The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is investigating a confirmed Hepatitis A case involving a food service worker at the Cold Spot at 710 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro.
KCHD initiates new harm reduction guidelines
In response to expressed concerns, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is initiating new guidelines for its harm reduction program, particularly the syringe exchange.
HEALTH ADVISORY #144 Enhanced Surveillance for Hepatitis A Cases Among Homeless and Persons Who Inject Drugs
Multiple state (California, Kentucky, Michigan, and Utah) and local health departments have been reporting hepatitis A virus (HAV) (genotype 1B) outbreaks among homeless persons, persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, and their close contacts since 2016. At this time, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (BPH) has not seen an increase in reported HAV cases.
HAV is a vaccine-preventable disease that is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. People who are homeless are at particularly high-risk due to lack of access to clean toilets and handwashing facilities. HAV does not result in chronic infection and can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to severe illness lasting several months. Symptoms include acute onset of fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, clay-colored stool, and jaundice
Free flu shots available Tuesday at St. Albans City Hall
The Kanawha County Commission in partnership with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department will continue “Project Last Shot” offering free flu shots to Kanawha County residents. A clinic is scheduled Tuesday, March 06, at St. Albans City Hall. The vaccinations are available from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kanawha-Charleston BOH hires Gaziano as interim health officer
Dr. Dominic Gaziano is the new health officer at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health took the action at a Feb. 26 special meeting.
KCHD Prevention, Wellness director guests on UC talk radio series
Tina Ramirez, director of prevention and wellness for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, will participate in a live blog talk radio series on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
KCHD Prevention, Wellness director guests on UC talk radio series
Tina Ramirez, director of prevention and wellness for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, will participate in a live blog talk radio series on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
The radio show is part of the Script Your Future campaign. Hosts are Dr. Susan Gardner, assistant dean for student and professional affairs; and Dr. Sarah Embrey, assistant professor. Both are University of Charleston School of Pharmacy faculty members.
Free flu shots available Feb. 22 on bus at transit mall
The Kanawha County Commission, the Kanawha Regional Transit Authority and the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department are joining to offer free flu shots to Kanawha County residents. On Thursday, Feb. 22, a KRT bus will be parked at the transit mall in Charleston from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. KCHD will staff the bus and offer free flu shots to anyone interested.
Former educator lauds free flu shots as ‘extremely good use of my taxpayer money’
“Kudos to the county commission—Kent Carper and the other commissioners. They were [at Charleston Town Center] giving free flu shots, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. They were actually walking up and down the mall to give hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes to people, and I just thought that was an extremely good use of my taxpayer money…”
Kirk receives WVALHD Personal Achievement Award
Lolita Kirk, left, chief of staff at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and a KCHD employee for more than 30 years, receives the West Virginia Association of Local Health Department’s 2017 Personal Achievement Award from Dr. Michael Brumage, KCHD executive director and health officer.
HEALTH ADVISORY #142 Vigilance for Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Since acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) was first recognized in the United States in 2014, only two confirmed cases have been reported in West Virginia (both in 2016). Though no cases have been reported in 2017, healthcare providers are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of AFM among all age groups and report suspected cases of AFM to their local health departments. Reporting of cases will help public health monitor the occurrence of AFM to better understand factors associated with this illness.
HEALTH ADVISORY #143 Widespread Influenza Activity and Severity in West Virginia
Influenza activity has increased significantly in the United States in recent weeks. West Virginia is characterized as having widespread activity. This influenza season is notable for the sheer volume of ill cases that has caused stress to health systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Advisory (https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00409.asp) that warned of a high-severity influenza A (H3N2) season and resulting clinical implications. As of January 6, 2018, 20 pediatric influenza deaths were reported nationally, none in West Virginia.
It’s the norovirus time of year
Late fall and winter bring about holiday celebrations and a nasty stomach bug known formally as the norovirus. According to Dr. Michael Brumage, executive director and health officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, “Norovirus is highly contagious and can quickly spread. Most people recover from the illness in one to three days. The elderly, very young children, and those with underlying health conditions are at greater risk for hospitalization.”
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KCHD harm reduction program wins Red Ribbon Award
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s harm reduction program received the Red Ribbon Award from Charleston’s Living AIDS Memorial Garden. The award was presented at a Dec. 1 World AIDS Day observance in Charleston.