DSS News
Here is the final report related to the biomonitoring investigation to determine if GenX and other PFAS could be detected in the blood and urine of residents living near the Fayetteville Works facility. The completed report does not share any new findings related to the information released in October. It expands on the results of the investigation conducted to improve understanding of exposure to GenX and other PFAS among people living near a manufacturing facility in Bladen County, NC. The previous press release highlighted a summary of results available here and it included a generic version of the letter sent to participants.
Link to Biomonitoring Report
https://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/pfas/NCDHHS_PFAS%20Biomonitoring%20Report_8Nov2018.pdf
Link to GenX and Other PFAS Overview
https://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/a_z/genx.html
In response to Hurricane Florence, the Health Department has Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) and Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccines available to disaster survivors and emergency response workers free of charge. Call 910-259-1230 for more information.
PENDER COUNTY – Pender County Health and Human Services, department of Environmental Health, is actively spraying for mosquitoes following Hurricane Florence.
“We started spraying immediately,” said Carolyn Moser, Pender County Health and Human Services director. “We are using a larvicide that kills mosquito eggs and we are spraying to kill adult mosquitoes.”
Some counties are opting for aerial mosquito spraying. According to FEMA, counties using aerial spraying must meet specific requirements including restrictions on spraying state and federal managed areas, water bodies, rivers and streams, schools, organic farms, bee hives, and aquaculture sites.
“We value our beekeepers, organic farms, and our natural resources,” said Moser. “An aerial spray may not provide the targeted treatment Pender County needs right now.”
“A vector (aerial) spray would be costly,” said Moser. “The aerial spray may last four days, depending on weather, and it kills adult mosquitoes only. It doesn’t include larvicidal applications that kill mosquito eggs.”
Spraying by truck offers both the chemical and larvicidal applications. The chemical applications work for seven days.
The environmental health department started spraying as soon as the storm ended in accessible areas and increased the treatments as roads began to open to travel.
“We have received additional state funding to continue our program,” said Moser.
“However, residents can help control mosquitoes by ‘tip and toss’,” said Moser.
Tip and Toss is a process of tipping standing water in birdbaths, buckets, wading pools, old tires, and items where water gathers and becomes stagnant and tossing old items that you don’t need such as outdated children’s toys, old tires, and cans.”
“We’re addressing the mosquito problem,” said Moser. “We are spraying all areas of the county, four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening.”
Watch Pender County’s website at pendercountync.gov or Pender County’s Facebook page for storm recovery updates. Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.
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Disaster Food Stamp Applications will be Accepted at
Pender County Agricultural Building
801 S. Walker St.
Burgaw, NC 28425
On the following dates:
Friday, September 28th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, September 29th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 1st 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, October 2nd 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 3rd 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday, October 4th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, October 5th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, October 6th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
All current Food Stamp recipients do not need to apply, replacement benefits of 60% and supplements will be placed automatically on your EBT card. Replacement of FNS benefits will be placed on current recipients EBT card Thursday, Sept. 27
YOU’RE INVITED!
Pender County conducts a Community Health Assessment every four years to identify the health status, concerns and resources of the community as part of a strategic health planning process. Please join us to learn more about the health of your community and provide your input!
Monday, July 16th, 2018
Burgaw Public Library from 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Hampstead Public Library from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time.
These findings are in the latest Vital Signs(https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/index.html) report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is CDC’s first summary collectively examining data trends for all nationally notifiable diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea. It provides detailed information on the growing burden of mosquito-borne and tickborne illnesses in the U.S.
“Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea—have confronted the U.S. in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don’t know what will threaten Americans next,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Our Nation’s first lines of defense are state and local health departments and vector control organizations, and we must continue to enhance our investment in their ability to fight against these diseases.”
Read full article here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0501-vs-vector-borne.html
The Community Health Assessment is a door to door survey to see what residents of Pender County perceive as the biggest issues impacting health and how they view the health of the community. Help your community’s voice be heard as we prioritize and plan for a healthier tomorrow.
*Volunteers age 18 and up needed to assist with a door to door survey about improving the health of your community. Meet at the Pender County Cooperative Extension Conference room, 801 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425
Thursday, March 22nd 9:00am-12:00pm (training) and 1:00-6:00pm
Friday, March 23rd 9:00am –1:00pm and 1:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday, March 24th 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-6:00pm
Sign up with link:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0945a5ad2da2fc1-volunteers1
*Volunteers must attend training on Thursday to participate in survey. Volunteers do not need to be present all three days. Lunch will be provided. If you drive your own personal vehicle door-to-door and are not reimbursed by your employer, we will reimburse you with a gas card.
Every volunteer will receive a small thank you gift and the opportunity to win a Fitbit! For each day that you help interview your neighbors, your name will be entered into a drawing, so sign up for more days to increase your chances.
For questions, contact Pender County Health Department, Kerrie Bryant at 910-663-3762 or at kbryant@pendercountync.gov
