|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Fact
of the Week > Health
Alerts |
| |
|
7-26-2010
Preparedness
Facts of the Week
by
Elizabeth Hall, Emergency
Services Specialist - Kings County Office of Emergency
Management |
|
|
|
| |
| Navigating
"Health Alerts" |
|
|
| |
| |
| News
alerts! Financial alerts! Weather
alerts! Government alerts! Health
Alerts! |
| Oh
my gosh! Is there any peace in today’s world? Is
it any wonder why we just turn a tired
eye and ignore what use to be minimal
notices and warnings saved ONLY for
news that is more serious? Do you ever
see the “News Alert” news
ticker flashing across the television
screen; drop everything you are doing
to turn up the volume to see what is
so important, only to find out that
it is nothing more than just a minor
update on a previous story; an update
certainly not “Alert” worthy!
Can you just feel the frustration?
Our days are full of appointments,
meetings, chores, work and reading
that when we hear of yet another
alert, unfortunately, we are not
prone to take any of them seriously…unless
of course they are airing the same
story on every television channel
that you are tuned into while trying
to relax at home with something
more lighthearted.
Although
I cannot control the media and all
its alerts, I can tell you
that if we have a Health issue or
an Emergency situation here in California,
even in Kings County, you can find
the latest updates on our home page
at www.kingscountyoem.com.
|
| |
 |
Since California has had two health issues the past few weeks, Pertussis,
otherwise known as Whooping Cough, and two reported West
Nile Virus human cases, we have moved our “Health
Alert” section to the top upper right hand
corner of our website for easy access to information you need in
a timely matter. Just a click and you are informed with the latest. |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| By
clicking on the first link, “CDPH
Recommends Vaccinating against
Whooping Cough”, it will
take you to the latest news release
regarding Whooping Cough. CDPH’s
Chief of the Center for Infectious
Disease, Dr. Gilberto Chãvez,
has stated “We are facing
what could be the worst year
for Pertussis that this state
has seen in more than 50 years.” This
release has some important information
you need as well as links at
the bottom for more information.
Information in Spanish is also
available.
There
is also another link to Pertussis
information as well as the
news release regarding the
two West Nile Virus (WNV)
cases in California with
links to the resources and
information you need to know
regarding the West Nile Virus
and how to protect yourself.
|
|
|
|
| |
Example
Main Points you Need to Know About Pertussis
|
|
| |
- Pertussis
is a very contagious disease that can spread
very quickly.
- The
first dose of the vaccine is generally
given at 2 months of age.
- The
CDC recommends starting at 6 weeks
during this epidemic.
- Since
the vaccine is given so young,
it wanes after about
10 years, so
almost
90% of teens and adults are no longer
fully immunized. With this in mind, it
is recommended
that these individuals receive a booster.
- Newborns
are helpless and it takes just
one breath to infect
them.
- It
is the young infant that is too young
to vaccinate and infants not yet fully
immunized who are at the greatest risk. This
is just one reason why it is so important
that teens and adults, especially those around
infants, receive a booster vaccine for Pertussis.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
There
are short documented stories and video clips
of parents sharing their Pertussis stories
that is quite moving. I suggest when you
have a few moments to check them out. The
link to them is http://shotbyshot.org/story-gallery#Pertussis.
May I suggest two in particular? The first
one is entitled “A Pertussis Story”,
a short 3:31 minute clip. The second one
is entitled “Dylan’s Story”,
a 5.38 minute clip.
There are also two stories in Spanish
on this same page. They are not; however,
video
clips, but stories written in Spanish. The
first is entitled “La Historia de Vanessa”,
a story of an infant. The second, “La
Historia de Samantha” a story of a
teen. I myself did not realize the seriousness
of Pertussis until I viewed these stories.
They are really worth viewing and I hope
you take the time to look them up.
Remember,
knowledge is power, and I hope you pass
along this information to your family
and friends. You may think this topic does
not pertain to you, but chances are someone
you know will benefit from this information
and you could make the difference in someone’s
life. Pass it on!
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Do
your part for safety awareness by passing this
information along to anyone you can think of
who would benefit.
Have
a great week, and remember…… Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Teaming Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall
Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
