Summer allows more time for kids to enjoy
outdoor activities. When kids are covered with
bug bites after being outside, parents may start to
worry about disease spread by ticks, such as Lyme
disease, or by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus.
Luckily, you can take simple steps to prevent bites
& diseases spread by bugs.
Use an effective Insect Repellent
Looking through the many insect repellents in the
grocery store can be overwhelming and may
leave you wondering which ones are the best. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommend a variety of effective products, as
listed in the wallet card below—sized to cut & keep
in your wallet.
As hard as it may be to think about, any single bug
bite has the potential to bring illness, so it’s worth
taking a moment for prevention.
Make your backyard a tick-safe zone While you may think that ticks only live in the
woods, ticks can also lurk in backyards. Here are
some simple landscaping techniques that can help
reduce tick populations:
Remove leaf litter.
Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and
at the edge of lawns.
Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or
gravel between lawns and wooded areas to
restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
Mow the lawn frequently.
Stack wood neatly and in a dry area
(discourages rodents).
Keep playground equipment, decks, and
patios away from yard edges and trees.
Discourage animals (such as deer, raccoons,
and stray dogs) from entering your yard by
putting up fences.
Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from
the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.
Check for Ticks ✔ Ticks can ride in on parents, kids, and even the
family pet. Check clothing and pets as soon as
you get inside!
✔ Bathe or shower as soon as possible after
coming indoors (preferably within two hours)
✔ Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for
10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you
come indoors
For more information on ticks and mosquitoes, visit:
www.cdc.gov.
January / February 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
Protect your family from bug bitesProtect your family from bug bites….…..……. 1
It’s Hurricane Season……….…..…………..…… 2
Bats & Rabies…………………….…………......… 3
Food Safety at Fairs & Festivals..………………. 4
National Immunization Awareness Month….. 5
Events and Resources…………………………... 6
Don’t let mosquitoes & ticks bug you this summer
Volume 4, Issue 4
July/August 2017
Paul Masaba, MD, MPH & TM
Director of Health/Health Officer
SCDOH in Action!
SCDOH’s Fight the Bite! Fight the Bite! program provides
residents with tools and resources that can help them to
protect themselves and families from mosquito bites.
For more information on the Fight the Bite! Fight the Bite! program, visit
our website at: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 each year.
Hurricanes are dangerous and destructive. They can cause high winds,
flooding, heavy rain, and storm surges (high tidal waves).
You can’t stop a tropical storm or hurricane, but you can take steps now to
protect you and your family. Follow these important preparedness tips to
make sure you and your family are ready:
✔ Prepare for a Hurricane: Take basic steps now to ensure your safety,
should a storm hit.
✔ Emergency Supplies: Stock your home and your car with supplies.
✔ Make a Plan: Create a family disaster plan.
✔ Prepare to Evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
✔ Protecting Older Adults: Understand older adult health and medical
concerns.
✔ Protecting Pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after an emergency.
✔ Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning after the storm: Place generators outside at least 20 feet from any
door, window, or vent. Check with local officials to see if your generator is safe or needs a permit.
✔ After a hurricane: Learn how to avoid injuries and make sure your food and water are safe.
CDC strongly recommends that you print all important resources before a hurricane strikes. Power outages
during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it.
Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe.
For more information on hurricanes, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.html
Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4
Page 2.
It’s Hurricane Season: Are you Ready?
SCDOH in Action!
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to
improve the health and safety of their communities. MRC units engage these volunteers to
strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities and build community
resiliency. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other
community members without healthcare backgrounds.
There are many benefits to being a volunteer for the MRC.
As an MRC volunteer, you are registered as an emergency worker, meaning you work within the
established system for emergency response.
Being a member of the MRC does not cost anything.
MRC volunteers receive the most current preparedness training
You get to give back to your community!
This year, Somerset County MRC will be implementing the Revitalization Initiative! Our unit has been working
for over a decade to strengthen its communities and assist them in becoming more resilient. This MRC is in a
unique position to help communities prepare for an emergency, actively assist during an emergency, and
aid in the recovery period following an emergency. One way that they can do this is by enhancing
community collaboration and partnerships. An Engagement Team/Advisory Board of veteran MRC members
has been established and trained to go out into the community and raise awareness of the MRC program
with the goal of recruiting new individuals for the unit. You do not have to be a health professional; there are
always jobs for everyone!
Join the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps! Apply online at https://njmrc.nj.gov!
SCDOH has created resources to help you build your own family
emergency guide, including: emergency contact card, coping after a
disaster, cleaning up the house post-disaster, protecting yourself during
clean-up, food safety after a power outage, and sheltering information.
Visit our website to
download the resources:
www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
There may be more myths about bats than any other animal. Some people
think bats are creepy nighttime vampires out to haunt humans. In fact,
these flying animals are extremely useful to humans and are gentle,
intelligent creatures. Like other mammals, including ourselves and many of
our pets, bats have hair or fur on their bodies and are warm-blooded. These
creatures are the only mammals that can fly. Bats use this flying skill to
protect us from mosquitoes, as they are the primary predators of night flying
insects. A single little brown bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquito sized
insects in an hour and up to 3,000 insects in a single night. While bats are an
important part of our environment, everyone needs to be aware of their role
in transmitting rabies.
While most bats don’t have rabies, bat bites are still of great concern. When people are bitten by other
animals, the bites are usually large enough that they consult their health care provider, and are evaluated for
possible rabies risk. However, bat bites are small and may be overlooked. This is why it is very important to
seek medical advice after any contact with a bat.
Just looking at a bat, you can’t tell if it has rabies. Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory. But any bat
that is active by day or is found in a place where bats are not usually seen - like in your home or on your lawn
-- just might be rabid. A bat that is unable to fly and is easily approached could very well be sick. Bats only
come out when the sun is down. If you see a bat that can´t fly, or see a bat during the day, there might be
something wrong. The bat may be sick, and you should be sure to stay away and contact your local animal
control agency.
Rabies is a fatal disease. Each year, tens of thousands of people across the world are successfully protected
from developing rabies through vaccination after being bitten by an animal - like a bat - that may have
rabies. There are usually only one or two human rabies cases each year in the United States, and the most
common way for people to get rabies in the United States is through contact with a bat. However, it’s also
important to assure your family pets are protected too, by bringing them to get their rabies’ shots.
Rabies is a major reason why you should teach your children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or
domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for
children to learn.
What should you do if you are unlucky enough to receive a bat bite?
Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention
immediately.
Have all dead, sick, or easily captured bats tested for rabies if exposure to people or pets occurs.
Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools,
and other similar areas where they might contact people and pets.
Be sure your pets are vaccinated. When scheduled, area rabies clinics are posted on the
Somerset County Department of Health website at: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
Awareness of the facts about bats and rabies can help people protect themselves, their
families, and their pets. This information may also help clear up misunderstandings about bats.
To learn more, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/bat_fact_sheet.pdf, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention www.cdc.gov/rabies or Somerset County Department of Health www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4
Page 3.
Bats & Rabies
Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4
Page 4.
Food Safety at Fairs & Festivals
A fun summer activity for
many people is attending
fairs, festivals, & carnivals.
One of the biggest draws to
these events is the many
different types of foods &
drinks available.
Foodborne illnesses increase during the summer
months, making it even more important to follow
food safety steps. One reason for the increase in
illness is that people are cooking & eating outside
more often. Sometimes the usual safety controls
that a kitchen provides, like monitoring of food
temperatures, refrigeration, workers trained in food
safety and washing facilities, may not be available
when cooking and dining at fairs & festivals. Food
safety practices should be the same at fairs as they
are at restaurants & at home: Clean, Separate,
Cook, & Chill.
What should you consider before buying food from
a vendor?
Does the vendor have a clean/tidy
workstation?
Does the vendor have a sink for employees to
wash their hands?
Do the employees wear gloves or use tongs
when handling food?
Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for
raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?
Has the vendor been inspected? Is a recent
inspection report available? Requirements vary
by state, but in general temporary & mobile
vendors, like those at fairs &carnivals, should
have a license to sell food & beverages. You
can check with the local health department to
see if the vendors are licensed & if a food
inspection has been completed.
Are there healthy food alternatives to consider at
fairs & festivals?
When purchasing food from a vendor, look for
healthy options first. If they are not available,
consider bringing your own food to save money &
calories. Bringing food from home allows you to
eat a healthy meal or snack as a family, while still
enjoying the festive atmosphere around you.
Remember: Keep safe food storage practices in
mind, cold foods cold & hot foods hot!
What steps you can take to protect your family:
Wash Hands Often:
Find out where hand washing stations are
located.
Always wash your hands right after petting
animals, touching the animal enclosure, &
exiting animal areas – even if you did not touch
an animal.
Always wash hands after using the restroom,
after playing a game or going on a ride,
before eating & drinking, before preparing
food or drinks, after changing diapers, & after
removing soiled clothes or shoes.
Bring hand sanitizers or disposable wipes in
case there aren't any places to wash your
hands.
Wash your hands with soap & clean running water
for at least 20 seconds. **Hand sanitizers are not as
effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Report Illness:
Anytime you think you may have gotten a
foodborne illness, report it to your local health
department, even if you have already recovered.
The local public health department is an important
part of the food safety system. Often, calls from
concerned citizens are how outbreaks are first
detected.
VENDORS: Requirements differ by state, but in
general temporary & mobile food vendors should
apply for a food license with the fair's state or
county health department. Many
community-based organizations set up booths to
sell various foods at local festivals & fairs too.
Including a person trained in food safety
throughout the planning process, as well as have
them present at the fair is important. It is also
important that food safety steps are followed so
the food served doesn't make anyone sick. All
food vendors must follow the four basic food safety
steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, & Chill.
SCDOH serves as the Health Department to our
contracted communities: Bedminster (including
Pluckemin, Pottersville), Far Hills, Franklin (including
East Millstone, Franklin Park, Kingston, Middlebush,
Griggstown, Little Rocky Hill, Somerset, Zarephath),
Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville.
If you live in any other township,
please contact your local health department.
Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4
Page 5.
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the
importance of vaccination for people of all ages. NIAM was established to encourage people of all ages to
make sure they are up to date on the vaccines recommended for them.
Each week of National Immunization Awareness Month focuses on a
different stage of the lifespan:
✔ Babies and young children (July 31-August 6)
✔ Pregnant women (August 7-13)
✔ Adults (August 14-20)
✔ Preteen/Teen (August 21-27)
✔ Back to School (July/August)
Back-to-school season will be here before you know it! It’s the time for parents to gather school supplies and
back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines. Vaccines
protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. When children are not
vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms
and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened
immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions. Talk to your child’s doctor to find out which
vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school. For more information about
National Immunization Awareness Month, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html.
Do you have unpleasant memories of getting the chickenpox when you
were young? You may remember having an uncomfortable rash, staying
home from school for a week, and trying not to scratch the scabs. You may
also remember it as a rite of passage, because all of your friends got it—It
was just part of growing up. That’s because chickenpox is very contagious.
One child can spread it to another from 1 to 2 days before they get the rash
until all their chickenpox blisters have formed scabs (usually 5-7 days). But,
now, your children don’t have to suffer the way and your friends did because
there’s a vaccine to protect them against chickenpox.
Before the chickenpox vaccine became available, nearly 11,000 people
were hospitalized and about 50 children died. The disease can cause serious
complications, even in healthy children. These complications include skin
infections, lung infections (pneumonia), swelling of the brain, bleeding
problems, blood stream infections (sepsis), and dehydration.
“The most important thing to remember is that we cannot predict which child will get a serious case or have
complications from the chickenpox,” explained Dr. Stephanie Bialek at the CDC. “The chickenpox vaccine is
very safe, and about 90% of kids who get both recommended doses of the chickenpox vaccine are
protected against the disease. Therefore, we recommend that children get vaccinated.”
CDC recommends children get the first dose of the chickenpox vaccine at age 12 through 15 months old
and the second at age 4 through 6 years. Some children do get the disease even after they are vaccinated,
but it’s usually milder. Children who get chickenpox after vaccination typically have fewer red spots or
blisters and mild or no fever. The chickenpox vaccine prevents almost all cases of severe disease. If your child
only got one dose in the past, check with your child’s doctor about getting a second dose.
If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. See
more information about vaccines (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents). See more information about
chickenpox (https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/).
Why Your Child Needs Chickenpox Vaccine
Events & Resources
Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/
schealthdept
Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4
A publication of the Somerset County Department of Health
P.O. Box 3000 27 Warren Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-231-7155
www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this publication should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice of your physician.
Readers should consult their physicians for answers to specific clinical questions.
Page 6.
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For more information visit our website: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health
July 15 Free Skin Cancer Screening
Bee Meadow Pool—Hanover Township
11:00am to 1:00pm
July 20 SCDOH will be at the ballpark
Going to the game? Stop by our information table!
Somerset Patriots—TD Ballpark—7:05PM Game
August 26 SCDOH will be at the ballpark
Going to the game? Stop by our information table!
Somerset Patriots—TD Ballpark—7:05PM Game
Health Observances
July
UV Safety Month
July 15th
Choose Your Cover
August
National Immunization
Awareness Month
#NIAM17
Free Family Fun!
August 9-10-11, 2017
North Branch Park, Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ
Visit Somerset County Department of Health in the Somerset County tent!
LINCS Notifications
Somerset County participates in the Public Health Emergency
Notification System (PHENS) and the Local Information Network
Communications System (LINCS) for notices on urgent health threats.
Interested? Sign up here or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.
For a calendar of programs, please visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/health