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Update on Tropical Storm Fay
The State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated at level 1 status. Department of Health employees across the state are working around the clock to monitor the storm as it travels across Florida and are making preparations to assist as needed. For up-to-date information on the storm and hurricane preparedness, please visit www.floridadisaster.org. You can also find helpful tips and information on how to prepare your family for a hurricane at our Family Preparedness Guide. The guide is available in * English, * * Spanish * and * Creole. * (08/20/08) Information on Salmonella Outbreak in Tomatoes Across the US * Information on Salmonella Outbreak in Tomatoes Across the US * (07/21/08) Family Preparedness Guide The Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities have created a new Family Preparedness Guide for Florida residents and visitors just in time for hurricane season. The guide provides information on developing a personal preparedness plan with special consideration for those with disabilities. The guide is available in * English, * * Spanish * and * Creole. * (06/12/08) School-aged Child and Adolescent Profile Released Just released! The School-aged Child and Adolescent Profile provides a county-level overview of the wellbeing of Florida’s youth including high risk behaviors, injuries and violence, social-emotional development, school and social environment, and access to care. The Profile was developed in collaboration with the Florida Departments of Education, Juvenile Justice, Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration. (05/19/08) (School-aged Child and Adolescent Profile) Department of Health Stresses Importance of Hygiene The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today reminds Floridians of the importance of proper hygiene to prevent the spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the common cold, influenza and a number of other infections. Research published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) estimates that there are more than 94,000 MRSA infections and 18,000 deaths in the USA each year. MRSA no longer appears solely in healthcare settings, it is becoming more common in the community since its appearance in the 1960’s. (10/19/07) (MRSA Facts) 2006 Vital Statistics Data Now Available Online 2006 Vital Statistics data is now available on FloridaCHARTS.com. This new data includes births, deaths and fetal and infant deaths. Other data sets which have been updated include population estimates, cancer incidence, and communicable disease morbidity. Amoebic Encephalitis Advisory Florida Department of Health Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H., today issued a medical advisory for all freshwater swimming areas in the state of Florida. Two probable human cases of Amoebic Encephalitis have been identified in Central Florida residents since August, and there is a heightened concern that additional residents may become ill. The most recent case resulted in the death of a Florida child. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures and hallucinations. The public is urged to contact a medical professional immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms. (09/05/07) (read press release...) CDC Reminds Contact Users to Check Medicine Cabinets Multiple cases of infection caused by Acanthamoeba, including 21 culture confirmed cases in Florida, have occurred since the FDA announced its recall of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Contact Lens Solution. The Florida Department of Health today renews its call for Floridians to check their medicine cabinets and adhere to the FDA recall of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Contact Lens Solution. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company at 1-888-899-9183 or on the AMO Web site * http://www.amo-inc.com/download/pr-cmp.pdf * for instructions on what to do with unused solution. Consumers should also discard all soft lenses and cases used with the solution. For more information about the recall visit the CDC’s Acanthamoeba Web site * http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/acanthamoeba/2007outbreak_fieldepi_ak.htm. * (07/31/07) FDA Warning About Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry's Food Products and Dog Food The Florida Department of Health, in partnership with the FDA, is warning Floridians not to eat certain types of canned food products or serve certain dog food produced by Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta, Ga., due to possible botulism contamination. This is a precautionary warning as no illnesses have been reported in Florida. However, botulism is a serious illness and can be fatal. Consumers should immediately visit * http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html * for product names and more information. (07/26/07) FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an * import alert * to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States. (06/28/07) Florida Department of Health Offers Public Health Recommendations Regarding Wildfire Smoke Due to the recent wildfires affecting the state, the Florida Department of Health is providing health recommendations to citizens impacted by wildfire smoke. Smoke is a respiratory irritant, and can cause a scratchy throat, and/or irritated eyes and nose. Smoke may also worsen conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions. * Wildfire Recommendations * and * Wildfire Smoke FAQ * (05/09/07) FDA Issues Safety Alert on Avandia The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Safety Alert on Avandia, a drug approved to treat type 2 diabetes, on Monday, May 21. Safety data from controlled clinical trials have shown that there is a potentially significant increase in the risk of heart attack and heart-related deaths in patients taking Avandia, a drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. To view the complete Safety Alert visit * www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01636.html. * (05/24/07) Public Health Alert: Florida Department of Health Issues Notice of Change in Treatment of Gonorrhea The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is no longer recommending the use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of gonorrhea. This is the fourth class of drugs to which the bacteria has successfully developed resistance. The CDC now recommends only one class of antibiotics, cephalosporins for the treatment of all classes of gonorrhea infections. For the CDC's report on treatment guidelines, or for more information, please click on the following links: * MMWR update of CDC's Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines * Bureau of STD Website. * (4/13/07) FDA Warns Consumers about Counterfeit Drugs from Multiple Internet Sellers The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning U.S. consumers about dangers associated with buying prescription drugs over the Internet. This alert is being issued based on information the agency received showing that 24 apparently related Web sites may be involved in the distribution of counterfeit prescription drugs. * FDA Press Release * (05/01/07) Important Information Regarding Hurricanes Important public health information is available to help the public prepare for * hurricanes. * Also available is a * facts sheet * to assist with decisions before, during, and after a hurricane. In an effort to get important Public Health information out to individuals who could be affected by Hurricanes, the Department of Health has issued several DOH Information Fact Sheets regarding health risks. Please feel free to utilize this information in your community. Additional information is available by calling the Florida Emergency Information Line at 1-800-342-3557. (09/12/06) Guide to the Florida Practitioner Profile Now Available The guide provides a better understanding of the profile information for all medical doctors, osteopathic, chiropractic and podiatric physicians, and advanced registered nurse practitioners licensed in Florida. It clarifies what information is included, whether it is optional or mandatory, the source of the information, and what information is verified. For more information visit the * MQA Website. * (03/17/05) |
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