CURRENT HEALTH ISSUES

Seasonal Influenza (Flu) and Novel H1N1 Influenza: Visit our Influenza web page for more information about both of these diseases.

Meningitis: Visit our Meningitis web page for more information about the disease.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): is a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin and other infections. You can get MRSA through direct contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors that have touched infected skin.  If you or someone in your family experiences these signs and symptoms, cover the area with a bandage and contact your healthcare professional.  It is especially important to contact your healthcare professional if signs and symptoms of an MRSA skin infection are accompanied by a fever.

Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, first look like spider bites, bumps, or an infected area on the skin that may be:

• Red
• Swollen
• Painful
• Warm to the touch
• Full of pus or other drainage
• Accompanied by a fever

The best defense is good hygiene. Keep your hands clean, use a barrier like clothing or towels between you and any surfaces you share with others (like gym equipment), and shower immediately after activities that involve direct skin contact with others.

For more information visit the CDC's web page, or the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources' web page on MRSA.

Food Product Recall Information:

Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough Recall:  The FDA and the CDC investigation has concluded and no evidence of E. Coli 0157:H7 could be documented at the plant.  Production has resumed and all new cookie dough will be marked with a blue "New Batch" label on the packaging.  In addition, Nestle is including a warning about the consumption of raw cookie dough.  The CDC reports that 66% of the persons made ill during this incident were 19 years of age or younger. 

Raw food products that are intended for cooking or baking before consumption are not necessarily safe to eat before they’re cooked, such as raw cookie dough. Consumers can reduce their risk of getting sick by not eating them raw. Use safe food-handling practices when preparing such products, including following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures; washing hands, surfaces, and utensils after contact with these types of products; avoiding cross contamination; and refrigerating products properly.