Health News

The presence of West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes in Morris County and New Jersey during this time of year is not uncommon. Active monitoring is performed by the Morris County Mosquito Control Division. Spraying of affected areas to control the mosquito is scheduled throughout the county and can be found at https://morriscountynj.gov/mosquito.

A bite from an infected mosquito can result in West Nile Virus, an infection that can cause serious illness. While many do not become sick, persons who are 50 and older are at higher risk for serious illness. Symptoms include flu-like illness, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands.

Many types of mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant (still) water. Areas where mosquito breeding can occur include birdbaths, containers, flowerpot drain pans, discarded tires, clogged gutters/downspouts and decorative ponds. Residents are advised to check their properties and remove/drain standing water.

To reduce risk of West Nile Virus, preventing mosquito bites is important. Residents are advised to take the following steps:

• Install or repair window screens
• Use insect repellent when outdoors. DEET is the “gold-standard” fro mosquito repellents.
• Wear light-colored clothes with long sleeves and long pants. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark-colored clothers.
• Limit time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (during dusk and dawn).
• Use mosquito netting on infant carriers and strollers while outdoors.

For more information visit: West Nile Virus

Swimming is one of the most popular sports activities in the United States. Just 2.5 hours of physical activity per week, including water-based activity, has health benefits, no matter our age. As with any form of physical activity, we maximize the benefits of swimming when we do our part to minimize the chance of illness and injury.

Tips for Healthy Swimming

Practicing healthy swimming is important to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy. Whether in the pool, the hot tub/spa, or water playground we can all help protect ourselves and our loved ones from germs by following these simple but effective steps:

• Don’t swim or let children swim when sick with diarrhea.
• Don’t swallow the water.
• Take kids on bathroom breaks every hour.
• Check diapers, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area—not poolside—to keep germs away from the pool.
• Shower before you get in the water. Rinsing off in the shower for just 1 minute helps get rid of any germs that might be on your body.

Prevent Injury

Staying safe in and around the water is important, too. Don’t forget sun safety and drowning prevention. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death among children 1–14 years old. In fact, drowning kills more young children 1–4 years old than anything else except birth defects.

Of drowning victims who survive and are treated in emergency rooms, more than half are hospitalized or transferred for further care. They often experience brain damage, which can cause memory problems, learning disabilities, or permanent loss of basic functioning (or permanent vegetative state). Swimmers can prevent fatal and non-fatal drowning by learning swimming skills, by wearing life vests, and by swimming under the close supervision of parents, caregivers, or lifeguards who know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Remember: Think Healthy. Swim Healthy. Be Healthy! This summer and year round, let’s follow CDC’s Steps of Healthy Swimming to protect ourselves and our loved ones from illness and injury when swimming or playing in the water.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/steps-healthy-swimming.html

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season and is usually spent outside enjoying the nice weather. Picnics and barbeques are common during this holiday weekend, but you don’t want to make your holiday memorable by getting food poisoning. With the recent outbreak of E.coli in romaine lettuce take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe during the holiday weekend and summer.

A good way to make sure you don’t get food poisoning is by making sure your food is grilled like a P.R.O!

• P= Place the Thermometer! Place the food thermometer into the thickest part of the meat
• R= Read the Temp! Wait about 10-20 seconds for the temperature to be accurately displayed. Foods must reach the safe internal temperatures for safety (typically 140^◦ F or above)
• O= Off the Grill! Once the meat is at a safe temperature, take it off the grill.
• Now for cold food you want to make sure you avoid the Danger Zone! The Danger Zone is the temperature range in which bacteria can grow faster, between 41°F and 135°F. To stay clear of the Danger Zone make sure you keep cold food at or below 41^◦ F by keeping the food in a refrigerator, in coolers, or on ice. Also, limit the time coolers are open and do not leave the coolers in direct sunlight

General food safety tips include:

• Wash your hands and surfaces often. Germs that cause food poisoning can survive in many places and spread around your kitchen. Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water.
• Do not cross-contaminate food preparation areas. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

Food poisoning occurs when you eat poorly handled food that can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or other substances. The symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms can occur hours after eating the contaminated food and can last for serval hours or even days. If you have symptoms of food poisoning, you should contact your healthcare provider. For more information visit, https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html