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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-28 Board of Health Supplemental Materials (7)MONTHLY REPORT from the Public Health Director June 2018 MEETINGS: • Region 3 HMCC Board of Governor's Meeting • Region 3 HMCC Quarterly Meeting • Region 3B Coalition Meeting • MHOA Quarterly Meeting • TRC - 1725 Turnpike Street Al Prime • Food permitting and plan review guide meeting • Meeting with owners of 1429 Osgood Street • Meeting with market Basket manager regarding compactor noise complaints • Meeting with market Kohls manager regarding compactor noise complaints • Meeting with town Counsel regarding some abandoned properties TRAININGS: • Social Media IT training HMCC Communications Training • MHOA Opioid Epidemic Toolkit Training • ServSafe Training and exam INSPECTIONS: o Housing Inspections: 3 • Trash Complaints: 2 • Pool: 3 • Housing: 3 • Body Art: 1 • Camps: 2 • Noise: 1 • Bathing Beach: 1 REVIEWS: • Building Permit Applications and Occupancy Permits: 72 o Reviewed 28 Food Inspection Reports • Title 5 reports: 12 Administration: • ServSafe Class • Drafted Body Art Addendum • Tick Advisory o Running Program ended. Very Successfulffil • Budget • Ordered Marijuana Brochures • General Customer Service • General Animal Control Correspondence: • Septic Approvals, Denials • Garbage disposal removals • Letter to Legislature regarding Tobacco Control Program funding MISC: • Correspondence with Chairman • Body Art research • Running Program • Library Lecture materials Monthly Report — June— Michele Septic Inspections: SEPTIC, Bottom of the Bed, Final Grades, Tank inspection and re -inspections As -Built — 5 COC's — 5 Tank -9 B & B — 7 D -Box — 15 Soils - 3 Royal Crest Meetings and Inspection Inspections — 2 COC — 1 HOUSING Inspections — 6 Loc's - 2 COMPLAINTS 27 Meetings —19 TRASH TRUCK PERMITTING Many Trash Truck Companies are still have not permitted — Including, North Side Carting, TB! FOOD Food Appl. 7 July 4th Application - 5 Ice Cream - 2 Meetings — 11 Complaint based inspections 6 Plan Reviews — 6 Food Complaints - 2 POOLS — 18 inspections Trainings - 4 RN MONTHLY REPORT– June 2018 Camps: -Current Camps: Big Sprouts (@ Little Sprouts)—Brooks Day Camp—Brooks Computer Catnp—Ready Set Row (residential @ Brooks)—Vogelsinger. Jr. Soccer Day Camp (@Brooks)—Vogelsinger Soccer Academy & School (residential @Brooks)—Drobots (residential @ Brooks)—Dynamic Skating (residential @ Merrimack). -Review of all camp paperwork (policies, procedures, health care plans and agreements, contingency plans, transportation plans, staff requirements and orientation plans etc.) to check if in accordance with 105 CMR 430.000 -Numerous calls/emails to various camps (missing documents, adding language or steps to policies, training requirements, clarifying camp policies/procedures etc.) -Onsite camp inspections Immunizations: -Securing flu order for fall. -Correspondence with HS athletic director to secure October flu clinic date. -Clinics/Outreach: -BP Clinic @ Snr Center every 21d and 41h Wednesday of the month and rotation continues at Senior Housing -Office walk in's— blood pressure, oximetry, glucose checks, B12 injection. -Home visit Meetinga/Trainings: -Coalition -Sanofi Representative -American Red Cross Representative Communicable Disease/MAVEN: -Research, calls, follow-up: primarily vector borne illnesses (anaplasmosis) -Vibrio Webinar on how to conduct case investigation Misc: -Opioids: Reaching out to Dr. Ruth Potee to come to NAHS and present: The Adolescent Brain & the Physiology of Addiction. She is completely booked through the fall. Available dates in January and February. Facility request form submitted through the HS. Awaiting to hear back from HS to confirm event date. -Sunday evenings assisting with Youth Running/Ilealth series. Ilealth brochures for distribution to running families. -Ticks: Brian had an article he had written a few years back, "For the Health of It: Lyme Disease". I used his original article as a base and expanded it with new research, pictures, and other important information. Once approved it will be posted on our webpage. (see attached) -Library presentation was at the end of May on Ticks by NA Pediatricians. -Cholesterol Machine -Proficiency testing/ordering of supplies. - Blood Drive: this coming Saturday June 30that the Senior Center. Critical Need. On foot poster distribution throughout some of town. Posting and reposting different flyers throughn towns social media. Reaching out to NAPD, NAFD for them to post on their social media. Electronic signage on 125. MRC volunteers to come and assist with drive. (see attached) For the Health of It: Lyme Disease It's that time of year again where the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and we are all spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, playing sports, gardening, and even yardwork are not only good for your heart, health, and soul, but are also highly encouraged by your local public health professionals. With that also comes the opportunity to educate you on ticks and Lyme disease. Discussed below are some questions you may have and information you should know. What are ticks? Ticks are small bugs that feed on the blood of people and animals. Ticks live in places where there is a lot of tall grass, shrubs, and leaves. Exposure risk is greatest in the woods and the edge area between lawns and woods, however, ticks can also be carried onto lawns, gardens and into the house by other animals or pets. Ticks are more active in the spring, summer, and fall, but are also out in the winter if temperatures are above freezing. Ticks move around by crawling. They do not jump or fly. They typically will crawl onto the lower parts of the body of a person or animal as they brush against them. They will then climb to find an acceptable place on the body to attach and feed. Ticks attach by inserting their mouth parts (not their whole bodies) into the skin of the animal or person. Once attached they begin to "feed" and their bodies slowly enlarge. Feedings are slow and one feeding can take several days. It is through this feeding that an infected tick can transmit diseases. Two kinds of ticks are found in Massachusetts that can carry diseases - the black legged "deer" tick and the dog tick. Both ticks bite people, but each can carry different diseases. Dog ticks can spread Rocky Mountain Fever and Tularemia. Blacklegged "deer" ticks can spread Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Lyme disease, which derived its name after an unusual outbreak of arthritis in Lyme CT in 1975, is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis) adult adult emale male nymph What is Lyme disease and how it is spread? Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged deer tick. In general, Lyme disease transmission increases significantly after a tick has been attached for more than 24-36hrs. Risk of disease transmission increases the longer a tick is attached. Both adult and immature (nymph) ticks can transmit Lyrne disease. Most humans are infected through the bites of nymph ticks. The reason for this is their size. Nymph ticks are much smaller measuring less than 2mm in size, no bigger than a pinhead, and much harder to find. The larger adult ticks are more likely to be discovered and removed before they are able to transmit disease. ' 1.1.„c1„y11111"—"""1"1111110,111014,11„iiii111111111 111111111111111111111111111 What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? Untreated Lyme disease can produce a broad range of symptoms. Depending on the stage of infection there are early and late stage symptoms. Keep in mind that every person is different and may present differently with symptoms. Typical early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans ("bull's-eye"). This rash is flat, rarely itchy or painful. It may be warm to the touch and it can appear anywhere on the body, not necessarily where the tick was attached. This rash occurs in 70-80% of infected persons. Later signs and symptoms of untreated Lyrne disease most commonly involve problems in the joints, nervous system and heart. More than half of the people with untreated Lyme disease develop arthritis in their knees, elbows, and/or wrists. Intermittent pain in the tendons, muscles, joints and bones can occur and shift between mild and severe. People can also experience severe headaches, neck stiffness, inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, facial palsy and other neurological problems. Heart palpitations, episodes of dizziness and shortness of breath may also occur in the later stages of Lyme disease. Additional "bulls -eye" rashes may continue to appear on other areas of the body. ;,0,1111 Is there treatment for Lyme disease? Yes, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully. Specific antibiotics can be used to treat those individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease. Diagnosis and treatment in the early stage of the disease can help decrease the likelihood of developing more serious complications later on. How can I protect my family, my pets and myself from Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses? The hest way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites by following these steps: Avoid tick -infested areas: If you are in tick -infested areas be sure to walk in the center of the trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter. Clothing: Wear light colored clothing. Ticks are dark and easier to spot when against light colors. Weather permitting, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when at all possible. Tucking your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants will make it easier to spot ticks on your clothing and that much harder for ticks to reach your skin where they can attach. Use insect repellant: Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -registered insect repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para - menthane -diol, or 2-undecanone. These products can be used on clothing and skin. o There are also products containing Permethrin which are effective at killing ticks on contact but should be used on clothing only. o A few words on DEET: There are over 200 products containing DEET with concentrations that range from 5%-100%. When using a DEET product for children 2 months of age and older the DEET concentration should between 10-30%. o DO NOT use DEET on infants under 2 months of age. o When using repellents and sunscreen it is best to apply sunscreen first and then apply the repellent. o The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates skin -applied repellents and evaluates them for safety. You can find the EPA registration number (EPA Reg.) on the back of the repellent label or you can visit www.epa.gov/insect-repellents for a complete list of EPA approved products (including product concentrations, length of effective use, insects targeted, and more). o With anv product ALWAYS read the product label and follow the product Instructions before use. Perform daily tick checks: Always check for ticks after being outdoors. Whether you are playing outside, doing sports, gardening, hiking, or just walking the dog it is important to get in the habit of checking you and your loved ones for ticks whenever you have been outside. Early removal can reduce the risk of infection. Ticks tend to like dark, moist areas of the body. Inspect all areas of the body carefully not forgetting between the toes, behind the knees, groin and privates, bellybutton, armpits, neck, behind and around the ears, and along the hairline. Also be sure to check your gear and clothing. If you do find a tick, remove it promptly by .following the steps in the next question. 'here to check for ovel 1111111111111111,,,,,,,,,,,,1111 Bathe or shower: Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within 2 hours) to wash off and more easily to find ticks that are crawling on you. Tumble dry clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be attached to clothing. If clothes are damp they need more time in the dryer. For pets: Check your pets for ticks as they can carry ticks into your home from outside. Pets can also get sick by contracting tick borne diseases from infected ticks. There are numerous products available to protect your pets from tick-borne diseases. Depending on the type of animal these products range from collars and repellents to vaccines. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian about the best protection for your pet(s). What should I do if I find a tick on myself or a loved one? ▪ Remain calm. The tick should be removed carefully and as soon as possible. Use clean, fine tipped tweezers. )o not twist, squeeze, or crush the tick. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products. With the tweezers grasp the tick as close to your skin's surface and pull straight up and out away from the skin. • Do not be alarmed if you are unable to remove all of the ticks mouthparts with the tweezers. They will be expelled on their own. Let the skin heal. Further attempts to remove these parts may result in significant skin trauma. Cleanse the site with soap and water. Dispose of the tick by putting it in a labeled cup with rubbing alcohol, flushing it down the toilet, placing it in a sealed bag/container, or wrapping it tightly in tape. It may be helpful to mark the calendar date that you removed the tick in case you were to develop a rash or other signs of illness. How long long does an infected deer tick need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease? Ticks are slow feeders and are only attached to their host by the mouth. This makes the disease transmission process take a few days. The bacteria that causes Lyme disease resides in the tick's stomach. Once a tick attaches and starts feeding this bacteria needs to travel from the ticks stomach, into the tick's bloodstream, into the tick's salivary glands, and then finally into its host. This is why the longer an infected tick remains attached to a person or animal the higher the likelihood of disease transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. What if I am pregnant and find a tick attached? Prevention and early diagnosis of Lyme disease are important during pregnancy. Rarely, Lyme disease acquired during pregnancy can lead to infection of the placenta and other pregnancy related complications if not treated. Studies done on women infected with Lyme disease during pregnancy have found no negative effects on the fetus when the mother has received the appropriate antibiotic treatment for her Lyme disease. I just removed a tick from my body. Should I have the tick tested to see if it carries a disease? There are commercial groups that charge for tick testing. However, this is generally not recommended by the CDC. The reasons for this are as follows: A positive result showing that a tick contains a disease -causing organism does not necessarily mean that the disease was transmitted to you depending on how long the tick was attached. • A negative result can give you false assurance. For instance, you could have been bitten unknowingly by a different tick that was infected. Also depending on the laboratory and the service requested, the tick may not tested for all the diseases it can carry and possibly transmit. If you have been infected by a tick bite, signs and symptoms may occur before the results of the tick test are available. If you do decide to have the tick tested please note the following: Positive tick results should be discussed with your health care provider who can work with you on the best course of action based on the bite, your likelihood of exposure, presence of any signs or symptoms, and any other pertaining factors. • Negative tick results should not deter you from continuing to monitor yourself from signs and symptoms that are associated with tick-borne illnesses. • If you do become ill, you should not postpone seeking medical advice or appropriate treatment while waiting for testing results. I just removed a tick from my body and not sure how long it was attached. Should I be treated with post -exposure antibiotics? The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) does not generally recommend giving antibiotics for prevention of Lyme disease after a tick bite. However, in certain cases and under certain circumstances antimicrobial prophylactic treatment may be beneficial. It will be the determination of your health care provider to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using antibiotics on a case -to -case basis. How can I reduce the number of ticks around my home? Here are some ways of making your yarcl "less attractive" to ticks: Landscaping: Ticks need higher humidity levels (think wooded areas: moist, cool, shaded) to survive. They die quickly in drier environments. The following "Tick -Safe Landscaping" techniques can help reduce the number of ticks around your home. • Mow the lawn frequently to keep your grass short and clear tall grass from around your house. • Remove leaf litter and brush from around the house and at the edges of the lawn. • Stack wood neatly and in a dry area. • In the areas where the woods meet your lawn, patio, or play equipment place a 3 -ft barrier of wood chips or gravel. This will create a "dry barrier" that impedes ticks from crossing over into recreational areas. It also can be a good visual reminder that once you cross over the harrier you are at increased risk of tick exposure. ,1111111111j) f))))11,1111 111 1iii11111111 41111111ooloo 0 0 0 0 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 H1111111 1,11l111IN Tick zona Wood chip ba tiler Wood pile Tick migration zona 111 ,,1111d10'1 11((((((i ' .1:1111111111111111111C t'111111i)),1,1,1,1,011 — -1;1 '1 '111 .111„,x4)illiii111141,11.11° Avoid areas with forest and brush where deer, rodents, and ticks are common. Use a 3 ft. barrier of wood chips or rock to separate thetick zone and rock walls from the lawn. Keep wood piles on the wood chip barrier, away from the home. Maintain a 9 ft. barrier of lawn between the wood chips and areas such as patios, gardens, and play sets. Tick safe EnJoy daily living activities such as gardening and zone outdoor play inside this perimeter. 101 Gardens Plant deer resistant crops. If desired, an a-ft.fence can keep deer out of the yard. Play sets Keep play sets In the"tIck safe zone in sunny areas where ticks have difficulty surviving. leased nn a diagram by A Stafford, (:0111")ecoo Agrictilri /I at Expen enr ! Chemicals: Pesticide application can reduce the number or ticks in treated areas of your yard. Pesticide application to residential properties and should be supervised by a licensed professional pest control expert. Do not rely on spraying to reduce your risk of infection. Be sure to check with local health officials for rules and regulations related to pesticide application on residential properties in your town. Discourage deer: Abundant tick populations go hand in hand with abundant deer populations. Removing plants that attract deer and constructing fences or other barriers may help discourage tick -infested deer from coming near homes. You can find a list of deer - resistant plantings from local garden centers or nurseries. We hope this article serves as a useful resource for you and your loved ones in the protection from ticks and prevention of Lyme disease. We feel the more people understand about ticks and the ways to protect themselves, the less anxiety there will be about getting outside and being active during these warmer days. Helpful webpages for more information are The Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at www.mass.gov/dph, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov, and/or your local health department web page. You can always call your local health department with any questions, however, keep in mind any medically related concerns should be directed to your primary care physician or pediatrician for further guidance. The North Andover Health Department American Rod Cross AMERICAN RED CROS BLOOD DRIVE DID YOU KNOW. Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. 1 out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital need blood. The most common need for blood are accident victims, premature babies, cancer treatments, open heart surgery, transplants of the heart, liver, kidney, and bone marrow, Sickle Cell Disease, and Leukemia. • An average adult body contains 10-12 units of blood. One blood donation equals one unit of blood, which is a little less than a pint. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. One donation can help save or sustain up to 3 lives. • The share of the U.S. population eligible to donate: 38 % Percent of eligible who actually donate: 5 % Be the difference. Donate Blood. Save Lives. Saturday June 30th 9-2 North Andover Senior Center Call 1 -800 -RED -CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.