WARREN COUNTY COMBINED HEALTH DISTRICT Prevent-Promote-Protect

NO. 375 Duane Stansbury, R.S., M.P.H July 2017 NEWS & INFORMATION Health Commissioner

www.wcchd.com

Beat the Heat Stay Healthy

at the It is the time of year when as yard work or exercise during movie theaters and other public we tend to see a lot of hot and hu- the day. Activities should occur areas are air-conditioned and Warren County mid weather. The Warren County in the morning or in the evening. can be visited during the day to Fair Health District would like to re- Stay in the shade as much as pos- help aid in keeping individuals mind you that temperatures during sible. cool. July 17-22 this time of the year can some- — Individuals with chronic times be potentially dangerous health problems, such as heart No hand to mouth and put individuals at risk for heat disease or lung problems, should contact such as eat- related illness if the proper pre- minimize activities because the Does Your Child ing, smoking, drink- cautions heat will add ad- Need Required ing or nail biting in are not ditional stress. the animal areas. followed. School — Extra caution It is should be taken Immunizations? Wash your hands with important to check for the elderly soap and water after on elderly and young in- Saturday visiting animal areas. and indi- fants and chil- Immunization viduals dren to assure Always wash your with illnesses that decrease their that they are pro- Clinic — July 22 hands before eating. ability to respond to extreme heat tected from the heat. (those with heart and kidney dis- — Individuals on medications Call 513-695-1468 to If soap and water are ease, high blood pressure, recent should check with their doctor or schedule an stroke, diarrhea or mental illness). not available, use pharmacist to see if the medi- appointment for hand sanitizer. Infants and small children are also cines put them at increased risk at greater risk to experience heat- of heat related illness. required school

related illness. Use special caution if — Check on those who may need immunizations. People who work outdoors, you are pregnant, assistance. including construction workers Immunization appoint- elderly, have children and roofers, should be aware of — Wear lightweight, light- ments are also available under 5 or have an the dangerously high temperatures colored, loose, cotton clothing. Monday—Friday. underlying medical and should drink plenty of water — Eat light meals.

condition. even when not thirsty. — Adjust blinds, shades and In order to avoid the The following are some pre- awnings to keep the sun out. back to school rush, we Visit WCCHD’s cautions you can take to avoid heat stress or heat related illness: — Children and pets should not encourage families to booth at the fair for — Drink plenty of water, even if be left unattended in closed vehi- call now to schedule more health and not thirsty. cles. Temperatures quickly rise to their appointment for wellness dangerous levels. immunizations. Visit information! — Avoid alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase a person's — Use air conditioning, or spend www.wcchd.com for risk to heat related illnesses. time in a cool basement. Many additional information. facilities such as libraries, malls, — Decrease physical activity such Reporting Animal Bites mal capable of contracting and trans- of the quarantine period the victim is State law requires all animal bites mitting rabies. The animal can be notified of the animal's condition. If a from animals with the ability to trans- quarantined at its usual residence or at problem is found with the condition mit rabies to humans an animal boarding es- of the domestic animal involved in be reported to the lo- tablishment for the du- the bite or if a wild animal is in- cal health department ration of the quarantine. volved, the animal is humanely eu- for investigation. Following the quaran- thanized, the rabies specimen collect- Upon receipt of an tine period the animal's ed and the specimen is sent by courier animal bite report, condition is checked for to Columbus, Ohio, for rabies analy- our Environmental symptoms of rabies. sis. Health Staff issues a written quaran- The animal is subsequently re- For more information call or to tine notice to the owner of the dog, leased from quarantine, if properly report an animal bite call 513-695- cat, ferret, pig, or other domestic ani- vaccinated against rabies. At the end 1220 or visit www.wcchd.com . Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are insects that feed on clusters of 10 to 50 eggs. zippered cover to kill the bugs inside. human blood. They are often found If you identify bed bugs in your The cover should remain in place for near sleeping areas in the seams of home, you will probably require the more than one year, because bed bugs mattresses, box springs, cracks and help of a professional pest control can survive a long time without feed- crevices in bed frames, and usually specialist. But a professional can’t do ing. Infestations will usually require spread to gaps behind baseboards, it alone. the use of pesticides in conjunction pictures, wallpaper and electrical out- with the cleaning lets. To get rid of bed bugs: and vacuuming Bed bugs hitchhike into a home on  Remove clutter methods listed used furniture, clothing, suitcases or such as pictures, books above. Chemicals other items brought from infested are- and clothing from the are most safely as. infested area, so there applied by a li- are fewer places for the censed profession- When traveling, look for evidence bugs to hide. al. Professionals of bed bugs before unpacking. Check have access to the  Vacuum to remove pillowcases, sheets and mattresses for insecticides most some of the bed bugs; eggs are glued their feces, which look like dark spots effective against bed bugs and are in place and can’t be removed by vac- – as if someone had touched a magic trained in their proper application. uuming alone. They must be scraped marker to the fabric. Examine the Improper application of chemicals is off. When vacuuming, concentrate on room thoroughly, especially the wall, dangerous, and may even make the mattress seams and around any tufts baseboard and furniture near the bed. problem worse. For example, bug or buttons. Remove and discard the Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, bombs are not effective, and may vacuum bag immediately; place it in a wingless insects about the size of an scatter bed bugs to other rooms or sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in apple seed. neighboring apartments. Repellents an outdoor garbage can. When viewed from the side, they such as DEET do not work against are flat, which is why they can fit into  Infested items such as clothing, bed bugs. such narrow spaces. Newly hatched shoes, bedding and blankets can be For an informational pamphlet on bugs are white or yellowish, and re- placed in a clothes dryer on high heat bed bugs visit our website at semble the adults, but are smaller. Bed for 20 minutes to kill bed bugs and www.wcchd.com or call 513-695- bug eggs are white, about the size of a their eggs. Mattresses and box springs 1228. pinhead, and are found in crevices in may be enclosed in a bed bug-proof

The WCHD News and Information is a monthly publication that is available free of charge. Subscriptions are available by mail or email. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact Alicia Habermehl, 513-695-2475 or [email protected].