Rabid Raccoon Found In North Stonington: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents Rabid Raccoon Found In North Stonington: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents
Rabid Raccoon Found In North Stonington: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents A week after a fox tested positive, a raccoon in Connecticut also tested positive for the fatal virus and experts are warning caution around unfamiliar animals and extra protection for pets.  The Ledge Light Health District announced on Monday, Dec. 9, that the stray animal had tested positive for rabies in North Stonington. Related: Rabid Coyote Attacks Three Workers in Wallingford Last Week Rabies spreads through an infected animal's saliva, usually via bites or scratches, according to the Ledge Light Health District in a Facebook post. It can also be transmitted when infecte…
COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts
Covid-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts With respiratory illness season underway, the New York State Department of Health is actively urging residents aged 6 months and older to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine.  This recommendation aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent update, which emphasizes the importance of a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine for older adults and those at higher risk. The CDC now advises that adults aged 65 and older, along with individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, should receive a second dose six months after their initial vaccination. This u…
Sun River Health Expert Explains Sexual Health & STIs Sun River Health Expert Explains Sexual Health & STIs
Sun River Health Expert Explains Sexual Health & STIs Why is it important to talk about sexual health? Sexual health is an important part of everyone’s health and wellbeing. Many people are wary of talking about sexual health with their primary care provider, but at Sun River Health, we strive to normalize the conversation. Our goal is to increase sexual health literacy, promote engagement, and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to be in the best health. Sexual health care should be tailored to the individual patient’s needs in order to provide equitable and culturally sensitive care. The benefits of taking care of your sexual health …
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
Family Dog Kills Rabid Skunk In Gloucester Township, Health Officials Say Family Dog Kills Rabid Skunk In Gloucester Township, Health Officials Say
Family Dog Kills Rabid Skunk In Gloucester Township, Health Officials Say A family dog was being monitored after killing a rabid skunk in a Gloucester Township backyard, officials said. The Camden County Health Department announced the skunk tested positive for the disease in a news release on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Health officials said the dog "recently" killed a skunk in their owners' backyard. A Gloucester Township animal control officer picked up the skunk and brought it for testing at the state Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton. PHEL notified the county's health department on October 9 that the skunk tested posit…
Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online
Free Covid-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online The Department of Health and Human Services will soon restart its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail. Every American household may order four nasal swab tests starting by the end of September by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov. Both standard and more accessible COVID-19 tests will be available, while supplies last. The department did not announce what specific day and date requests will start to be processed. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula to more closely target cu…
Dog Who Encountered Rabid Skunk Quarantining In Gloucester Township Dog Who Encountered Rabid Skunk Quarantining In Gloucester Township
Dog Who Encountered Rabid Skunk Quarantining In Gloucester Township An encounter with a rabid skunk has one South Jersey dog quarantining. An animal control officer responded to a Collingswood home on Thursday, Sept. 5, after a homeowner reported a skunk found in the backyard with the family dog, Camden County officials said in a release this week. Four days later, officials learned that the skunk had tested positive for rabies. "Rabies vaccination records for the dog were obtained and the dog received a rabies booster vaccine and will be under confinement and observation for 45 days," officials said. Officials urged residents to keep pet vaccination…
Sun River Health Doctor Discusses Hepatitis A, B, C Sun River Health Doctor Discusses Hepatitis A, B, C
Sun River Health Doctor Discusses Hepatitis A, B, C Hepatitis is a general term used to describe liver inflammation that occurs for different reasons, including infections, toxin-related damage from drugs and alcohol, genetic disorders, or a dysfunctional immune system. The most common types of hepatitis are known as hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis infections need to be diagnosed, monitored, and treated. Viral hepatitis could result in serious liver damage. Fortunately, blood tests can quickly determine if you have a viral infection. What are the symptoms of hepatitis? Symptoms during the early part of infection can be mild and vague. Som…
Free Vaccine Clinics For Students To Be Held In White Plains, Yonkers: Here's Where: Free Vaccine Clinics For Students To Be Held In White Plains, Yonkers: Here's Where:
Free Vaccine Clinics For Students To Be Held In White Plains, Yonkers: Here's Where: As the new school year approaches, Westchester health officials will be hosting free vaccine clinics to help children receive their required shots.  The immunizations will be offered to children eligible for New York State's Vaccines for Children program at clinics hosted by the Westchester County Department of Health in Yonkers and White Plains, county officials announced.  The clinics, which will be held between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., include: Mondays in the White Plains clinic at 134 Court St.; Thursdays and Fridays in the Yonkers clinic at 20 South Broadway.&nb…
FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available
FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved new COVID-19 vaccines.It marks the third time the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to match circulating strains since the original shot. The shots should be available within days, the FDA said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. “Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 preventi…
Horse Dies In Newburgh From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes Horse Dies In Newburgh From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes
Horse Dies In Newburgh From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes A horse has died in the region from a rare brain disease spread by mosquitoes that can also infect people. The Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) reports a horse in the town of Newburgh died late last week of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).  The diagnosis was confirmed in test results released by the New York State Department of Health. Officials said the horse had not been vaccinated for EEE and did not travel outside the County. EEE is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection spread by mosquitoes. It can infect people and horses.  It causes encephalit…
Rabid Skunk Found In Camden County Rabid Skunk Found In Camden County
Rabid Skunk Found In Camden County A skunk removed from a neighborhood in Gloucester Township has tested positive for rabies, authorities said. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, a Gloucester Township resident observed their dogs with a skunk in their neighborhood.  The Animal Control Officer for Gloucester Township picked up the animal and it was submitted for rabies testing at the state Public Health & Environmental Laboratories in Trenton (PHEL). There were no human exposures observed. The only exposures were the dogs. The Camden County Health Department was notified this week by the DHSS that the animal was rabid. The dogs …