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Health Department Advises “Swim At Your Own Risk”
With record heat already hitting Louisiana, people are looking for ways to cool off. For many, that will involve swimming and water sports at one of the state’s beaches.
LDH News
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Public Health Medical Directors Say Increased Cigarette Tax Will Decrease Smoking, Improve Health
Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise and other DHH medical directors say the increased tax on cigarettes proposed in the Legislature will lead to a decrease in cigarette smoking, particularly among young smokers and potential smokers.
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Beach Water Quality Advisories Lifted At Martin, Holly Beaches
The swim advisories issued for the water at Martin Beach and sections at Holly Beach have been lifted. The advisories were issued because high levels of potentially unsafe bacteria were found in the water at these locations. However, water samples tested during the past seven days show the water is now acceptable for swimming.
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Cost-Sharing Introduced in EarlySteps Program
Under new guidelines proposed by the Department of Health and Hospitals, four-person families earning in excess of $58,000 will no longer qualify for free services under the state’s EarlySteps program.
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Beach Water Quality Advisory Issued For Holly and Martin Beaches in Cameron Parish
A swimming advisory has been issued for the beach water at Martin Beach and for four areas of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. This advisory is being issued because water samples collected at this location showed high levels of enteric bacteria, which comes from the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. The swim advisories issued on May 6 for Hackberry and Rutherford Beaches in Cameron Parish remain in effect. Please note that this is NOT a closure of the beach or facilities at Hackberry, Holly, Martin or Rutherford beaches. All areas remain open for boating and land-based activities.
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State Recognizes Emergency Workers
The Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services will hold its 12th annual Emergency Medical Services Week May 16-20. During the week, fire and EMS crews promote messages of healthy living and personal safety to Louisiana residents and emergency workers are recognized for heroic acts they perform.
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Beach Water Quality Advisory Issued For Hackberry and Rutherford Beaches in Cameron Parish
A swimming advisory has been issued for the beach water at Hackberry and Rutherford beaches in Cameron Parish. This advisory is being issued because water samples collected at this location showed high levels of enteric bacteria, which comes from the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. Please note that this is NOT a closure of the beach or facilities at Hackberry and Rutherford beaches. All areas remain open for boating and land-based activities.
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Swimming advisories will be issued as necessary to alert public
Swimmers and water sports enthusiasts are advised to start checking for swim advisory signs at Louisiana beaches, as the statewide BEACH monitoring program resumes this week.
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Immunization Awareness Week Begins April 24
As part of the efforts to improve health outcomes for Louisiana’s children, Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has declared the week of April 24 as National Infant Immunization Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana. Parish health units across the state, as well as partner clinics in some areas of the state, will be open extended hours on Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 to make it easier for parents to have their children immunized.
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Louisiana Trains Neighboring States on Strategic National Stockpile Readiness
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit will host a three-day training program April 12-14 to help other states to become more prepared to distribute medications and medical supplies in the event of a health threat.
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Television Announcements Available to Promote Immunizations
As part of the efforts to improve health outcomes for Louisiana’s children, Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has declared the week of April 24-30 as National Infant Immunization Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana.
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Health Department Serves Up Online Restaurant Ratings
Food reviews are a dime a dozen, but what if you want to know how sanitary that neighborhood restaurant is? Thanks to a new Web tool from the Department of Health and Hospitals, that information is just a mouse click away.