tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42546153876340706942011-08-01T07:45:04.863-05:00Working with you to build a strong foundation for public health in our community -- helping people live longer, happier, healthier lives.Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-14498004350773647042009-10-28T13:33:00.003-05:002009-10-28T13:36:02.932-05:00

The health department is recruiting volunteers to help during the flu season - answer phones, help with office duties and recruit more volunteers.Call 417-874-1297, email volunteerhealth@springfieldmo.gov or visist www.beacommunityhero.com for details. Training starts November 2.www.springfieldmo.gov/health/pr2009/102809volunteerCall.pdf

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-46362656250298020882009-10-24T21:14:00.002-05:002009-10-24T21:14:47.218-05:00

President Obama declares the H1N1 pandemic a national emergency.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_swine_flu

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-26938429645720869992009-10-02T08:51:00.001-05:002009-10-02T08:52:24.054-05:00

In your elbow or sleeve, not on your hand. That's the hypothesis from some bright, young scientists studying the proper way to sneeze.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXgRvdq7fg

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-65376435313257766532009-09-28T13:16:00.002-05:002009-09-28T13:18:24.369-05:00

The emergency room is not always the best option for everyone. Learn what you should do when you get the symptoms of flu. http://www.fighttheflumo.com/materials/WhatToDoWhenUHaveFlu.pdfAlso a new toolkit for faith-based organizations and information for people with asthma.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-37538590579101678842009-09-23T14:06:00.000-05:002009-09-23T14:07:12.646-05:00

Wondering who should get H1N1 vaccinations, when and where to get them? Find answers to your questions about the new vaccine.http://www.fighttheflumo.com/materials/H1N1Vaccine_QA.pdf

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-81367645880094993972009-09-18T16:13:00.002-05:002009-09-18T16:13:56.699-05:00

New poster of texting teen with message about H1N1 and seasonal flu posted to www.fightthefluMO.com along with a Q and A comparison of H1N1 versus seasonal flu. Check it out!

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-50727530353940482222009-09-17T14:52:00.003-05:002009-09-17T14:53:36.323-05:00

Fight the Flu website has been updated to include three new posters for pregnant moms, parents and senior adults. The health care worker page has also had a major overhaul. Check it out at www.fightthefluMO.com.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-18258386191222918502009-09-15T15:19:00.000-05:002009-09-15T15:20:08.923-05:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks.The vaccines are made by CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and sanofi pasteur Inc. All four firms

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-25844110543874335602009-09-14T08:29:00.001-05:002009-09-14T08:30:34.071-05:00

Quoting:"Swine influenza has been present in the United States for over 80 years, but the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus now circulating among humans is not the same as "swine flu." The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a "novel" flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs..."

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-46347650962613900322009-09-11T15:15:00.000-05:002009-09-11T15:16:35.409-05:00

Early reports from clinical trials of H1N1 vaccine show they are well tolerated and effective after one dose. Read the HHS news release at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090911a.html.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-70891099150751496472009-09-11T14:57:00.002-05:002009-09-11T14:59:19.216-05:00

Springfield and Greene County food establishment coverage areas are assigned based on staff seniority and driving distance. For example, an inspector might be assigned the southwest corner of town if they live in that area. Another staff member might be assigned a coverage area near their office. This is to maximize time spent in the field versus drive time and maintain efficiency with mileage

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-64779227881015620692009-09-11T14:56:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:56:54.183-05:00

In 2005 there were 3448 live births in Greene County.In 2006 there were 3414.In 2007 there were 3786.You can get more detail and find out about deaths as well at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/MICA/. Just choose the indicators to run a query.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-30864976369321566292009-09-11T14:50:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:51:44.753-05:00

We offer the typhoid vaccination for $58 or the oral course for $42 (must have either at least two weeks in advance, one month in advance is recommended).We do not off the Malaria medication. You’ll need to see a physician for that.Our office is located at 660 S Scenic in Springfield. Please call 417-874-1220 to make an appointment or to get more information.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-60580243746097642982009-09-11T14:47:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:47:57.863-05:00

Call our Westside Public Health Center at 417-874-1220.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-17266491052055435652009-09-11T14:44:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:47:06.672-05:00

Dog breeders in Missouri are licensed by the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture. You can call them at 573-751-3076 to check on licensed breeders in the state. They also have a website at http://mda.mo.gov/.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-57194249072700750412009-09-11T14:43:00.002-05:002009-09-11T14:44:17.747-05:00

If you live inside the city limits of Springfield Animal Control Officers can set a trap to catch the opossum. Just call 864-2069, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. If you do not live inside city limits, just push the opossum out the nearest open door with a broom. Then block the opening that is allowing the opossum to enter your house.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-30512839138880019452009-09-11T14:41:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:42:41.828-05:00

While we cannot make a person open their pool or put it into service, we do have an interest in standing/stagnant water that might be providing a breeding area for mosquitoes. It’s often difficult to investigate such complaints unless the property owner gives us permission to go into their back yard. We usually end up just advising them to treat the water so the mosquito larvae can’t live to

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-18942887944116067282009-09-11T14:39:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:40:16.385-05:00

The pit bull ordinance only applies inside the city limits of Springfield. If the pit bull is left outside, it must be in a pen with a top and bottom and a lock on the gate.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-37570626714935626782009-09-11T14:37:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:38:37.586-05:00

Springfield City Ordinance Sec 18-13 Possession, display or sale of wild animals prohibits any person to keep, possess, display or offer for sale any wild animal and goes on to define as: “dangerous or poisonous reptiles.”

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-44765384604518502732009-09-11T14:34:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:37:02.384-05:00

We do trap groundhogs in the city of Springfield. Groundhogs are very susceptible to heat, so we do not trap them during the hot summer months. We will also come out and pick a groundhog up if you trap it yourself. To request a trap call the Animal Control Office at 417-864-2069.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-45792369643551938752009-09-11T14:24:00.003-05:002009-09-11T14:33:19.061-05:00

We can require management to get more dumpsters if existing dumpsters were overflowing chronically and we got complaints about it. As long as dumpsters aren’t overflowing, then whatever management works out with tenants is between them. You may want to consider recycling to reduce the volume of trash you need to throw away.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-74070600570859161002009-09-11T14:22:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:23:48.056-05:00

No, the health department does not offer hearing tests.Some community resources you may investigate include Parents as Teachers, who do screening for children, depending on their age, and can provide a referral if needed.An ear, nose and throat doctor could also do a screening. If you don’t have a pediatrician, you might want to check with Jordan Valley Community Health Center to see if they

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-4264478711136861712009-09-11T14:21:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:22:01.008-05:00

City ordinance allows 4 cats per adult at the residence. There is no limit on kittens. Cats are free to roam. The cat’s owner must be able to show proof of rabies vaccination for their cats, but the cat does not have to wear the tag.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-85389890322460727532009-09-11T14:19:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:20:58.769-05:00

The inspectors have a guideline to follow to determine if the facility needs to be closed and their permit pulled. Repeat critical violations that can result in an imminent health hazard, ie.a. Operating a food establishment with sewage back upb. Operating without electricity c. Operating with no form of refrigeration to keep potentially hazardous foods below 41 degrees Fd.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-54968362430444340382009-09-11T14:18:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:19:31.268-05:00

If you live inside the city limits of Springfield, city ordinance requires that the rabies tag be displayed on the dog.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-61243056172914727322009-09-11T14:15:00.002-05:002009-09-11T14:17:42.755-05:00

Bedbugs are a human parasite that usually hide during the day and come out at night to feed on human blood. They are small (about 7 mm), but you can see them. They have no wings, are yellow to reddish brown and are oval shaped with prominent eyes. They can hide in the cracks and crevices of mattresses, in box springs, on the backboards of beds, and behind loose wallpaper baseboards, and they

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-57897271670305154352009-09-11T14:13:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:14:39.782-05:00

Fortunately people will only experience itchy bumps from the bite. In some cases, an allergic reaction can cause inflammation and swelling of the skin at the bite site. This may turn into a rash, and a secondary bacterial infection can occur. Rarely an asthmatic reaction can also occur.There is no definitive treatment for a bed bug bite, but you can check with your health care provider for

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-51016454220577440642009-09-11T14:09:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:11:00.416-05:00

We offer pregnancy testing at no charge at our main office, located at 227 E Chestnut Expressway, between the Police Dept and Old City Hall.Walk in testing is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 am to 10:30 am. We do not take appointments for pregnancy testing.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-86926513001283054092009-09-11T14:08:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:09:28.856-05:00

Sewer gas can happen when a p-trap goes dry, so many times just adding water to a drain will form a barrier so the gas cannot get through. Also, venting up through the roof designed to let the sewer gas escape can get blocked from birds building a nest or wasp nests. The health department does not test for sewer gas, but any plumber should be able to. They use a colored smoke test to determine

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-2931587804427654352009-09-11T14:06:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:08:01.902-05:00

You can call the WIC office at 417-851-1580 to see if you qualify, or you can just stop by without an appointment. If you are on Medicaid, you will automatically qualify. If not, it is based on income and nutritional risk.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-13228365264076807362009-09-11T14:05:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:06:49.535-05:00

No, we do not provide these exams.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-11640508751477022842009-09-11T14:04:00.000-05:002009-09-11T14:05:33.789-05:00

Your open burning permit questions about permit requirements outside the Springfield city limits can be answered by the Missouri Dept of Natural Resources Southwest Regional Office Air Pollution Control Program at 891-4300.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-76558184929547822612009-09-11T14:02:00.002-05:002009-09-11T14:05:43.064-05:00

First, do not provide what they need to live. Like all of us, they need food, water and shelter, so eliminate all those things from the environment. Don’t leave out pet food or water or anything else they could eat, keep clutter picked up, stack wood or any other thing they could hide/burrow under elevated off the ground at least 12” and keep yard mowed and brush picked up. You can trap or poison

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-71647178295108617482009-09-11T14:00:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:02:12.742-05:00

Sales of are pre-packaged items does not require an inspection or permit from the health department.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-53878440429333336022009-09-11T13:56:00.002-05:002009-09-11T13:59:25.714-05:00

Seasonal flu shots will be available beginning in early October. Visit http://www.springfieldmo.gov/health/seasonalFlu.html for a schedule of clinic dates and times. We anticipate the H1N1 vaccine will be available sometime in mid- to late October, but we don't have concrete information on when the vaccine will arrrive in Greene County at this time. We will make announcements to the public when

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-23364592518383594932009-09-11T13:54:00.000-05:002009-09-11T13:56:17.113-05:00

Seasonal flu vaccine for children typically arrives in late September or early October. When it arrives, we will announce through the media that the clinics are open, and you can either come to the Westside Public Health Center, located at 660 S Scenic to get your child a vaccination, or you can come to one of our community flu shot clinics.We typically have walk-in clinics at the Westside

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-30507053571014598282009-09-11T13:50:00.002-05:002009-09-11T13:54:07.866-05:00

Public flu shot clinics will be held on the following dates for children and adult Greene County residents considered to be at high risk for complications of seasonal influenza.October 5 (2 pm - 6 pm) at the Willard Community Center, 222 W Jackson, WillardOctober 8 (2 pm - 6 pm) at the Fair Grove City Hall, 81 Orchard Blvd, Fair GroveOctober 12 (10 am - 2 pm) at the Boys and Girls Club Stalnaker

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-32206123046089478512009-09-11T13:47:00.000-05:002009-09-11T13:49:54.544-05:00

If you found the dog on our lost and found blog, you’d need to contact the person who found the dog directly. If you have found a dog on our website www.springfieldmo.gov/health you will need to contact CARE. They pull dogs from our shelter and then adopt them to the public. Instructions can be found on our website at http://www.springfieldmo.gov/health/animal.html.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254615387634070694.post-44552851212210400982009-09-10T08:48:00.004-05:002009-09-10T08:55:13.424-05:00

Join the effort to work together to protect our families and our communities from all types of flu this fall and winter. Protect your family.Protect yourself.Protect our community.Learn more about this grassroots effort from local public health departments across Missouri and their partners, and find out what you can do to Fight the Flu at http://www.fighttheflumo.com/.

Fight the Flunoreply@blogger.com0