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From the Iowa Department of Public Health
A notice from Johnson County, Iowa
The Iowa State Fair - You Gotta Love It!!
Here are a few tips to make your trip to the State Fair safe and enjoyable:
- Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic fluids and wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
- Wash your hands before eating, drinking, handling bottles and pacifiers, and after petting animals or touching animal enclosures.
- Wear sunscreen and insect repellant.
- Remember, the elderly, young children, and those with certain medical conditions are most susceptible to heat problems and illness.
Remain Vigilant in Protecting Yourself Against Mosquitoes and Ticks
Mosquitoes
Earlier this month, the first human case of West Nile virus disease in Iowa was confirmed, and several more potential human cases are being investigated at this time. Recently a mosquito pool in Scott County tested positive for West Nile virus.
As a result, Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) strongly recommends:
- Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check label for correct use.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes if possible.
- Eliminate standing water around the home because that's where mosquitoes breed. At least twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans or any thing else that can hold water sufficient for mosquitoes to breed.
- Avoid being outdoors during peak hours of mosquito activity--dusk and dawn.
For more information
West Nile virus
Ticks
The Iowa tick surveillance program, conducted by Iowa State University Medical Entomology Laboratory and the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, has recently processed a large number of ticks and many of them tested positive for the organism that causes Lyme disease.
IDPH reminds Iowans to take the following prevention measures:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck pants into socks.
- Wear light-colored clothing so it's easier to see ticks.
- Use repellant especially made for ticks (one containing DEET).
- Regularly check yourself and your family for ticks, especially around the head and neck. Also check pets that have been outside.
For more information
Tick Surveillance Program
From Johnson County Public Health
Small Cluster of Hepatitis A Cases in Johnson County
There is currently a small cluster of hepatitis A in Johnson County. Hepatitis A in children and infants is frequently asymptomatic. Onset of the illness in adults is usually abrupt with fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea and abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea followed in a few days by jaundice and dark color urine.
Serologic testing for acute hepatitis A tests for IgM antibodies. As a health care provider, if you suspect hepatitis A, please draw a blood specimen and call Johnson County, 356-6040, ext. 115 or 122 to pick up the blood test for delivery to University Hygienic Laboratory for immediate testing.
It is important to promptly report hepatitis A cases so public health officials can initiate follow-up to assure that contacts receive post-exposure treatment within 14 days of their last exposure. The sooner immune globulin or Hepatitis A vaccine is given, the lower the risk of getting the disease and lessens the seriousness of the disease.
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