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Baton Rouge – January is the deadliest month for carbon monoxide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although few people in Louisiana are killed by carbon monoxide each year, during cold weather, many people unknowingly set the stage for dangerous conditions that could lead to poisonous levels. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer because it cannot be seen or smelled. Very tiny amounts of carbon monoxide can be lethal.
A national health organization says Louisiana is better prepared for a health emergency than ever before. In its fifth annual report, “Trust for America’s Health” gives Louisiana an eight out of 10 overall for emergency preparedness. This is a significant improvement from last year’s score when the state only achieved six out of 10 standards for emergency readiness.
The Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health is now making the flu vaccine available to anyone, regardless of their likelihood for catching the flu this season.
Louisiana’s vaccine supply has been affected by the recent voluntary recall of 10 lots of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine and two lots of a combination Hib and Hepatitis B vaccine. The children’s vaccine is being recalled as a preventive measure because the manufacturing company, Merck, cannot assure sterility for the lots involved.
Baton Rouge – With a click of a mouse and several quick keystrokes, doctors in Louisiana’s rural hospitals will soon have instant access to a patient’s medical information if it is stored electronically.
With a click of a mouse and several quick keystrokes, doctors in Louisiana’s rural hospitals will soon have instant access to a patient’s medical information if it is stored electronically.
It is now easier and more convenient for citizens of Orleans Parish to receive preventive health care services with the opening of a parish health unit in the city. Located at 3308 Tulane Avenue, the newest health unit is at the site of the former Orleans Women’s Clinic that was devastated by hurricane Katrina.
This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and to provide free flu shots to citizens, the Calcasieu Medical Reserve Corps is sponsoring flu vaccine clinics at several locations in Calcasieu Parish.
More people will be tested for HIV in the upcoming year due to a $1.4 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The grant is designed to increase testing among populations disproportionately affected by HIV, primarily African Americans.
Louisiana continues to rank in the top 15 states in reported cases of three nationally-notifiable sexually transmitted diseases -- syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Health officials continue to identify very few cases of West Nile virus in Louisiana this year. To date, only 44 cases of the mosquito-borne human disease have been confirmed. This compares to 190 cases at this same time last year.