Tallahassee, Fla. — Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez andFlorida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees meet with Martin County elected officials and community stakeholders on Wednesday, July 10thto address the Hepatitis A outbreak that has impacted Martin County and other communities across Florida. In attendance were state legislators, local government officials, the sheriff’s office and health care and other community stakeholders.
Lieutenant Governor Nuñez and Surgeon General Rivkees met with these community partners to discuss Hepatitis A and their initiatives to curb the spread of Hepatitis A in Martin County and throughout the state.
“Governor DeSantis and I agree that the health and safety of Floridians is our number one priority,”said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez.“We are working closely with Surgeon General Rivkees, the CDC and our community partners to aggressively respond to Hepatitis A in our state.”
“I have been impressed to hear how proactive Martin County has been with their vaccination and education efforts to address the Hepatitis A outbreak in their community,” said Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees.“The fact remains that while we continue to investigate the causes as to why this outbreak is happening and find ways to mitigate the effects of this disease, vaccination and education remain key components to prevention and these efforts must continue.”
“I am grateful to Lieutenant Governor Nuñez and Surgeon General Rivkees for their continued efforts to address the issue of hepatitis A in our community,”said Senator Gayle Harrell.“As we work to expand our vaccination and prevention activities here in Martin County and throughout the state, I want to assure our residents that we are doing everything possible to protect their health.”
“Hepatitis A remains a serious concern for our community, especially in heavily impacted areas like Martin County,”said Representative Overdorf.“I am grateful for Dr. Rivkees’ focus on this issue and look forward to working closely with him and the entire Department of Health to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors to the area.”
“Stopping the spread of hepatitis A in our community is one of the most important priorities that I am focused on,”said Representative MaryLynn Magar.“I am thankful for the support of our Lieutenant Governor and Surgeon General for their commitment in addressing this issue in our community, and I look forward to working with them and the leaders in our community to stop the spread of hepatitis A and protect the people of Martin County and the state of Florida.”
Since January 2019, 1811 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Florida. This increase in cases reflects national trends, with more than 20,000 cases identified nationwide. Local and state health departments across the country have worked closely with the CDC to respond to similar outbreaks since March 2017.
About Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus and prevented with the Hepatitis A vaccine. The Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people who are infected and can survive on surfaces for several months. When hearing about Hepatitis A, many people think of contaminated food or water. That is one way the virus can spread and a common way that international travelers get infected. However, most people don’t know that in the United States, and in Florida, Hepatitis A is more commonly spread from person to person, which is how people are getting infected in the current outbreaks.
Infection can occur when someone ingests the virus, usually through close personal contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is very contagious, and people can spread the virus before they get symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, and yellow skin or eyes. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months. While most people recover and do not have lasting liver damage, some people need to be hospitalized and even die. People with chronic liver or kidney disease or a compromised immune system are more likely to experience severe illness, leading to liver failure and possible death.
While Hepatitis A can affect anyone, certain groups are at greater risk of being infected in these outbreaks. To help stop the outbreaks, CDC recommends the Hepatitis A vaccine for people who use drugs (including drugs that are not injected), people experiencing homelessness, men who have sex with men, people with liver disease, and people who are or were recently in jail or prison.
Preventing Hepatitis A
Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A is the cornerstone of controlling the outbreak. Hepatitis A is easily prevented with a safe and effective vaccine that has been recommended since 2006 for all children at age one. This means, however, that many adults did not get the Hepatitis A vaccine as a child and therefore are not protected against the disease.
To help stop the outbreaks, the CDC recommends the Hepatitis A vaccine for people who use drugs (including drugs that are not injected), people experiencing homelessness, men who have sex with men, people with liver disease, and people who are or were recently in jail or prison. The vaccine is recommended for adults at risk, including groups affected in these outbreaks, as well as travelers to certain international countries.
Persons at risk of hepatitis infection who have not been vaccinated or do not know their vaccination status should speak to their health care provider or contact their local county health department.
The symptoms of Hepatitis A include: fever, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, diarrhea, and gray clay-colored stool. Those with symptoms of Hepatitis A should visit their health care provider for evaluation.
Practicing good hand hygiene also plays an important role in preventing the spread of Hepatitis A.
Make sure to wash hands after using the bathroom — alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill the Hepatitis A virus. Use soap and running water and wash for at least 20 seconds, wash hands after changing a diaper or caring for person, and wash hands before preparing, serving or eating food.
How Hepatitis A is Investigated by the Department of Health
After a case of Hepatitis A has been reported to the FDOH by a health care provider, a county health department (CHD) epidemiologist will interview the individual and collect information regarding the timeline of their previous 50 days, including travel, occupation, drug use, food history and more. The epidemiologist will then identify close contacts of the ill person. If given within 14 days, the Hepatitis A vaccine will help prevent infection among anyone exposed to the virus. As with the national outbreak, the majority of cases of Hepatitis A in Florida are close contacts of persons experiencing homelessness or persons who use or inject drugs. Less than 5% of cases have been identified among food workers. To date, FDOH has not identified a case of hepatitis A transmission from a food worker to a restaurant patron.
For More Information
For any questions or concerns about Hepatitis A, residents and visitors can call 1-844-CALL-DOH(844)225-5364), or email hepa@flhealth.gov.
The Florida Department of Health has published a webpage, www.floridahealth.gov/hepa to educate Floridians on Hepatitis A prevention and the steps everyone should take to prevent the spread of infection.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by thePublic Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
What is Streptococcus Pyogenes or Flesh Eating Bacteria?
What Can Floridians Do to Prevent This From Effecting Them and Their Families?
Streptococcus Pyogenes
Most recently Florida is seeing an influx of emergency room visits for this. Find out more about Flesh Eating Bacteria. Flesh eating bacteria, also known as, Streptococcus pyogenes, which was recently discovered on Florida Beaches, seems to be one of the next issues facing Florida beach goers.
Flesh-eating bacteria cases have been seen in increasing numbers throughout Florida, including the recent death of a Florida woman and multiple close calls. “Since 2010, approximately 700 to 1,200 cases occur each year in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the CDC, which has been tracking the infections, says those numbers are likely underestimated. Officials with the Florida Department of Health said in an email to News 6 that necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the umbrella term of “flesh-eating bacteria” is caused by more than one type of bacteria.
Updated Post: 04/24/2019
New evidence suggesting ‘Cynthia’ is to blame, a man made flesh eating bacteria monster that’s scaring every community around the Gulf of Mexico taking victims in as little as 24 – 48 hours. This was created in an effort to fix BP’s public relations issues and help clean up the oil spill.
We all remember the BP oil spill. Scientists in Florida began working right away on an organic bacteria that could eat oil and help heal the ocean floor. What they have created is a flesh eating bacteria harming the ocean and civilization alike. More updated information is available via Google Search.
Several bacteria common in Florida’s water bodies can cause this condition.
Vibrio vulnificus is a subset of flesh-eating bacteria that is naturally occurring in warm, salty waters such as the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding bays. This kind of bacteria is seen in higher numbers when the water becomes warm, like it does every summer in Florida. “Waters are getting warmer, and the bacteria love warmer water, so we’re all at higher risk,” CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus said. The following four safety tips can help reduce the risk of exposure to the dangerous bacteria.
The CDC “encourages all people to avoid open bodies of water, pools and hot tubs with breaks in the skin. These can include cuts and scrapes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds, or surgical wounds.”
If you do have a cut, just make sure it is properly covered. A waterproof Band-Aid will can do. If it falls off in the water, make sure to clean and treat the wound. The Florida Department of Health and the CDC encourage wound care, to keep bacterial skin infection at bay. Keep open wounds covered with clean, dry bandages until healed, and don’t delay first aid of even minor, non-infected wounds like blisters, scrapes or any break in the skin, according to the Department of Health.
However, “severe infections with Vibrio vulnificus are extremely rare” and can be treated with antibiotics or surgery in more extreme cases, according to the Department of Health. Being correctly diagnosed and treated is one of the most important things to prevent the bacteria from spreading. Symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, fever, severe pain in the area or red or swollen skin near or around a wound.
Lastly, if you do seek medical attention, make sure you let your doctor know of any recent water exposures including Gulf or bay waters, pools or hot tubs.
FLDOH Public Messaging Campaigns For Programs With a Low Budget!
What can we do to raise awareness about these issues to the public?
Here are some ideas for public messaging…
One State Approved Health Department Vendor in Florida, All Star Media Solutions Inc, is Helping Raise Awareness About HIV, HEP, AIDS and Other Important Health Issues Facing Florida Residents
The Florida Health Department is involved in the State’s health messaging programs across Florida communities.
We have specifically been assisting the FLDOH with their outdoor print awareness campaigns and prevention initiatives for the last 5 years across various Florida Counties.
Some of the issues facing Florida residents include but are not limited to:
Drug Abuse
Human Trafficking
HIV
Hepatitis A, B, C
AIDS
Flesh Eating Bacteria
And other illnesses, diseases and public health crises
It’s Time to Raise Awareness About Seizures and Epilepsy
Thousands of people suffer from seizures every year. Some aren’t so lucky enough to get out alive. This tragic story about Cameron Boyce, a Disney Channel Star, is a horrific one. At just 20 years old Cameron Boyce suffered a very damaging seizure.
Information wasn’t available immediately following the tragic news. When this happens it makes some media sceptics jump to conclusions wondering immediately about the worse case scenario like drug overdose or opioid abuse.
At such a young age this is possible but not likely according to relatives and friends as there would have been some signs which there were not.
According to a quick search on the web,
Epilepsyis a neurological disorder caused by unusual nerve cell activity in the brain.
Each year, about150,000 Americansare diagnosed with this central nervous system disorder that causesseizures. Over a lifetime,1 in 26 U.S. peoplewill be diagnosed with the disease.
Epilepsyis a neurological disorder caused by unusual nerve cell activity in the brain.
Each year, about150,000 Americansare diagnosed with this central nervous system disorder that causesseizures. Over a lifetime,1 in 26 U.S. peoplewill be diagnosed with the disease.
Epilepsy is thefourth most common neurological diseaseafter migraines, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
Seizures can cause a range of symptoms, from momentarily staring blankly to loss of awareness and uncontrollable twitching. Some seizures can be milder than others, but even minor seizures can be dangerous if they occur during activities like swimming or driving.
Epilepsyis a neurological disorder caused by unusual nerve cell activity in the brain.
Seizures can cause a range of symptoms, from momentarily staring blankly to loss of awareness and uncontrollable twitching. Some seizures can be milder than others, but even minor seizures can be dangerous if they occur during activities like swimming or driving.
Ah yes, America on The 4th of July 2019 Wouldn’t Be The Same Without Fireworks. Over the years we have accumulated videos of fireworks gone wrong on the 4th of July.
Please enjoy and remember to share the link from this page.
Facebook was hit with a major outage today, July 3rd 2019, as users around the world reported photos not uploading and displaying correctly. The outage also affected Facebook-owned apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp.
If you’ve been seeing blank gray or broken icons in places where photos should be, it’s not just you!
Starting at around 10am EST (7am PST), users of Facebook and Instagram began reporting that photos weren’t showing up after being uploaded.
Many photos were replaced with broken image icons, but since Facebook includesAI-generated descriptions of photos for the visually impaired, many photos were also replaced with text descriptions.
Downdetector reportsthat “Pictures” has been the most reported problem, and its outage map shows reports flooding in from all over the world.
Facebook and Instagram soon acknowledged that they were experiencing issues… #instagramdown
The outage has been going on for over three hours so far, at the time of this writing.
“We’re aware that some people are having trouble uploading or sending images, videos and other files on our apps,” Facebook writes.
“We’re sorry for the trouble and are working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”
