Vermont | Portable hospitals enhance statewide public health response capabilities
Burlington | 1 Feb 2012
A new 20-bed inflatable portable hospital and a mass care trailer stockpiled with medical and mass care supplies purchased by the Vermont Department of Health was on display Jan. 30 and 31 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Jct.
Hospital and public health responders attended a two-day training session on its functions, set-up, take-down and maintenance.
Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD, Public Health Preparedness Chief Chris Bell, and Peter Coffey, interim director of Vermont Emergency Management discussed the importance of this new medical surge capacity to respond to “all-hazards” public health events and emergencies.
The hospital cost approximately $175,000 and was purchased with Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant funds awarded to the Health Department from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
There are now two portable hospitals in Vermont, including one housed at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.
“These pop-up hospitals are sophisticated – they have negative pressure capability to isolate people with highly infectious illness, and they are fully equipped to handle most medical needs,” said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. “They can be set up quickly in an emergency situation where assessment, triage and treatment can save lives, used to temporarily ease a patient overflow situation, or stand up at a large gathering of people.”
Vermont | Starting Over Strong Vermont – healing emotional wounds from the 2011 flooding
Burlington VT | 19 Jan 2012
Many Vermonters were impacted by Tropical Storm Irene when it pounded most of Vermont with up to 12 inches of rain this past August. The statewide flooding destroyed homes, farms, and businesses, closed roads, and left much property in ruin. For many, the storm also inflicted devastating emotional trauma beyond their material losses.
This less visible, personal anguish can often be overlooked by the affected individuals and their loved ones. Left unacknowledged and untreated, this kind of emotional injury can influence both the health and coping ability of disaster victims, and may even lead to long term problems.
In response to this urgent mental health concern, a new program, Starting Over Strong (SOS) Vermont, has been created to provide free short-term support for individuals, groups, and communities impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. SOS Vermont Teams conduct community and home-based outreach, door-to-door counseling, and psycho-educational services at group meetings and programs, all free of charge.
Recognizing if you or someone you know could benefit from the services provided by SOS Vermont:
Not everyone affected by the storms and floods experiences a traumatic emotional reaction. Those who do, often react in their own unique way. People may express their internal struggle in a variety of different ways even in the course of the same day.
Some typical emotional reactions may include:
-Recurring dreams or nightmares about the storms or floods
-Trouble concentrating or remembering things
-Feeling numb, withdrawn or disconnected
-Having bursts of anger or intense irritability
-Persistent physical symptoms (i.e., headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension, etc.)
-Being overprotective of your family’s safety
-Avoiding reminders of the storm or flood
-Being tearful or crying for no apparent reason
Techniques for Managing Stress and Anxiety:
Each person gets through the emotional challenges of a disaster in their own time and on their own terms. The best predictor of how a person will react to a disaster is how they have reacted to other challenges in the past, and likewise, the best strategies for coping now are those strategies that have worked well in the past.
Useful suggestions for coping with the stress and anxiety stemming from storms and flooding:
-Limit your exposure to graphic news stories
-Get accurate, timely information from credible sources
-Educate yourself about specific hazards resulting from the flood, such as mold or structural problems
-Try to maintain your normal daily routine
-Exercise, eat well, and rest
-Stay active physically and mentally
-Communicate with friends, family, and supporters
-Use spirituality and your personal beliefs
-Keep a sense of humor
-Express yourself creatively
-Talk and share your feelings with others
-Seek out and follow the advice of experts
Above all, individuals should use the coping mechanisms that are most familiar, comfortable, and effective for them. Remember that you don’t have to go it alone. It is okay to ask for help and there are services and strategies for coping with this kind of trauma.
SOS Vermont is supported by FEMA grant funding and is administered by Washington County Mental Health Services in conjunction with other designated mental health agencies and community services in the hardest hit regions of our State.
Call our Toll Free number: 1-855-767-8800. For more information contact Cathy Aikman, SOS VT Project Director, at 229-1399 or cathya@wcmhs.org
Vermont | Flu season begins with first confirmed case
Burlington | The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory has confirmed the first case of influenza this season in a person from Windsor County.
“Although the first official case is from southern Vermont, flu is inevitable this time of year and we expect to see flu in every area of the state. This serves as a reminder to take every precaution to help keep flu from spreading,” said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated.”
Flu season typically begins in December or January and may continue through April. Older adults, young children and people with underlying medical conditions are most at risk for serious illness or complications from the flu. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.
Supplies of vaccine are plentiful this season. The Health Department has already distributed more than 59,000 doses of flu vaccine for pediatric use to doctor’s offices this year through its Vaccines for Children program. In the U.S., more than 130 million doses of vaccine have been delivered. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body’s immune system to fully kick in.
“If you haven’t had the vaccine already, now’s the time,” said Dr. Chen.
Flu viruses spread mainly through droplets spread through the air when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose.
Actions that everyone can take to stay healthy and keep illness from spreading:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve every time you sneeze or cough.
- Wash your hands often and well with soap and water.
- Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
- Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home from work, school or public places when you’re sick.
Flu symptoms typically include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are symptoms that can occur but are more common among children than adults.
For questions about the flu, visit the Health Department’s website at healthvermont.gov
Vermont | Case of salmonella traced to recalled ground beef
Burlington | The Vermont Department of Health is advising of a multi-state outbreak of foodborne illness, including one case in Vermont, traced to ground beef sold at Hannaford grocery.
A Vermonter was one of 14 people who ate ground beef contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium purchased at a Hannaford store between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20.
Hannaford is recalling packages of ground beef with sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier. The products subject to recall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), are any size package of the following:
- “73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
- “75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
- “80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
- “85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
- “90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
- “80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
- “85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
- “90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
- “85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
- “90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections for people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions.
Raw meat should always be cooked to safe internal temperatures before eating. The safe internal temperature for meat such as beef is 160° F, and should be checked with a food thermometer.
Anyone who has ground beef subject to the recall in their refrigerator or freezer should throw it out. Anyone with questions about the recall can call the Hannaford Customer Information Center, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 800-213-9040, and choose option 6.
For more information on the recall visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_100_2011_Release/index.asp
Vermont | Health dept reports rise in pertussis cases
Burlington VT | The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed 26 cases of pertussis in the past six weeks, and 47 cases so far in 2011.
Since school began this fall, suspected or confirmed cases have been reported – or are under investigation – in 11 Chittenden County schools. The Health Department alerted health care providers statewide about an increase in the number of pertussis cases with advisories in November, and a statewide conference call on Dec. 6
“Pertussis is a cyclical disease and every three or four years it seems to surface again in a community,” said Susan Schoenfeld, deputy state epidemiologist for the Health Department. “While fully immunized children sometimes get pertussis, immunization remains the best protection, and we encourage everyone to be sure they are up-to-date on their immunizations.”
Pertussis, a vaccine-preventable disease commonly known as whooping cough, is highly contagious and caused by a bacterial infection of the lungs. The infection usually begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms and an irritating cough that gradually worsens to include spasms of coughing, possible whooping, short periods without breathing, or gagging or vomiting after coughing spells. Coughing usually lasts at least two weeks. Infants may have less typical symptoms such as gagging or difficulty breathing.
Serious complications from pertussis are most common among children under the age of 1, including pneumonia, encephalopathy (brain inflammation), and in rare cases, death.
Anyone who has clinical symptoms of pertussis should be evaluated by their health care provider. People with suspected or confirmed cases should be kept out of school, work, and group activities until five days of antibiotic therapy have been completed. The earlier a person – especially an infant – starts on treatment for whooping cough, the better.
The average number of cases in Vermont per year between 2008-2010 was 14. During the decade between 1997 and 2007, the average number of cases each year in Vermont was 164. The disparity could be related to the approval of a adolescent/adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) that became available in 2005, Schoenfeld said.
While pertussis immunization is the best protection against pertussis, it’s possible for fully vaccinated children to develop whooping cough, though they often have milder disease. Immunity to the disease can wane over time. The booster vaccine (Tdap) should be given to all Vermonters ages 10 and older. Anyone who has close contact with infants is strongly urged to get vaccinated.
School and child care entry laws in Vermont require multiple doses of a pertussis-containing vaccine, dependent on the age of the child. When pertussis is identified in a school, letters are often sent to parents to inform them of the illness, describe symptoms of whooping cough, and encourage parents to have children with symptoms examined by a health care provider.
The last widespread outbreak of pertussis in Vermont occurred in 1996 -1997. A total of 280 cases were identified in 1996, including 171 cases in school-aged children in 69 Vermont schools. In 1997, there were 283 cases.
Vermont | Health dept reports increase in pertussis cases
Burlington VT | The Vermont Department of Health has alerted health care providers statewide about an increase in the number of cases of pertussis, a vaccine-preventable disease commonly known as whooping cough.
Twenty-seven cases of pertussis have been confirmed in Vermont this year, including six cases in the past month. Recent confirmed cases have been reported in Chittenden, (4), Washington (1), and Bennington (1) counties, with additional probable or suspected cases in Chittenden, Addison and Windham counties.
The age range of confirmed cases is from 5 months to 67 years old.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease of the lungs caused by a bacterial infection. Anyone who has clinical symptoms of pertussis should be evaluated by their health care provider. People with suspected or confirmed cases of pertussis should be kept out of school, work, and group activities until five days of antibiotic therapy have been completed.
Household members and other close contacts of someone who has pertussis should receive antibiotics to prevent illness.
Serious complications from pertussis are most common among children under the age of 1, including pneumonia, encephalopathy (brain inflammation), and in rare cases, death.
“This is a good reminder for everyone to get vaccinated as the best defense against whooping cough, and to look for symptoms of the disease,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Susan Schoenfeld. “We are seeing a resurgence in pertussis cases in other areas of the country, and this is a real concern for public health officials nationwide.”
A total of 8,300 cases were reported in California last year, including nine deaths of infants less than 2 months old.
The last widespread outbreak of pertussis in Vermont occurred in 1996 -1997. A total of 280 cases were identified in 1996, including 171 cases in school-aged children in 69 Vermont schools. In 1997, there were 283 cases.
The earlier a person – especially an infant – starts on treatment for whooping cough, the better. The infection usually begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms and an irritating cough that gradually worsens to include possible whooping, short periods without breathing, or vomiting.
School and child care entry laws in Vermont require multiple doses of a pertussis-containing vaccine, dependent on the age of the child. When pertussis is identified in a school, letters are often sent to parents to inform them of the illness, describe symptoms of pertussis, and encourage parents to have children with symptoms examined by a health care provider.
While immunization is the best protection against pertussis, it’s possible for fully vaccinated children to develop pertussis, though they often have milder disease.
Immunity to the disease can also wane over time. The adolescent/adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) should be given to all Vermonters ages 10 and older. Anyone who has close contact with infants is strongly urged to get the Tdap vaccine.
For more information about pertussis, visit the Health Department website at healthvermont.gov.
Vermont | Stories about rural health showed innovation and resilience in the wake of Irene
Burlington VT | When floods from Irene demolished roads and isolated residents for several days, health care providers at Rochester Health Center organized a plan to get their patients needed medications.
People with working cell phones climbed the 2,800-foot mountain that divides Rochester from Randolph’s Gifford Medical Center to call in orders to clinical staff at the hospital. The prescriptions were filled and handed off to volunteers who delivered the medications back to the clinic in Rochester using ATVs (all terrain vehicles).
“Staff of rural health centers were the very communities that they were supporting,” said Teresa Voci, vice president of medicine at Gifford Medical Center. “This is the beauty of rural health care: our patients, their families and visitors appreciate the local access to care they receive, not just in disasters but always.”
Similar stories of rural health care providers responding with and for their communities have been heard all around the state. The Vermont Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health & Primary Care is collecting these stories, in words and by video, to celebrate the first-ever National Rural Health Day proclaimed by Gov. Peter Shumlin today in Montpelier.
“Health care providers in our state exemplify the “power of rural” and community connectedness,” said Gov. Shumlin. “Today we recognize the unique ability of rural health care providers – clinicians, administrators and support staff of hospitals, clinics, long-term care and home health agencies, pharmacies, EMS and first responders – to provide critical services across Vermont.”
In Barre, the People’s Health and Wellness Clinic on Main Street was hit by Irene after extensive spring flooding in May that caused more than $70,000 damage. Water soaked through sheetrock walls, wicked up into the insulation, destroyed computers, settled into unreachable concrete basins below the windows, which led to mold blooms that required extensive cleanup.
One staff nurse, one nurse practitioner, and more than 60 volunteers continued to serve patients out of a doctor’s office at Central Vermont Medical Center during three rounds of renovation and air testing to make sure their building was safe to re-occupy. The clinic has more than 1,600 visits a year.
“We had a volunteer who lives in a trailer park. Her home was wiped out, but she still came in and worked”, said Peter Youngbaer, director of the clinic. “We were scrambling to get out medications to patients in the surrounding community – people with high blood pressure who could have been hospitalized if we weren’t able to reach them. Some of us may have been wiped out, but we still came in.”
“The great flooding this year really tested rural health care providers and clinics around the state to care for their patients and their communities through thick and thin,” said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. “Despite broken roads and damaged facilities, loss of power and communications, rural health came through with a combination of caring, mutual aid, innovation, and just knowing their community.”
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