There is no FDA-approved vaccine available for Ebola.
If you travel to, or are in an area affected by an Ebola outbreak, make sure to do the following:
Healthcare workers who may be exposed to people with Ebola should follow these steps:
For additional information please visit the CDC website
You can learn more about Ebola Medical Waste Management here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2014
In response to increasing numbers of respiratory illness (Enterovirus D68), the Andrew County Health Department wants you to know the facts so you can protect your family.
Enterovirus is a common virus. With more than 100 types of enteroviruses, an estimated 10 to 15 million infections occur in the United States each year. Most people who are infected with enteroviruses have no or mild symptoms. However some enteroviruses, like Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), can be very serious.
Symptoms of the Enterovirus D68 are similar to the common cold. Severe symptoms are possible with EV-D68, such as difficulty breathing. Children with cold like symptoms that experience difficulty breathing should consult their family physician.
Enterovirus D68 appears to be spreading by close contact with infected people. There is no vaccine or antiviral medication to treat EV-D68.
The Andrew County Health Department provides the following recommendations to prevent the spread of EV-D68 and to also protect yourself and your family:
Your Local Public Health Department continues to monitor the situation and share information with local health providers. While there are reports of increased cases across several Midwest states, there is not a surveillance system that can account for exact numbers of infections.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Senior Epidemiology Specialist C. Jon Hinkle says, “Using good hand hygiene, practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette and staying home if you are sick are the most effective tools to fight EV-D68.”
For more information on EV-D68 visit http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html or contact the Andrew County Health Department at 816-324-3139.
Contact: Andrew Hoffman, Administrator or Paige Lance, RN
Contact Number: 816-324-3139
Deadline to apply is Oct. 31, 2014
(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced today that the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is now accepting applications for farm to school value-added grants. These grants will assist Missouri businesses in accessing and processing locally grown agricultural products for use in Missouri schools.
The new program was authorized by Senate Bill 672 and Senate Bill 701, which were signed by Governor Nixon on July 8 and 9, and provides businesses the opportunity to place locally grown agricultural products in Missouri school meals and snacks, while at the same time strengthening local farming economies.
“As evidenced by Missouri being in the top 10 states in the number of farmers markets, producers in Missouri grow some of the best food around,” Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce said. “We’re thrilled that we can offer this program to incentivize Missouri businesses, which will in turn increase the amount of nutritious and delicious Missouri-made food served to students and benefit Missouri farmers.”
Eligible applicants must be a small business that purchases or processes locally grown agricultural products from a small farmer, and whose primary market is schools in Missouri. Small businesses that are producers of agricultural products themselves are eligible too. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be scored based on their economic development potential, credibility and merit, as well as the source and level of matching funds.
The maximum individual grant is $200,000. Applicants are required to provide a 10% cash match toward the resource being funded. Eligible resources may include, but are not limited to, items such as coolers, freezers, washing, bagging, sorting and/or packing equipment and professional services for the development of Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices (GAP/GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Analysis (HACCP) plans. The program does not provide funds for agricultural production practices or equipment, paying off debt, applicant salaries or wages (or that of employees), motor vehicles or operating expenses.
Applications must be submitted to MASBDA by 5 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 31, 2014. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For more information on the program and complete guidelines, visitagriculture.mo.gov or contact MASBDA at masbda@mda.mo.gov or (573) 751-2129.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has put together a selection of answers to the questions people might ask about the recently discovered phlebovirus, which has been named the Heartland virus.
Heartland virus belongs to a group of viruses called phleboviruses. Viruses in the phlebovirus family are found all over the world. Sometimes these viruses can cause people to get sick. Most of the phleboviruses that cause human illness are passed to people through a bite from a mosquito, tick, or sand fly.
In 2009, two people admitted to a Missouri hospital were later found to be infected with this virus. Both people had illness with fevers, and both recovered. Scientists who study the new virus have named it the “Heartland virus”.
In 2012, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began working together to learn more about the virus. Several hospitals in Missouri have agreed to try to find other people with the same illness. CDC also has another study for people seen by doctors in other states. These studies may help find out how people get infected with Heartland virus and how to prevent other people from getting it. Also, by studying how the virus effects people, laboratories and doctors will learn more about how to diagnose Heartland virus illness.
In 2013, five Missouri patients were diagnosed with Heartland virus. All five had a flu-like illness in May-September. They all had a fever, lost their appetite, and were very tired. Some also complained of headaches, muscle and joint aches, diarrhea, or feeling sick to their stomach. All five cases had low numbers of white blood cells that fight infection as well as another kind of cell that helps blood clot. Four of the five patients required hospitalization for their illness. Most of the five patients fully recovered.
Missouri’s most common tick, the Lone Star tick, has been found infected with Heartland virus. Scientific investigations are underway to find out if a bite from an infected tick is how people get Heartland virus illness.
Like Missouri’s most serious tick-borne illness, ehrlichiosis, the Lone Star tick might become infected with Heartland virus by taking a blood meal from an infected animal. Later, the tick can transmit the virus to humans when taking another blood meal.
If you feel unwell you should see your doctor. Your doctor can help figure out what might be the problem. If you had a recent tick or mosquito bite, they may take blood to test for illnesses like tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and West Nile virus. If your doctor is concerned that you may have the new virus, they can contact the DHSS.
There is no specific treatment for this virus but a doctor may be able to lessen some symptoms with medicine. You can discuss any concerns you have about your illness with your provider. There is no vaccine against Heartland virus.
Since this virus is new to medical science, there are no tests to tell if a person is infected. Researchers are working on tests that will help a doctor diagnose an infection. Developing new tests is one of the goals of the research study.
It is not yet known if this virus can make pets sick. If your pet is ill, you should take it to a licensed veterinarian. Ticks may carry this virus, so talk with your veterinarian about using tick preventives on your pet.
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