Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The CDC established National Influenza Vaccination Week to remind people that it's not too late to get a flu shot.
The flu season is off to an earlier-than-usual start nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Activity is most intense in the south-central and southeast of the country right now," the a CDC report released Monday says. "Most of the viruses characterized so far this season have been H3N2 viruses; which are typically associated with more severe seasons." The CDC established Dec. 2-8 as National Influenza Vaccination Week. The week is highlighted to remind people to get flu vaccinations before flu season. Last week, a Mayo Clinic report suggested people at risk for heart disease who get flu shots reduce their risk for heart attacks. This week, the Fairfax County Health Department will provide tips and …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
County sees an increase in number of animals submitted for testing.
Recent, well-publicized attacks by rabid beavers have a number of Fairfax County residents wondering if there has been an increase in rabid animals this year. As of Oct. 1, there have been 38 positive rabies cases in the county, according to Fairfax County Police Public Information Officer Lucy Caldwell. Most of them are raccoons, but some were bats, beavers, skunks, foxes and one was a cat. “Each year, the Fairfax County Health Department Laboratory tests between 400 and 500 animals submitted from within Fairfax County,” said Dr. Peter Troell, medical epidemiologist for the Fairfax County Health Department, in a recent email. “Most years, approximately 10 percent of these animals test positive for rabies. In 2011, 42 animals tested …
Friday, August 24, 2012
The number of infections is rising nationally, but so far there's been few problems in Virginia.
West Nile virus infections are on the rise nationwide, with 1,118 cases reported to theCenters for Disease Control so far this year - the highest tally since the virus was first found in the United States in 1999. Virginia's two reported cases, however, pale in comparison to the 298 reported in Texas. There have been no reported infections in Northern Virginia. The CDC reports 75 percent of this year's West Nile infections are from five states: Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota and Oklahoma. So far, 47 states have reported infections and 41 people have died from the virus. West Nile symptoms include: The virus spreads to people, other mammals and birds through mosquito bites. People cannot spread West Nile by touching or kissing …
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Dr. Jorge Arias of the Fairfax County Health Dept. talks about what the county is doing to prevent West Nile Virus.
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012
In this video produced by Fairfax County, Dr. Jorge Arias of the Fairfax County Health Dept. talks about what the county is doing to prevent West Nile Virus. He also explains what residents can do to protect themselves.
Jody
10:38 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
If you want/need to avoid mercury, make sure you get the single dose type or the nasal spray type. All the multi-dose flu vaccines contain mercury. more ›