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Baton Rouge --- Most parents know backyard pools can be a drowning hazard, but they forget bathtubs, buckets, toilets, hot tubs and spas can be just as dangerous. Accidents involving these common household items cause the drowning deaths of approximately 115 children each year, in addition to the approximately 250 children per year who drown in household pools.
Baton Rouge – Two years ago today, America suffered an unprecedented terrorist attack. Since that assault by middle east extremists, much has been done to better prepare the country to defend itself, as well as increase our readiness should another threat become a reality.
Baton Rouge --- Public health officials today announce six more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state’s total to 52 cases. The new cases were three people from Caddo Parish and one case each from Bossier, Lafourche and Orleans parishes. Orleans is the only parish that had not previously reported a human West Nile case this year.
Baton Rouge – In observation of Grandparents Day, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is reminding grandparents that they can apply for no-cost health insurance for grandchildren in their care through the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP). On LaCHIP applications for households in which a grandparent is responsible for the care of a child, the grandparent’s income is not counted toward eligibility. This policy differs from other state programs such as Food Stamps, TANF cash assistance and free or reduced school lunch.
Baton Rouge --- The state’s total of 2003 West Nile cases reached 46 Tuesday, with the addition of six new cases from Bossier (two cases), Caddo (two cases), Livingston (one case) and Morehouse (one case) parishes. Although state health officials have reported new cases each week since mid-July, Louisiana’s case count remains significantly lower than that of other states.
Baton Rouge --- Public health officials have confirmed an earlier report from the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office stating that a man from Caddo Parish is the first person to die of West Nile virus complications this year.
Baton Rouge --- The Department of Health and Hospitals today announces six more Louisiana residents have tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the 2003 case total to 40 cases. Three of the new cases come from Caddo Parish, where this year’s West Nile outbreak has been centered. Caddo has 25 of Louisiana’s total cases. Other new cases were reported in Bossier, Ouachita and Tangipahoa parishes.
Baton Rouge --- CommunityCARE is rolling into New Orleans, and the city is rolling out the red carpet for the program this Friday, with a kickoff at the Delgado Community College Student Life Learning Center. Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary David W. Hood and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry will make a presentation twice while at the kickoff, once in the morning and again that afternoon.
Baton Rouge --- State health officials today report 13 new human cases of West Nile virus in Louisiana, raising the total from 21 to 34. Nine new cases were from Caddo Parish, where the state’s outbreak is centered. Caddo has 22 out of Louisiana’s 34 cases. Bossier, Livingston, St. Tammany and Union parishes each reported one case in this week’s testing results.
Baton Rouge — By the scheduled end of the program on Saturday, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health had vaccinated more than 11,846 people statewide through its three-day immunization initiative. Public health officials note that this approximate count may be even higher when final numbers from all of the clinics are reassessed later this week.
Baton Rouge --- The statewide total of humans infected with the West Nile virus has risen to 21, with six new cases from Caddo Parish reported today. So far, Caddo has been the parish hardest hit by West Nile virus, harboring 13 of Louisiana’s cases. All six victims contracted West Nile meningo-encephalitis, the more severe form of the virus. No West Nile-related deaths have been reported for 2003.
Baton Rouge—Due to the overwhelming success of the recent three-day immunization program, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health announced today that it would continue to have no-cost immunizations during the entire month of August at all parish health units throughout the state. All parents are encouraged to call their private physicians or parish health units if they are unsure about whether or not their children need shots.