Injection drug use is pinpointed as a cause of a jump in HIV cases in Scott County. No new cases of HIV have been reported locally.
Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency in Scott County yesterday due to an outbreak of HIV cases. The Indiana State Department of Health has identified 79 cases of HIV originating in Scott County.
The Pulaski County Health Department received a reimbursable grant for supplies in the office.
Sherry Fagner told the commissioners this week that the State Department of Health Public Preparedness Base Grant is worth $13,460.
“We’re doing some updated packet printing for our partners. As far as supplies, we kind of have a lot of different things on there to update our Go Kits for our partners and to support a POD or any other event that we have to do,” explained Fagner.
The water heater installation at the Pulaski County Justice Center has been delayed, according to Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston.
“One of the delays was with a vendor where they ordered parts for their machinery. That kind of set us back a little bit. They now have the parts that they need. They have most of the water lines in place. This week they’re going to start up the one unit and take the old one off line. We’re going to run it for a while to make sure that we have confidence that it’s going to do the job. Then they’ll remove the old one altogether and start installing the second one,” said Johnston.
The flu season is underway and health officials urge you to take steps now to prevent the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and is spread by droplets from close contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Work continues on the generator for the Pulaski County Health Department.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the county council this week that the electrician is working on obtaining a small transformer to change the voltage for the generator. A gas line also needs to be ran in order for the generator to be fully operational.
A generator will soon be installed for use by the Pulaski County Health Department.
The Pulaski County Council members approved an additional appropriation for the purchase in the amount of $3,500 in a prior meeting. It was advertised and approved again on Monday night.
Terri Hansen from the health department approached the council members on Monday where she reported that the generator still hasn’t been installed. The generator has been delivered but it’s in storage at the moment until it can be professionally installed. She expressed her frustration in the delay of the project.
Residents are wasting no time in getting flu shots in Pulaski County.
The Pulaski County Health Department is out of the vaccine for those aged three and older. The flu mist is still available through the Vaccine for Children program for those who are underinsured, uninsured and on Medicaid. Private stock doses remain for children aged six months to two years.
For those who have never had the shot before, two shots must be administered one month apart. The cost for the vaccine is $20.
The Pulaski County Health Department is holding a flu shot clinic this week. The clinic will run tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday starting at 8 a.m. EDT. Continue reading
The new generator for the Pulaski County Health Department was to be delivered this week.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners Monday night that it will be stored until a company can properly install it. The Pulaski County council members approved the money for the generator at their meeting last week.
The commissioners previously approved the purchase of a similar self-starting generator for the county home in the amount of $3,500, but the council members did not bring the purchase request to a motion last week. Commissioner Terry Young expressed his frustration in that lack of action by the council.
The Pulaski County Council approved the purchase of a generator for the health department.
Terri Hansen had been asking for a generator for the department for several years. After working with county maintenance director Jeff Johnston, Hansen said they are ready to make the purchase.
“Jeff Johnston, I talked with him a couple of times and he said the generator that would run our office is about $2,900. I’m asking for an additional in equipment for $3,500 for the generator and for any cost for the hookup,” said Hansen.
Officials at the Pulaski County Health Department are warning residents that they are not soliciting donations for cancer research awareness.
Administrator Terri Hansen told WKVI News that some residents have gotten calls from scammers who are announcing that they are from the health department and looking for donations when the department is not making these calls. Hansen said they would not call anyone for such a cause.
The Director of Maintenance for Pulaski County gave an update on the generator situation to the commissioners Monday night.
Jeff Johnston has talked with officials with Hyre Electric out of Valparaiso to give him details about connectors to hook up generators to the courthouse, annex, county home, recycling center and highway department. He’s also gathering information whether or not what the county has is sufficient enough to work or if generators will need to be purchased.
Each year the Centers for Disease Control receives approximately 30,000 reports of Lyme disease in the United States. It is a potentially serious bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of certain species of ticks.
According to the State Department of Health, the concentration of ticks will be higher this year due to the long, cold winter. Pulaski County Health Department Director of Environmental Health, Terri Hansen, has a few tips to take into consideration when it comes to keeping ticks off of your pets, your loved ones and yourself this summer season.
Officials in Pulaski County are still looking into getting more details in outfitting the county home and the Pulaski County Health Department with generators.
In previous settings, county home and health department workers have asked the commissioners for hard-wired generators that will be activated if the power would happen to go out. Currently, there isn’t a generator on hand to keep the power going in an instance of a storm or other event where the electricity could be out for some time.
The onset of storm season has brought an ongoing issue for the Pulaski County Health Department back to the forefront.
Director of Environmental Health Terri Hansen says they desperately need a generator in case of a power failure so their $80,000 worth of refrigerated vaccines don’t spoil. The county recently acquired two 400 kHz military surplus generators, but they are not compatible with the building’s existing infrastructure.
The only thing harder than being prepared is explaining why you were not! This is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is a good opportunity to know your risk, take action and be an example. The Pulaski County Health Department is one of several agencies taking part in this call to action. Preparedness measures have been put to the test with this winter’s snowfall, and tornado season will be here soon. Pulaski County Health Department Preparedness Coordinator Sherry Fagner says knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are a few steps you can take now to potentially save your life and the lives of others. Continue reading
Fagner recommends having enough food for at least three days and enough water for several days as well in case the electricity goes out or your pipes freeze. She said the amount of water should be sufficient to be used for sanitation purposes and for cooking. For food, she said it’s important to not only have nutritious items, but to stash some comfort food as well to prevent getting stir-crazy.
Fagner explained the grant will be used to support the coroner’s efforts, to purchase items like bodybags, toe tags, mobile printers to be used in the field, GPS units and other items.
Commissioner Larry Brady made a motion to approve her request. Terry Young seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
You may get a seasonal flu shot from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and Thursday, Oct. 3. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, you may get a flu shot from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Flu vaccines will be $20 for adults and $20 for children.
Officials at the health department remind you that a claim with an insurance company will not be made. You may check with the health department to see if your child qualifies for publicly funded vaccines through the State.
Call the Pulaski County Health Department for more information at (574) 946-6080.
