Summer allows more time for kids to enjoy

outdoor activities. When kids are covered with

bug bites after being outside, parents may start to

worry about disease spread by ticks, such as Lyme

disease, or by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus.

Luckily, you can take simple steps to prevent bites

& diseases spread by bugs.

Use an effective Insect Repellent

Looking through the many insect repellents in the

grocery store can be overwhelming and may

leave you wondering which ones are the best. The

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

recommend a variety of effective products, as

listed in the wallet card below—sized to cut & keep

in your wallet.

As hard as it may be to think about, any single bug

bite has the potential to bring illness, so it’s worth

taking a moment for prevention.

Make your backyard a tick-safe zone While you may think that ticks only live in the

woods, ticks can also lurk in backyards. Here are

some simple landscaping techniques that can help

reduce tick populations:

Remove leaf litter.

Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and

at the edge of lawns.

Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or

gravel between lawns and wooded areas to

restrict tick migration into recreational areas.

Mow the lawn frequently.

Stack wood neatly and in a dry area

(discourages rodents).

Keep playground equipment, decks, and

patios away from yard edges and trees.

Discourage animals (such as deer, raccoons,

and stray dogs) from entering your yard by

putting up fences.

Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from

the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.

Check for Ticks ✔ Ticks can ride in on parents, kids, and even the

family pet. Check clothing and pets as soon as

you get inside!

✔ Bathe or shower as soon as possible after

coming indoors (preferably within two hours)

✔ Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for

10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you

come indoors

For more information on ticks and mosquitoes, visit:

www.cdc.gov.

January / February 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

Protect your family from bug bitesProtect your family from bug bites….…..……. 1

It’s Hurricane Season……….…..…………..…… 2

Bats & Rabies…………………….…………......… 3

Food Safety at Fairs & Festivals..………………. 4

National Immunization Awareness Month….. 5

Events and Resources…………………………... 6

Don’t let mosquitoes & ticks bug you this summer

Volume 4, Issue 4

July/August 2017

Paul Masaba, MD, MPH & TM

Director of Health/Health Officer

SCDOH in Action!

SCDOH’s Fight the Bite! Fight the Bite! program provides

residents with tools and resources that can help them to

protect themselves and families from mosquito bites.

For more information on the Fight the Bite! Fight the Bite! program, visit

our website at: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 each year.

Hurricanes are dangerous and destructive. They can cause high winds,

flooding, heavy rain, and storm surges (high tidal waves).

You can’t stop a tropical storm or hurricane, but you can take steps now to

protect you and your family. Follow these important preparedness tips to

make sure you and your family are ready:

✔ Prepare for a Hurricane: Take basic steps now to ensure your safety,

should a storm hit.

✔ Emergency Supplies: Stock your home and your car with supplies.

✔ Make a Plan: Create a family disaster plan.

✔ Prepare to Evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.

✔ Protecting Older Adults: Understand older adult health and medical

concerns.

✔ Protecting Pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after an emergency.

✔ Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning after the storm: Place generators outside at least 20 feet from any

door, window, or vent. Check with local officials to see if your generator is safe or needs a permit.

✔ After a hurricane: Learn how to avoid injuries and make sure your food and water are safe.

CDC strongly recommends that you print all important resources before a hurricane strikes. Power outages

during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it.

Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe.

For more information on hurricanes, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.html

Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4

Page 2.

It’s Hurricane Season: Are you Ready?

SCDOH in Action!

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to

improve the health and safety of their communities. MRC units engage these volunteers to

strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities and build community

resiliency. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other

community members without healthcare backgrounds.

There are many benefits to being a volunteer for the MRC.

As an MRC volunteer, you are registered as an emergency worker, meaning you work within the

established system for emergency response.

Being a member of the MRC does not cost anything.

MRC volunteers receive the most current preparedness training

You get to give back to your community!

This year, Somerset County MRC will be implementing the Revitalization Initiative! Our unit has been working

for over a decade to strengthen its communities and assist them in becoming more resilient. This MRC is in a

unique position to help communities prepare for an emergency, actively assist during an emergency, and

aid in the recovery period following an emergency. One way that they can do this is by enhancing

community collaboration and partnerships. An Engagement Team/Advisory Board of veteran MRC members

has been established and trained to go out into the community and raise awareness of the MRC program

with the goal of recruiting new individuals for the unit. You do not have to be a health professional; there are

always jobs for everyone!

Join the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps! Apply online at https://njmrc.nj.gov!

SCDOH has created resources to help you build your own family

emergency guide, including: emergency contact card, coping after a

disaster, cleaning up the house post-disaster, protecting yourself during

clean-up, food safety after a power outage, and sheltering information.

Visit our website to

download the resources:

www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

There may be more myths about bats than any other animal. Some people

think bats are creepy nighttime vampires out to haunt humans. In fact,

these flying animals are extremely useful to humans and are gentle,

intelligent creatures. Like other mammals, including ourselves and many of

our pets, bats have hair or fur on their bodies and are warm-blooded. These

creatures are the only mammals that can fly. Bats use this flying skill to

protect us from mosquitoes, as they are the primary predators of night flying

insects. A single little brown bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquito sized

insects in an hour and up to 3,000 insects in a single night. While bats are an

important part of our environment, everyone needs to be aware of their role

in transmitting rabies.

While most bats don’t have rabies, bat bites are still of great concern. When people are bitten by other

animals, the bites are usually large enough that they consult their health care provider, and are evaluated for

possible rabies risk. However, bat bites are small and may be overlooked. This is why it is very important to

seek medical advice after any contact with a bat.

Just looking at a bat, you can’t tell if it has rabies. Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory. But any bat

that is active by day or is found in a place where bats are not usually seen - like in your home or on your lawn

-- just might be rabid. A bat that is unable to fly and is easily approached could very well be sick. Bats only

come out when the sun is down. If you see a bat that can´t fly, or see a bat during the day, there might be

something wrong. The bat may be sick, and you should be sure to stay away and contact your local animal

control agency.

Rabies is a fatal disease. Each year, tens of thousands of people across the world are successfully protected

from developing rabies through vaccination after being bitten by an animal - like a bat - that may have

rabies. There are usually only one or two human rabies cases each year in the United States, and the most

common way for people to get rabies in the United States is through contact with a bat. However, it’s also

important to assure your family pets are protected too, by bringing them to get their rabies’ shots.

Rabies is a major reason why you should teach your children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or

domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for

children to learn.

What should you do if you are unlucky enough to receive a bat bite?

Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention

immediately.

Have all dead, sick, or easily captured bats tested for rabies if exposure to people or pets occurs.

Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools,

and other similar areas where they might contact people and pets.

Be sure your pets are vaccinated. When scheduled, area rabies clinics are posted on the

Somerset County Department of Health website at: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

Awareness of the facts about bats and rabies can help people protect themselves, their

families, and their pets. This information may also help clear up misunderstandings about bats.

To learn more, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/bat_fact_sheet.pdf, the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention www.cdc.gov/rabies or Somerset County Department of Health www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4

Page 3.

Bats & Rabies

Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4

Page 4.

Food Safety at Fairs & Festivals

A fun summer activity for

many people is attending

fairs, festivals, & carnivals.

One of the biggest draws to

these events is the many

different types of foods &

drinks available.

Foodborne illnesses increase during the summer

months, making it even more important to follow

food safety steps. One reason for the increase in

illness is that people are cooking & eating outside

more often. Sometimes the usual safety controls

that a kitchen provides, like monitoring of food

temperatures, refrigeration, workers trained in food

safety and washing facilities, may not be available

when cooking and dining at fairs & festivals. Food

safety practices should be the same at fairs as they

are at restaurants & at home: Clean, Separate,

Cook, & Chill.

What should you consider before buying food from

a vendor?

Does the vendor have a clean/tidy

workstation?

Does the vendor have a sink for employees to

wash their hands?

Do the employees wear gloves or use tongs

when handling food?

Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for

raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?

Has the vendor been inspected? Is a recent

inspection report available? Requirements vary

by state, but in general temporary & mobile

vendors, like those at fairs &carnivals, should

have a license to sell food & beverages. You

can check with the local health department to

see if the vendors are licensed & if a food

inspection has been completed.

Are there healthy food alternatives to consider at

fairs & festivals?

When purchasing food from a vendor, look for

healthy options first. If they are not available,

consider bringing your own food to save money &

calories. Bringing food from home allows you to

eat a healthy meal or snack as a family, while still

enjoying the festive atmosphere around you.

Remember: Keep safe food storage practices in

mind, cold foods cold & hot foods hot!

What steps you can take to protect your family:

Wash Hands Often:

Find out where hand washing stations are

located.

Always wash your hands right after petting

animals, touching the animal enclosure, &

exiting animal areas – even if you did not touch

an animal.

Always wash hands after using the restroom,

after playing a game or going on a ride,

before eating & drinking, before preparing

food or drinks, after changing diapers, & after

removing soiled clothes or shoes.

Bring hand sanitizers or disposable wipes in

case there aren't any places to wash your

hands.

Wash your hands with soap & clean running water

for at least 20 seconds. **Hand sanitizers are not as

effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

Report Illness:

Anytime you think you may have gotten a

foodborne illness, report it to your local health

department, even if you have already recovered.

The local public health department is an important

part of the food safety system. Often, calls from

concerned citizens are how outbreaks are first

detected.

VENDORS: Requirements differ by state, but in

general temporary & mobile food vendors should

apply for a food license with the fair's state or

county health department. Many

community-based organizations set up booths to

sell various foods at local festivals & fairs too.

Including a person trained in food safety

throughout the planning process, as well as have

them present at the fair is important. It is also

important that food safety steps are followed so

the food served doesn't make anyone sick. All

food vendors must follow the four basic food safety

steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, & Chill.

SCDOH serves as the Health Department to our

contracted communities: Bedminster (including

Pluckemin, Pottersville), Far Hills, Franklin (including

East Millstone, Franklin Park, Kingston, Middlebush,

Griggstown, Little Rocky Hill, Somerset, Zarephath),

Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville.

If you live in any other township,

please contact your local health department.

Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4

Page 5.

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the

importance of vaccination for people of all ages. NIAM was established to encourage people of all ages to

make sure they are up to date on the vaccines recommended for them.

Each week of National Immunization Awareness Month focuses on a

different stage of the lifespan:

✔ Babies and young children (July 31-August 6)

✔ Pregnant women (August 7-13)

✔ Adults (August 14-20)

✔ Preteen/Teen (August 21-27)

✔ Back to School (July/August)

Back-to-school season will be here before you know it! It’s the time for parents to gather school supplies and

back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines. Vaccines

protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. When children are not

vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms

and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened

immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions. Talk to your child’s doctor to find out which

vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school. For more information about

National Immunization Awareness Month, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html.

Do you have unpleasant memories of getting the chickenpox when you

were young? You may remember having an uncomfortable rash, staying

home from school for a week, and trying not to scratch the scabs. You may

also remember it as a rite of passage, because all of your friends got it—It

was just part of growing up. That’s because chickenpox is very contagious.

One child can spread it to another from 1 to 2 days before they get the rash

until all their chickenpox blisters have formed scabs (usually 5-7 days). But,

now, your children don’t have to suffer the way and your friends did because

there’s a vaccine to protect them against chickenpox.

Before the chickenpox vaccine became available, nearly 11,000 people

were hospitalized and about 50 children died. The disease can cause serious

complications, even in healthy children. These complications include skin

infections, lung infections (pneumonia), swelling of the brain, bleeding

problems, blood stream infections (sepsis), and dehydration.

“The most important thing to remember is that we cannot predict which child will get a serious case or have

complications from the chickenpox,” explained Dr. Stephanie Bialek at the CDC. “The chickenpox vaccine is

very safe, and about 90% of kids who get both recommended doses of the chickenpox vaccine are

protected against the disease. Therefore, we recommend that children get vaccinated.”

CDC recommends children get the first dose of the chickenpox vaccine at age 12 through 15 months old

and the second at age 4 through 6 years. Some children do get the disease even after they are vaccinated,

but it’s usually milder. Children who get chickenpox after vaccination typically have fewer red spots or

blisters and mild or no fever. The chickenpox vaccine prevents almost all cases of severe disease. If your child

only got one dose in the past, check with your child’s doctor about getting a second dose.

If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. See

more information about vaccines (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents). See more information about

chickenpox (https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/).

Why Your Child Needs Chickenpox Vaccine

Events & Resources

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/

schealthdept

Public Health Focus July/August 2017 Volume 4, Issue 4

A publication of the Somerset County Department of Health

P.O. Box 3000 27 Warren Street

Somerville, NJ 08876

908-231-7155

www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this publication should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice of your physician.

Readers should consult their physicians for answers to specific clinical questions.

Page 6.

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Follow us!

For more information visit our website: www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

July 15 Free Skin Cancer Screening

Bee Meadow Pool—Hanover Township

11:00am to 1:00pm

July 20 SCDOH will be at the ballpark

Going to the game? Stop by our information table!

Somerset Patriots—TD Ballpark—7:05PM Game

August 26 SCDOH will be at the ballpark

Going to the game? Stop by our information table!

Somerset Patriots—TD Ballpark—7:05PM Game

Health Observances

July

UV Safety Month

July 15th

Choose Your Cover

August

National Immunization

Awareness Month

#NIAM17

Free Family Fun!

August 9-10-11, 2017

North Branch Park, Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ

Visit Somerset County Department of Health in the Somerset County tent!

LINCS Notifications

Somerset County participates in the Public Health Emergency

Notification System (PHENS) and the Local Information Network

Communications System (LINCS) for notices on urgent health threats.

Interested? Sign up here or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.

For a calendar of programs, please visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/health