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