October is National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Safe Sleep Awareness Month

October is National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Safe Sleep Awareness Month

Sanford, NC- The Lee County  Health Department is helping to raise awareness of  National SIDS/Safe Sleep Month, which is in October. Each year in the United States, up to 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly. Most of these deaths are from SIDS and other sleep related causes. SIDS is one of the leading causes of death for infants one month to one year of age nationally and in North Carolina.

“While healthcare providers and researchers do not know the exact cause of SIDS, there are preventive methods we do know to encourage safe sleep” says Kim Ferguson, Infant Mortality Reduction Project Manager with the Lee County  Health Department. “The Health Department wants to highlight these methods to encourage the practice of safe sleeping habits for infants and to help reduce the risk of SIDS”.

The Infant Mortality Reduction Project provides training and resources to those agencies who work with expectant or new parents about how to reduce the risk of SIDS and death from unsafe sleep. Tobacco exposure during pregnancy and after birth increases an infant’s risk of death from SIDS. The NC Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch Quitline prioritizes pregnant and post-partum women with their services to help women quit and stay tobacco free.

Strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS and promote safe sleep include:

·         Always place babies on their backs to sleep for naps and at night.

·         Use a firm mattress in a safety approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.

·         Have baby share the room, but not your bed. Baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or a chair alone or with anyone else.

·         Keep soft objects, loose bedding, bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, and stuffed toys out of the crib.

·         Don’t let baby get too hot during sleep.

·         Prevent any exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth. Do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby- especially in the home or in a vehicle.

·         Breastfeed your baby.

For more information, see the NC Healthy Start Foundation website : http://www.nchealthystart.org

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) currently offers free help quitting tobacco use through 1-800-QUIT-NOW or http://www.quitlinenc.com/

State Health Officials Encourage  North Carolinians to Protect Themselves From Flu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 29, 2016 Contact:news@dhhs.nc.gov 919-855-4840 RALEIGH, N.C. – As flu season approaches, state health officials encourage North Carolina residents to protect themselves by being vaccinated against the flu. “Getting your flu shot now will protect you throughout the flu season, which typically runs from late fall to early spring,” said Division of Public Health Director Danny Staley. “The more vaccinations given early in the season, the more flu cases and the spread of flu will be prevented.” During the 2014 - 2015 season, North Carolina recorded its highest number of flu-associated deaths in six years. This is a reminder that flu can be a serious illness, especially for adults over 65, children under five, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.   “Talk to you doctor about what vaccine is most appropriate for you,” Staley said. “This year, injectable vaccines are recommended. The nasal spray vaccine has been found to be a less effective method of vaccination.” On June 22, 2016, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted that the live “nasal spray” vaccine should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season after recent studies determined it was less effective than injectable vaccines. In addition to vaccination, state health officials encourage everyone to use precautions to protect against the spread of flu and other viruses: Wash hands frequently, preferably with soap and water or an approved hand sanitizer Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly If you are sick with flu, stay home until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours Flu shots are available at hospitals, pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. North Carolina residents may use the Flu Finder tool at http://flu.nc.gov to help find flu clinics near them. Weekly updates on flu surveillance data will begin Oct. 13 at http://flu.nc.gov. ###

North Carolina Recognizes World Rabies Day September 28, 2016 Contact: news@dhhs.nc.gov 919-855-4840 RALEIGH, N.C. – Today is World Rabies Day and state health officials encourage North Carolinians to be aware of rabies and take preventive measures, including vaccination of their pets according to law. Rabies is a deadly viral disease of warm-blooded animals that attacks the central nervous system and inevitably leads to death. In North Carolina, raccoons and bats are the main carriers for rabies virus. Unvaccinated domestic animals, like dogs, cats, horses and livestock may also be infected. Any mammal infected with rabies poses a human health risk, and in the early stages of the disease it may not be apparent that an animal is infected with rabies. In 2015, there were 339 cases of animal rabies reported in North Carolina.  Of these 94 percent were wild animals. “Vaccinating your pets and keeping the vaccinations current is essential to preventing rabies,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Carl Williams, DVM.  “North Carolina rabies law requires all owned dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and remain vaccinated throughout their lifetime.” NC law requires counties to offer at least one low cost rabies vaccination clinic per year. Animal Control Agency listings can be found here: http://www.ncarca.com/AGENCY.htm. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health encourages the following precautions: Vaccinate pets against rabies. Supervise pets outdoors, and keep all pets on a leash. Do not feed pets outdoors. Pet food attracts wildlife. Do not feed wildlife, feral cats or feral dogs. Secure garbage cans with wildlife-proof lids. Leave young wildlife alone. If you find a juvenile animal that appears to need help, it is best to leave it alone and call a wildlife professional. If you are bitten or scratched by any animal that could possibly have rabies: Clean the wound well with soap and flush with running water for 15 minutes and contact your doctor. The doctor will determine if a series of rabies vaccinations will be needed. Note the location and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. Do not try to catch any wild animal that bites or scratches you. Call animal control immediately to capture the animal for rabies testing. If the animal is someone's pet, get the owner's name and address and provide them to the animal control officer. Any mammal can transmit rabies. The animal that bit you, depending on the species and circumstances, must be evaluated or tested for rabies. World Rabies Day is recognized each year on Sept. 28, and is a day of global public health observance and a time to raise awareness to improve rabies prevention and control efforts. For more information about rabies, including facts and figures on rabies, visit http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/rabies/figures.html. For recommendations regarding the public and interacting with wildlife, including feeding or rescuing wildlife, visit www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/WildlifeProblems/documents/Feeding-Wildlife-Hazards.pdf. ###

Agenda - 10-3-16 Commissioner's Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, October 3, 2016 for their first regular meeting of the month.  Click here to view Agenda for said meeting. 

North Carolina Falls Prevention Awareness Week - September 19-24, 2016

Friday of NC #FallsPrevention Awareness Wk focuses on vision checks. Clean yr glasses, get regular eye exams #nofalls #Fall4HlthNC

North Carolina Falls Prevention Awareness Week - September 19-24, 2016

Thurs of NC #FallsPrevention Awareness Wk focuses on strength+balance exercise - find classes near you http://bit.ly/2cGT3ko #Fall4HlthNC

Plan SanLee - Join the Conversation

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Lee County, the City of Sanford, and the Town of Broadway will hold a series of public meetings in September and October as part of the process for Updating the Future Land Use Plan. 

A Future Land Use Plan is intended to serve as both a physical and policy plan to guide each jurisdiction’s development over the next 10 to 20 years. The last plan was adopted in 1999 and many changes have occurred to the built environment since that time.  The updated plan will focus on helping citizens and elected officials make informed decisions concerning growth and development, establish meaningful and achievable goals, as well as strategies and policies for the implementation of the plan.

As part of the planning process, the jurisdictions are encouraging the public to provide initial guidance and feedback on a variety of topics that influence land use.  Public meetings have been scheduled to take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following days at the following locations.

·         September 27, 2016 – Broadway Community Center (111 N Main St.)

·         September 29, 2016 – Dennis Wicker Civic Center (1801 Nash St.)

·         October 4, 2016 – Deep River Elementary (4000 Deep River Rd.)

·         October 6, 2016 – Greenwood Elementary (1127 Greenwood Rd.)

This is a drop-in style format, so interested citizens may attend at any time during the meeting as the consultant and planning staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments regarding the update of the plan. No formal presentations will be made; however, attendees will have the opportunity to fill out simple survey questionnaires. 

Furthermore, there will be an opportunity to submit written comments and questions throughout the process using the Plan’s website http://plansanlee.com/.

For additional information, contact David Montgomery, Long Range Planner at 115 Chatham Street, Sanford, NC 27330, by phone at (919) 718-4657 Ext. 5392, or by email at david.montgomery@sanfordnc.net

North Carolina Falls Prevention Awareness Week - September 19-24, 2016

Weds of NC #FallsPrevention Awareness Wk focuses on avoiding medication interactions. Docs + pharmacists can review yr meds. #fallsfree

North Carolina Falls Prevention Awareness Week - September 19-24, 2016

Tues of NC #FallsPrevention Awareness Wk focuses on safe med disposal. Find #NC drop boxes & events http://bit.ly/2cXuL7O #FPAD16

Action Taken at 9-19-16 Commissioners Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners met on September 19th for their monthly meeting.  Click here to view Action Taken from said meeting.

Please note that beginning in October, the Board of Commissioners will resume their two meeting a month schedule. 

North Carolina Falls Prevention Awareness Week - September 19-24, 2016

Monday of NC #FallsPrevention Awareness Wk focuses on education. Learn more about falls prevention here http://bit.ly/1kL9bfn #Fall4HlthNC

Lee County Board of Health Meeting Agenda - Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 7:00 PM

Lee County Health Department to Distribute Zika Virus Prevention Kits

Lee County Health Department to Distribute Zika Virus Prevention Kits

With summer winding down and people spending more time outdoors, it is important for everyone to take precautions to protect against mosquito bites. Although the Zika Virus is not being locally transmitted in North Carolina, prevention efforts should start now.

The Lee County Health Department will have Zika Virus Prevention Kits available for county residents starting on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Residents may pick up the kits at the Lee County Health Department (106 Hillcrest Drive, 2^nd Floor), Lee County Environmental Health (115 Chatham Street), and the Lee County Animal Shelter (1450 North Horner Boulevard). The kits will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis and will contain one Mosquito Dunk.  Kits will also have educational information regarding the proper use of the Mosquito Dunk, along with methods to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.  A Mosquito Dunk is a donut-shaped disc that is inserted into a standing water source, where it floats on the surface and slowly releases a special bacterium, which mosquito larvae eat. This bacterium kills mosquito larvae of all known mosquito species, but is non-toxic to humans, animals, birds, frogs, fish, birds and other animals.

For more information, please contact the Lee County Health Department at (919) 718-4640.

Agenda - 9-19-16 Commissioners Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet on September 19th for their regular monthly meeting. Click here to view Agenda for said meeting. 

Lee County Women, Infants, and Children Program Taking Applications

Article courtesy of The Sanford Herald