PREEMIE VOICES

A parents of preemies support group,
Here in the Southern Tier.

Formed to support parents of preemies in the womb, in the NICU, just coming home, toddling, starting school, or facing issues.

Online discussion board at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PreemieVoices
Facebook us at: Preemie Voices
Meetings monthly, Wednesday nights at PALS Center, Binghamton
Email Kathryn to inquire or become a member: leapinghurdles@yahoo.com

Always Ask Before Petting Fido

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. seeks medical attention for a dog bite-related injury. Each year in NYS, more than 16,000 people receive a dog bite serious enough to require treatment at a hospital. That’s nearly 50 people every day! These dog bites result in nearly $20 million in hospital charges.
In NYS, the number of dog bites shows a marked increase during the warm weather months; over 40% of dog bite injuries serious enough to require hospital treatment occur between May 1 and August 31.
Most dog bites occur at home or in a familiar place and the vast majority of biting dogs belong to the victim's family, a friend, or neighbor. In NYS, the rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest among children under age 15 who account for approximately one-third of all hospital visits for these injuries.
Tips for Safely Enjoying Fido:
Do not approach an unfamiliar dog. If confronted by an unfamiliar dog:
Avoid direct eye contact.
Do not pet the dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first. When you pet the dog, avoid the head and tail.
Remain motionless.
Do not run from the dog or scream.
Reacting to dogs you meet:
Always ask an owner's permission before petting his or her dog.
Approach a dog by calmly walking up to it; running can scare and startle a dog leading to a bite.
Put food, sticks, balls and other items in your hands aside and out of the way before petting a dog; a dog may grab for an item in a person's hand leading to an accidental bite.

Lead found in Vita Breath Supplement Products

FDA NEWS RELEASEFor Immediate Release: May 1, 2010Media Inquiries: Pat El-Hinnawy, 301-796-4763 or 202-557-6531, patricia.el-hinnawy@fda.hhs.gov Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDAFDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Vita Breath Dietary SupplementProducts may contain high levels of leadThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase nor consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc. of Rosemead, Calif., and marketed at health fairs and on the Internet, because the product may contain hazardous levels of lead.The FDA was notified by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about a patient with lead poisoning who reported taking Vita Breath and two other herbal products. The department analyzed a sample of Vita Breath and reported it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead. This level is more than 10,000 times higher than FDA’s maximum recommended level for lead in candy.The FDA has collected and is currently analyzing its own samples of Vita Breath.People with high blood levels of lead may show no symptoms, but the condition may cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning may cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can be diagnosed through clinical testing, and individuals who have taken Vita Breath should talk to their health care providers about testing.The FDA is working with state officials in New York and California to further investigate Vita Breath.

New Website Design!!

Hi all -


We have just launched a new, redesigned website.
Head on over to www.DelawareCountyPublicHealth.com and check out the new design! Also, if you have a smartphone, be sure to visit our website and check out our new mobile webpage!


Be sure to let us know what you think!!

Free Rabies Clinics in March

Free Rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets on:
Friday March 12th, 2010
Delhi Town Garage
3 Depot St
Delhi, NY
4:00PM to 6:00PM

Friday, March 19th, 2010
Treadwell Fire Station
9209 Cty Hwy 16
Treadwell, NY
5:00Pm to 7:00PM

Remember......

• It's the law! Every dog and cat must be vaccinated against rabies
• Cats and dogs can get their first rabies vaccine at 3 months of age.
• Proof of previous rabies vaccination must be present to receive a 3 year booster.
• Dogs must be on a leash and under proper control. Cats and ferrets should be in a carrying case.
• Local organizations have volunteered their facilities for your convenience. It is your responsability to clean up after your pet.

For questions or more information call (607)-832-5200 or see our website www.delawarecountypublic.com

Delaware County Public Health Closed

Delaware County Public Health office is closed for Friday February 26, 2010, due to weather. To get a hold of a nurse people should call the Delaware County Sheriff Department at 607-746-2336 and ask to speak to the on call supervisor.

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinic Canceled for Friday

The H1N1 and Seasonal flu clinics scheduled for Friday February 26, 2010 from 10am-11am at Delaware County Public Health is canceled due to weather.
There will be a H1N1 and Seasonal flu clinic on Friday March 5 from 10am-11am at Delaware County Public Health, 99 Main St Delhi, Ny 13753. There is no cost for H1N1 and Seasonal flu vaccine. People must call to make an appointment at (607)-832-5200, ask for Becky.

Amanda Law

On February 22, 2010, new legislation took effect in New York State requiring the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Under “Amanda’ Law,” all new and existing one and two-family homes, multifamily homes and rentals with a fuel-burning appliance, system, or attached garage must have CO alarms. This legislation expands upon the previous law which only required CO alarms in new homes or when a home was sold and is intended to help save lives from a silent, odorless, and colorless killer.

This revised law requires homes built prior to 2008 to have a CO alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area, while those built after 2008 must have a CO alarm on each story with a sleeping area or where a source of CO is located. Homes built prior to 2008 will be permitted to have battery-powered alarms, but homes constructed after January 1, 2008 will need to have the alarms hard-wired with battery-backup.

CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. Each year more than 400 people die from accidental, non-fire-related CO poisoning and over 20,000 people visit emergency departments for CO-related health effects. In New York State between 2000 and 2006, 870 residents were hospitalized for unintentional non-fire-related CO poisoning.

A recent NYSDOH survey estimates that over 70% of NYS residents already have at least one CO alarm. However, a separate survey of NYS residents conducted for Kidde, a manufacturer of CO alarms, suggests households may not have enough alarms for the size of their home and some people may not be aware of the need to periodically replace a CO alarm. Results from the Kidde survey can be accessed at: http://www.kiddeus.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-66/0,8070,pageId%3D20077%26siteId%3D384,00.html.

CO alarms should be properly installed and operated on each floor and near sleeping areas and should be replaced every five years unless the manufacturer specifies a different time period.

More information is available on the New York State Department of Health website: http://www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/carbon_monoxide/. DOH has a good supply of CO hazard awareness materials. Publications and fact sheets may be downloaded or ordered directly from the distribution center using the order form on the web page.

The NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) website also offers a variety of CO safety information and resources, including the latest CO building code text, on their website: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/COtoolkit.htm

Friday Rabies Clinic Canceled

The rabies clinic scheduled for Friday February 26, 2010 from 4pm-6pm at the Delhi Town Garage is canceled, due to the weather forecast. The rabies clinic will rescheduled in March. To keep updated on clinic dates go to www.delawarecountypublichealth.com or we can be reached at 607-832-5200.

Public Health to Hold Seasonal Flu Clinic

Delware County Public Health will be holding a Seasonal Flu clinic on Thursday January 21, 2009 from 1pm-3pm at Delaware Opportunties Rt 10 Hamden, NY. The seasonal flu clinic is open to ages 3 and up. The cost is $15.00 or bring your bring your Medicare Part B card. No appointments, walk-ins only. For more information call Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.