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Keep dogs, cats safe from household poisons

Keep dogs, cats safe from household poisons

The 50th anniversary of Poison Prevention Week is March 18-24, marking five decades of safer homes and saved lives. While much of the nationally-recognized effort has been directed at raising awareness with parents of small children, the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline remind us that pets are also vulnerable and susceptible to accidental ingestion of potentially life-threatening common items in the home.

“Pets are curious and often can’t resist smelling, tasting and sometimes swallowing foods, plants and other items in our homes that interest them,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, and assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline.

In conjunction with Poison Prevention Week, Pet Poison Helpline has simplified the process of identifying potentially poisonous situations by categorizing them by room or area in which they reside.

Pet Poison Helpline suggests protecting your pets by poison-proofing your home, room by room, as follows.

Health grants awarded to Ohio, Hancock County schools

 Health grants awarded to Ohio, Hancock County schools

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) and its partners have selected 41 high schools to receive grants to develop or improve the nutritional, physical activity or tobacco prevention policies at their schools. The $500 grants are part of the Students Taking Charge program offered by Kentucky Action for Healthy Kids (KYAFHK).

Ohio and Hancock County each received grants.

Community health forums set for Ohio, McLean, Hancock Counties

Community health forums set for Ohio, McLean, Hancock Counties

The Green River District Health Department is currently hosting a series of County Community Health Assessment Forums. The public is invited to attend and provide feedback on opportunities for health improvement. Each forum will provide a current health status report looking at past assessments, available data and trends, and local, regional, and national health concerns.

Each forum will be facilitated by representatives of the University of Kentucky School of Public Health. The facilitators will focus on what makes a healthy community and the opportunities and obstacles to meeting that vision. Gathering input for each county is part of the process in developing a formal Community Health Improvement Plan for each county and a comprehensive plan for the district.

Forums have been held in Henderson, Union, and Webster Counties. The schedule for Hancock County, Ohio County and McLean Counties is:

Child only insurance policies must be offered next month

Child only insurance policies must be offered next month

Under a 2010 order from Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon P. Clark, all insurers selling in the commonwealth’s individual health insurance market must offer an annual open enrollment period in January for Kentuckians under age 19.

The annual open enrollment was ordered for each January beginning in 2011 and ending in 2013. As part of federal health reform, insurers will not be allowed to deny coverage, regardless of health status, in 2014.

New high dose flu vaccine for seniors still available locally

New high dose flu vaccine for seniors still available locally

Fluzone High Dose Vaccine, a new flu vaccine designed specifically for people 65 years and older is still available at all Green River District Health Department County Health Centers including those in Ohio, McLean and Hancock Counties.  The cost of the vaccine is covered by Medicare.

Fluzone High-Dose is an injectable flu vaccine made from the 3 flu strains most likely to cause illness for this particular flu season to protect people from influenza.  Fluzone High-Dose vaccines contain 4 times the amount of antigen contained in regular flu shots.  The additional antigen is intended to create a stronger immune response in the person getting the vaccine.

Health officials: Get a flu shot

Health officials:  Get a flu shot

State public health officials are encouraging Kentuckians to get the flu vaccine now to reduce the spread of illness this coming flu season.

“We recommend that Kentuckians get their flu vaccine now to protect themselves and their families as we move into flu season,” said Steve Davis, M.D., acting commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH). “Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect against the flu’s spread and severity.”

Changes for kids vaccine schedule begin July 1

Changes for kids vaccine schedule begin July 1

Regulations governing the state’s immunization schedule for infants, toddlers and school-age children have been amended, adding or altering the types of certain vaccines required for school, day care, preschool and Head Start entry and changing the vaccination schedule for others, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced.

Immunization requirements were updated to better align Kentucky’s schedule with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).