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Healthcare Provider Information |
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
September 15, 2006
Public health officials in multiple states, with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are investigating a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Click Here for more info.
June 1, 2006
Avian Influenza-
The situation in Indonesia is being closely followed. A cluster of deaths (8) in one family has occurred, quarantine measures have been imposed, and prophylactic Tamiflu is being administered to contacts. At present the authorities do not believe that the virus has changed genetically to increase communicability or pathogenicity for humans. Click Here for more information on Avian Influenza.
A new vaccine for influenza is in the news today but is several years from approval and general availability. It is a dry DNA preparation which is forced into the skin superficially by a compressed air "gun". Thus it hold promise but is some time away.
This website offers easy to understand information about the chances that the H5N1 virus will mutate to a form capable of human-to-human transmission. The address is: www.healthpolitics.com.
January 17, 2006
"CDC Recommends against the Use of Amantadine and Rimandatine for the Treatment or Prophylaxis of Influenza in the United States during the 2005-06 Influenza Season" because of the rapid increase of resistance to these antivirals in current influenza A isolates. Click Here for full text.
9 September 2005
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Hurricane Katrina - Medical Consequences: Victims of the hurricane are suffering from CO poisoning from improper use of motors and generators, and from infection of wounds and/or blood from Vibrio vulnificus, a common pathogen of warm sea water. Thid vibrio can be treated with doxycycline or a third generation cephalosporin such as ceftazidime. Many with chronic disease have suffered from not having access to their usual medications. School children from flooded areas evacuated to our state will be admitted to our schools with waivered immunizations as these had been already required by their previous schools, but the records will not be immediately available. Websites to keep up with the latest situation reports include: http://www.cdc.gov/od/katrina/ and http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp . Our infection control staff are following these events closely, contact us if you have any questions.
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Flu vaccine supplies seem to continue to be on track for predicted quantities and expected distribution time table.
- MMRV (ProQuad by Merck) has been approved by the FDA. This is a vaccine containing four (4) modified live virus, 0.5 cc to be given SQ, for children from age 12 months to 12 years. Availability, price and inclusion in VFC have not yet been established.
8 August 2005
Could Stimulant Medications for ADHD Increase Adult Cancer? - An FDA advisory committee reviewed data from a small study suggesting that Ritalin and Concerta could be associated with long term side effects, even cancer, but didn’t find enough evidence to warrant changes in treatment choices. Better studies will be under taken to clarify the situation. More…
Also, Cylert (pemoline), another ADHD medication , was removed from the market March 24, 2005, because of associated liver failure and death.
21 July 2005
Infectious Disease Causing Death and Disability in Indonesia, Vietnam and Angola; Avian influenza causes more human deaths, Marburg virus outbreak continues and polio reappears in areas formerly free of this disease-
Avian Influenza Alert Level remains elevated (WHO) as three deaths in an Indonesian family are reported. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, 60 cases of H5N1 viral human infections have been reported this year, with 18 deaths.
Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Angola has killed 312 persons while infecting 351. Transmission is by blood and body fluids. Endemic host is not known. No vaccine available.
Indonesia is also experiencing a resurgence of polio with 153 cases reported this Spring after having had no cases in 10 years. Angola reports their first case of polio since 2001. Intense mass immunization campaigns are in planning and/or under way.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_07_21a/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_07_21/en/index.html
April 15, 2005 A potentially dangerous strain of influenza virus (Type A/H2N2) was recently sent to laboratories across the country as part of a laboratory proficiency testing program. Our laboratory at Garrett County Memorial Hospital did not receive samples of the virus of concern, because it uses another company for proficiency testing. Laboratories receiving these samples have been contacted to destroy the samples. However, physicians and nurse practitioners are being alerted as to when to be concerned about the possibility of such an infection occurring, and what procedures to follow if there is any suspicion of such an infection. More...
March 23, 2005 - A "white-powder" incident occurred at the Garrett County District Court on Monday, March 21 at 1:00 pm. Personnel in that office opened an envelope addressed to the court that contained a threatening letter, and a small quantity of white powder. More.
January 24, 2005- Flu Shots now available without special eligibility and vaccine in ample supply. Local cases increasing. Call health department for an appointment. More…
December 17, 2004- Pertussis Death of Infant in Preston County More .