HEALTH NEWS

National Egg Recall

UPDATE from Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH):

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and local health departments, is working to ensure eggs that are part of the nationwide recall are not being sold in Maryland. Consumers should check the codes on cartons of eggs in the shell to verify they are not from plants involved in the nationwide recall of shell eggs implicated in outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis.

None of the plants in the recall are registered to pack eggs for sale in Maryland and to date, MDA inspectors have not found eggs from the affected plants in Maryland.

All producers who are packaging eggs for sale in Maryland must register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture annually and label eggs sold in Maryland with their plant number. None of the plants that are part of the recall are registered to pack eggs for sale in Maryland. To ensure that eggs from these non-registered plants have not inadvertently been shipped to Maryland, MDA has stepped up inspection activities. To date, MDA inspectors have not found eggs from the affected plants in Maryland.

Consumers who have questions about whether the eggs they are purchasing are involved in the recall may call the MDA Food Quality Assurance Program at 410-841-5769.

For additional information about Maryland’s Egg Inspection and Egg Quality Assurance Programs, visit the MDA food permit page

The Food & Drug Administration announced a recall of shell eggs after an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) that has sickened hundreds of people across the country.

Current information:

• The current recall of eggs in their shells, or “shell eggs,” is part of an ongoing and intensive investigation by local, state, and federal officials into the cause of recent cases of Salmonella Enteritidis.

• This recall affects shell eggs produced by Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa. The eggs are packaged under different brand names and distributed nationwide.

• The shell eggs may contain Salmonella and may cause serious illness.

• Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

• Consumers should throw away the product or return the product to the store

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed Wright County Egg in Iowa as the common shell egg supplier in the recalled shell eggs.

The affected eggs are packaged under the brand names: Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps and Pacific Coast. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons. They were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Iowa. (For information about the brands, descriptions and exact lot numbers click here.)

Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The FDA recommends NOT eating recalled eggs. Consumers who have recalled eggs should discard them or return them to their retailer for a refund. Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating recalled eggs should consult their health care providers. If consumers are unsure about the source of their eggs, they are urged not to eat them and to discard them immediately.

For more information visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov.

Increase in Illness-causing Vibrio Bacteria in Brackish Waters during Hot Weather

Special Precautions Encouraged When Eating Raw Shellfish, Working or Swimming in the Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene(DHMH)and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) are reminding consumers of the potential risk of eating uncooked oysters, clams, mussels and other shellfish during the warmer months of the year. The yearly increase in Vibrio bacteria as the water temperature warms, is found naturally in coastal waters such as the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The bacteria can pose a threat of infection to persons with open cuts, scrapes, burns or sores who are exposed to coastal waters.

“We’ve seen recent infections associated with swimming or working in brackish bay waters and Maryland’s water temperatures have been higher than normal this summer,” says Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services. “While we want everyone to enjoy fresh Maryland seafood this summer, we also want people to be aware of how to protect themselves from illness and infection.”

Shellfish, are mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels. The term shellfish does not include crabs, lobsters, or shrimp.

Illness from Vibrio bacteria can include wound infection, if you have been in water containing high levels of bacteria. Illness from ingesting Vibrio bacteria can include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, severe weakness, skin rashes, blisters, shaking chills and high fever. If you have any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish, see your health care provider for medical treatment.

Serious complications are more likely to occur in high risk individuals with the following conditions:

• Liver disease (from hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism)

• Diabetes

• Cancer (including lymphomas, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease)

• People taking certain medications, such as stomach acid reducers

• Iron overload disease (hemochromatosis)

• Any illness or medical treatment that weakens the body's immune system

“It is recommended that high risk people avoid consumption of raw shellfish,” said Dr. David Blythe, DHMH State Epidemiologist. “All Marylanders should be aware that Vibrio bacteria can potentially cause illness in people who eat raw or undercooked oysters or clams,regardless of age or health history.”

Cooking Shellfish

Shellfish should be cooked thoroughly to avoid health risks from Vibrio bacteria. Vibrio bacteria do not change the appearance, taste, or odor of oysters or clams. Only thoroughly cooking the oysters or clams will destroy the bacteria and eliminate the risk of infection:

• Live oysters or clams should be boiled three to five minutes after their shells open.

• Using a small pot to boil or steam oysters is recommended for thorough cooking.

• Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.

• Shucked oysters or clams should be boiled or simmered at least three minutes or until the edges curl.

• They may also be fried in oil for three minutes at 375 degrees, broiled three inches from the heat for three minutes or baked in a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Eating raw oysters or clams with hot sauce or while drinking alcohol does not destroy the bacteria. Anyone who works or swims in or catches any seafood from brackish bay waters or streams and rivers should thoroughly wash hands before cooking or eating.

Avoiding Infection

The only way to prevent infection is to avoid contact with the water. When water contact through swimming, working, or fishing cannot be avoided:

• Cover wounds with water proof bandages

• Carry hand sanitizer so that wounds that occur during water contact can be cleansed immediately

• Wash hands before handling food or eating

• Always shower following contact with natural waters

• Wear water shoes while wading to avoid cutting your feet

If anyone in contact with brackish bay waters or tributaries experiences signs of skin infection, such as redness or swelling, they should promptly see a doctor or health care provider.

Maryland Department of the Environment Science Services Director Rich Eskin said: “Vibrio are naturally occurring in the Chesapeake Bay and are not necessarily related to specific pollution sources. The primary environmental factors controlling vibrio frequency are temperature and salinity, and recent research has suggested that nutrients may play a role in vibrio concentration.”

For more information about Vibrio and seafood safety information, click here.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Seen in Epidemic Proportions in California.

Whooping cough was declared an epidemic in California last week. What may look like just a cold or a persistent cough in adults, can be fatal to infants. It is essential for parents, grandparents and caregivers of very young children to get vaccinated.

CNN reported that since June 15, 2010 there have been 910 cases of pertussis (Whooping Cough) in California and five infants have died of the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mothers were most often the source of infection for infants, followed by caregivers, fathers and siblings. Parents must get the vaccination to protect their babies. Babies should stay on the immunization schedule recommended by their pediatrician.

NBC's Today Show addressed the epidemic with their Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman. Click here to view the video.

To see the immunizations your child needs, click here for a list of vaccines provided by the Health Department

For more information about how to prevent Pertussis (Whooping Cough) visit:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

PKids Online

First Lady's "Let's Move" Initiative Creates Contest for Best Healthy App for Kids

In March, First Lady Michelle Obama challenged the talented and kid-savvy innovators across the country to build games and tools that inspire and empower kids and their parents to get active and eat healthy. Over the past four months, hundreds of students, developers, and entrepreneurs have dreamed up new ideas, teamed up with their peers in game jams across the country, and toiled to build something really special—something that will change childhood obesity.

Now, the public can weigh in on their favorites! Test the tools. Take a video game or two out for a test drive. See which ones get you hooked and get you moving. All 95 of the final entries are online.

Make sure to vote for your favorite. Voting is open until noon on August 14th. Your top picks will take home the $4,500 Popular Choice award and be honored at a White House event in September.

Click here to cast your vote for best app!

New Partnership Promotes Concussion Prevention and Recovery for Student Athletes

From Left to Right- Back Row- Al Harden (Howard Co. Rec and Parks), Mike Williams (Coordinator of Athletics-HCPSS), Dr. Gerard Gioia (Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology Children’s Medical Center), Mary Schiller (HCPSS), Dr. Sydney Cousin (Superintendent-HCPSS), Dr. Maura Rossman (Medical Director-HCHD), Mike Milani (Rec and Parks, Front Row- Ellen Flynn Giles (Chairman, Howard Co. Board of Education), John Byrd- (Acting Director, Howard Co. Rec & Parks)

Howard County Public School System, Howard County Health Department, Howard County Recreation & Parks and Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. have partnered to educate coaches, parents and student athletes about concussion awareness in both school and recreational sports.

A Sports Concussion Education and Testing Program will focus on two themes: “When in Doubt, Sit Them Out” and “Return to Play Needs Doc’s Written OK.” The partners will work to educate players, coaches, parents and others about the seriousness of concussions and resources available for recovery.

Children’s Hospital will provide their expertise and resources to support the program and will raise awareness among local pediatricians and health professionals about concussion prevention, identification and management.

The Health Department will include concussion education as part of its “Healthy Recreation” initiative.

The HCPSS will require participation in the new Sports Concussion Education and Testing Program for school athletes in many sports beginning with the 2010-11 school year.

For more detailed information visit the Howard County Public School System's website at www.hcpss.org.

More Information About The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act gives American families and businesses more control over their health care by providing greater benefits and protections for family members and employees. It also provides the stability, and also the flexibility, that families and businesses need to make the choices that work best for them.

Visit HealthReform.gov for a fact sheet with information about keeping your current health plan.

Also make sure to visit the Question & Answer page of HealthReform.gov for commonly asked questions about keeping your current health coverage choices

Click to read about the Howard County Health Department in the news!

Notice of Privacy Practices

The Howard County Health Department is committed to protecting the health information of all clients. In accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the following Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to all individuals that receive services from the Department.

Click here to view Privacy Practices (File is in RTF format, which can be opened in Microsoft Wordpad and most popular word processing packages.)