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 Starke County Health Department will conduct a flu shot clinic on Wednesday afternoon in their office on the first floor of the courthouse. Vaccines will be available free of charge for children with Medicaid, no insurance or insurance that doesn’t cover shots. Adult flu shots cost $20. Call the health department at 574-772-9137 for more information.
February, the peak of flu season, is just a couple weeks away, but Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said it’s still not too late to get your flu shot. With the H1N1 virus now widespread across 35 states, including Indiana, it is becoming increasingly important to get those vaccinations.
Lynch said it takes about two weeks to build an immunity after getting vaccinated.
The Starke County Health Department will hold a flu shot clinic today from 1:30–3:30 p.m. The clinic will be conducted in the health department office on the first floor of the courthouse.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said flu vaccinations for adults and children will be administered at a cost of $20. Children who are covered under Medicaid, have no insurance or insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines, can be vaccinated at the Health Department. If a flu shot is covered under insurance, that child will need to go to his/her physician’s office to get a flu shot.
If you have questions, call the Health Department at (574) 772-9137.
Students will be returning to the classroom in mid-August, so now is the time to schedule immunizations for your child.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch talks about immunizations needed for Kindergarten students.
“They will need their Kindergarten shots,” Lynch explained. “If they’re up to date on everything else, then they should be looking at only having to come in and get their tetanus and their polio boosters, their second MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and a second Varicella (chicken pox) if they haven’t had it already.”
Students in grade six and up also need certain immunizations.
Changes in state funded vaccines has changed operations at the Starke County Health Department.
Health Nurse Frank Lynch says that as of February 1st, the Health Department will no longer be able to provide vaccinations for those who have private insurance that covers vaccines.
Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, has released information about upcoming flu shot clinics.
Adult flu shots will be given on Thursday, October 13th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. CT at the Health Department in the Starke County Courthouse. A children’s flu shot clinic will be held on Thursday, October 20th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. CT. Some nasal mists will be available for children.
We’re entering into the fall season and there has been a lot of information about the flu as we get into the flu season.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch told WKVI that he is ordering flu shot supplies and he will hold evening flu clinics so you can get your flu shot for the season. When he gets the supply, he will also be able to administer flu shots during immunization hours on Tuesdays by appointment.
School will be starting for area schools in less than a month and Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, is encouraging parents to make an immunization appointment at the Health Department as soon as possible so your child is ready for the start of school.
Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, presented a new fee schedule for the Commissioners’ final approval.
The fees to obtain copies of birth and death records have been slightly increased to a flat-fee of $10 each. Previously, the fee to obtain birth certificates was $8 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy, while the fee for death records was $10 for the first and $9 for any additional copy.
A fine of $250 for food establishments operating without a permit has also been approved. This is a very important step in cracking down on food-related infractions, as David Kesvormas, the Starke County Contract Food Inspector, is conducting inspections and will now be able to issue these fines.
On the other end of the spectrum, fees for septic permits have been decreased significantly from $200 for a new install and $40 for repair to a flat rate of $60. This change is due to the retirement of the previous Environmentalist, David Singleton, who was certified and able to perform borings and soil samplings. Because he will no longer be doing so, contractors and home owners will need to hire a soil scientist to perform these procedures, which can get pricey.
Last week, the Starke County Commissioners replaced two Starke County Health Board members, Bob Howard and Madge Whickcar. Howard, as previously reported, had served for ten years, eight of them as President. Named to replace the pair were Jennifer Davis and Beverly Fraine. Both were Democrat appointments.
State and local health officials have news for parents this cold and flu season. Antibiotics don’t work for a cold or the flu.
According to public opinion research, there is a perception that “antibiotics cure everything”. Unfortunately, taking antibiotics when they are not needed can do more harm than good. Widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics fuel an increase in drug-resistant bacteria. As a result medical research facilities use research peptides in order to develop stronger antibiotics working in conjunction with drug process development services, attempting to thwart this completely avoidable issue. As you can imagine, this research and development time could be far better implemented if this wasn’t the case.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic resistance is the world’s most pressing public health problem. Americans of all ages could lower this risk by talking to their doctors and using antibiotics appropriately during this cold and flu season.
Influenza has not been a big scare yet in Starke or Pulaski Counties.
Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, said that flu numbers are down right now and no cases of H1N1 have been reported. Whooping cough has been a great concern around the state this season but no cases have been reported in Starke County. Lynch would like to remind Starke County residents that flu shots are available at his office, both adult and child doses. He also recommends that residents wash their hands frequently to avoid getting the flu and spreading germs. Call the Health Department at (574) 772-9137 to make an appointment to get your flu shot.
The Starke County Health Department will be having a children’s seasonal flu clinic on Monday, November 29th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. CT in the Health Department in the Courthouse.
Call 772-9137 for appointment times.
