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Baton Rouge – In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Health and Hospitals—Office of Public Health’s Laboratory in New Orleans is closed indefinitely. Until further notice, all newborn screening (PKU) specimens will be sent to the OPH Laboratory in Shreveport.
Baton Rouge – Because many residents are without utilities and therefore unable to boil their water, health officials offer more specific recommendations for water disinfection.
Baton Rouge – State health officials have issued an update to conditions of water systems in Southeast Louisiana.
Baton Rouge – The Department of Health and Hospitals offers the following safety tips to prevent injury and the spread of disease following Hurricane Katrina.
Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals advises people to avoid contact with floodwaters following a hurricane. Residents of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina are advised to keep the following tips in mind if flooding has occurred near them:
Baton Rouge – In response to the boil order that was issued by Louisiana State Police concerning the Jefferson Parish water system, health officials offer more specific recommendations for water disinfection.
Baton Rouge – State and Local health officials are warning the residents of East Jefferson Waterworks District #1 (eastbank), West Jefferson Waterworks District #2 (westbank), including Grand Isle, St. Charles Water District #1 (eastbank) and Westwego Waterworks not to drink, make ice from, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water unless it has been properly disinfected until further notice. Due to pressure loss in the water systems that has resulted from Hurricane Katrina, it has been determined that some water systems may not be safe for consumption at this time. At this time water systems through out Southeast Louisiana are notifying their customers of the status of their water systems.
Baton Rouge –- Thousands of people are treated for chainsaw injuries each year, but the risk for incurring such injuries increases substantially after a hurricane, when people are more likely to be using a chainsaw as part of cleaning up trees and fallen branches.
Baton Rouge – Residents of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina may have experienced water contamination or power outages that led to food spoilage. The Department of Health and Hospitals offers the following food and water safety tips:
The Department of Health and Hospitals announced today that public health workers throughout the state would respond for duty on Monday, August 30.
Baton Rouge – Special triage telephone lines will be opened at 12:00 p.m. in each region to accept the calls of citizens seeking special needs sheltering. Citizens with special needs seeking shelter must call telephone number in their area BEFORE attempting to access a shelter. These numbers are listed below.
Baton Rouge --- The Department of Health and Hospitals completed a disease investigation this week in the Prairieville and Gonzales area in Ascension Parish after several people became ill with severe diarrhea and vomiting. DHH disease specialists determined the illness was caused by cryptosporidium, a parasite that can be transmitted to humans primarily through water but also can be foodborne or spread person-to-person.