourche Parish also remains under a swim advisory.