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Zika Virus: Get the Facts Zika is a disease spread to people through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain and red-eye. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital and they very rarely die of Zika.

What are the Health Risks? There have been recent reports of serious birth defects of the brains and heads of babies whose mothers were infected with the Zika virus while being pregnant. Experts are still determining the actual link between the Zika virus and these birth defects, but until more is known, the CDC recommends that women who are pregnant (in any trimester) or are trying to become pregnant take the following precautions:

• Consider postponing travel toany area where Zika virustransmission is ongoing

• Take all possible steps toavoid mosquito bites andmosquito-prone areas.

How is Zika Transmitted? Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites. The main concern is that the Zika virus may also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

What Can People Do To Prevent Becoming Infected with Zika? • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants• Use insect repellents approved by the EPA• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin-based insect repellant spray or use

permethrin-treated items • Use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside• If you have a baby or child:

o Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of ageo Adults should spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply to a

child’s face.

Don’t Worry. Be Prepared. Don’t panic if you hear reports of the Zika virus in or around your area. While there have been reported cases in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, most of these cases were the result of people being infected while they were in Zika-infected countries within Central and South America. Nevertheless, experts predict that more cases will show up in and around the US. Just remember to be consistent in taking all the necessary steps in preventing mosquito bites, treating the symptoms if you get infected and limiting exposure to mosquito bites when you are infected. Like other mosquito-spread diseases, the Zika virus can be prevented and managed.

Environmental, Health & Safety Newsletter

What Should I Do If I Get Infected? Currently, there is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections. The recommend treatment for people infected with the Zika virus is to treat the symptoms: • Get plenty of rest• Drink fluids to prevent

dehydration • Take medicine such as

acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) to reduce fever and pain

• Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs.

DANIELLE KIMBLE- NEWCASTLE PC

SHANNA MILLER- THE INN @ T.V.

CHRISTIE CASSELL- BEDRE CHOCOLATE

TAMMY RASURE- WINSTAR S&R

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MARCH 2016 EHS NEWSLETTER

Tornado Preparation: Being Prepared Can Save Your life Knowing what to do when you see a tornado, or when you hear a tornado warning, can help protect you and your family. During a tornado, people face hazards from extremely powerful winds and also risk being struck by flying and falling objects. Even after a tornado, the wreckage left behind can pose additional risks. Although nothing can be done to prevent tornadoes, there are some basic actions and simple steps that can secure your health and safety during tornado season.

Be Alert for Storm Watches and Warnings When there are thunderstorms in your area, be sure to check weather websites, phone apps and local radio and TV

stations to get the latest emergency information from local authorities. Also listen for regional announcements of a tornado watch or tornado warnings.

Local Warning System Learn about the tornado warning system of your county or city. Most tornado-prone areas have a

siren system. Know how to distinguish the difference between a siren's warnings for a tornado watch verses that of a tornado warning.

Tornado Watch A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes, for example, during a severe thunderstorm.

Tornado Warning A tornado warning is issued when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by weather radar. When a warming is issued, take shelter immediately!

Important Measures To Take • Develop a tornado emergency plan with your family • Design a floor plan of your residence showing all

emergency exits and where and how to seek shelter • Make sure everyone understands the siren warning

system in your area • Make sure everyone knows the locations of all first-aid

kits and fire extinguishers • Mark where all utility switches or valves are located so

they can be turned off in an emergency if time permits.

• Teach your family how to administer basic first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher and how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home

• Make sure your children know: o What a tornado is o What tornado watches and warnings are o What county they live in (warnings are often issued

by county) o How to take shelter, whether at home or at school.

Storing Important Documents and Information Store the following documents in a fire- and water-proof safe: • Birth certificates • Ownership certificates (autos, boats, etc.) • Social security cards • Insurance policies • Important medical information (allergies, regular

medications and any medical histories)

Don’t Be Afraid, Be Prepared. Information, planning and preparation are the best tools to help you and your family during tornado season. Conduct frequent emergency drills and ask questions to make sure everyone in your family knows what to do and where to go during a tornado warning or watch. Tornadoes may be unpreventable, but these simple preparations will help protect your family’s health and safety.

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MARCH 2016 EHS NEWSLETTER

When It Comes To Your Health, Put Your Heart Into It Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. Nevertheless, you can help prevent heart disease by living a heart-healthy lifestyle and by managing any heart conditions you may already have. A heart-healthy lifestyle should include the daily practice of the following habits: • Eating a healthy diet • Maintaining a healthy weight • Getting enough physical activity.

Eating a Healthy Diet Choosing healthy meal options can help you avoid heart disease and related conditions. It is generally recommended to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, while eating fewer processed foods when possible. Reducing certain types of food can also prevent heart disease and other related health issues. Eating foods low in saturated fats can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can help lower blood pressure. And while many of us have a sweet tooth, limiting your daily intake of sugar can also lower you blood sugar levels, which in turn can help prevent or control diabetes.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight Being overweight or obese increases your risk for heart disease. To determine if your weight is in a healthy range, doctors usually calculate your body mass index (BMI). If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI with the following formula: take your weight (in pounds) and divide it by your height in inches (i.e. 5’8” would be 68”) squared. Then multiply that number by 703. The resulting answer will give you a number somewhere between 18 and 30. Any BMI number between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered to be a normal or healthy weight, whereas anything above or below that range is considered overweight or underweight. For example, the BMI for a person who weighs 135 pounds with a height of 5’8” (or 68”) would be calculated as follows: [135 ÷ (68)2] x 703 = 20.5.

The person’s BMI number is 20.5 and is within the normal weight range (between 18.5 and 24.9). Go ahead and calculate your own BMI using your weight and height with the BMI formula. Your heart will thank you for it.

Getting Enough Physical Activity Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is recommended that adults engage in two and a half hours a week of moderate exercise, such as walking, bicycling or other cardio exercises. Children should get at least one hour of physical activity every day.

Make Everyday a Heart-Healthy Day While heart disease is the number one killer in the USA today, simple lifestyle choices and changes can help make this epidemic preventable and manageable. By choosing a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and incorporating moderate exercise into your daily routine, you will greatly reduce your chances of heart disease and its related health issues. Frequent monitoring and testing of your cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes will also help keep your heart issues manageable and treatable. So when it comes to your health, make everyday a heart-healthy day and put your heart into it.

EHS NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016

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Name ____________________________________ Facility ___________________________________ Department ________________________________

Fill-In the Blanks

1. A ____________ _____________ is issued when weather conditions favor theformation of tornadoes. 2. A ____________ _____________ is issued when a tornado funnel is sighted orindicated by weather radar. 3. Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ________ mosquitoes.4. The most common symptoms of Zika are ____________, rash, joint pain and red-eye.5. If you become infected, you should get plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent_______________ and take ________________ to reduce fever and pain. 6. A heart-healthy lifestyle includes the daily practice of eating a healthy _________ ,maintaining a healthy __________, and getting enough ____________ _____________. 7. ____________ ___________ is the number one killer in the USA today.8. Any BMI number between _______ and _______ is considered to be a normal orhealthy weight.

Word Search TORNADO THUNDERSTORM WARNING WATCH ZIKA MOSQUITO ACETAMINOPHEN REPELLANT DIABETES CHOLESTEROL EXERCISE DIET HEART WEIGHT BLOOD PRESSURE