October 3, 2023

Rabies clinics planned in October for dogs, cats, ferrets

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department provides low-cost rabies shots for dogs, cats, and ferrets that are good for one year during weekend clinics. Here is a list of the rabies clinics planned during Saturdays in October across Mobile County:

• October 7, 10 a.m. to noon, Little Flower Catholic School, 2103 Government Street in Mobile
• October 14, 10 a.m. to noon, Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road in Mobile
• October 14, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Mobile County Animal Shelter, 7665 Howells Ferry Road in Mobile
• October 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Saint Elmo Feed & Seed Store, 9001 Highway 90 West
• October 28, 10 a.m. to noon, Kuddles-N-Kisses Connection, 11120 Meadow Lark Road in Grand Bay

These events will be drive-through clinics. The cost of the rabies vaccine per pet is $12. All rabies shots are payable in cash.

There is another rabies clinic scheduled for October 7 at the City of Prichard Animal Shelter (2402 West Rebel Road). It will be from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost of the rabies vaccine per pet is $12. All rabies shots are payable in cash.

Each month, MCHD’s Rabies Officer provides residents with low-cost vaccines for their pet dogs, cats, and ferrets at a variety of locations. The state of Alabama tasks local health departments with providing affordable rabies vaccinations to pet owners. MCHD’s Rabies Officer provided 271 vaccinations (238 dogs and 33 cats) during September.

Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to humans and is fatal once symptoms appear. Symptoms of rabies include unusual behavior, irritability, headache, fever, inability to eat or drink, balance problems, circling, seizures, coma, and, finally, death. All warm-blooded mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies.

MCHD’s Rabies Officer vaccinated 1,537 household pets (1,247 dogs and 290 cats) in 2022. To learn more about our program, visit https://mchd.org/disease-control/#rabies.

A Rabies Quarantine Fact Sheet is available through the Alabama Department of Public Health at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/assets/rabiesquarantinefactsheet.pdf.

September 29, 2023

West Nile Virus detected in sentinel chickens

MOBILE, Ala. – Sentinel chickens used by the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) to detect mosquito-borne diseases in the community have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).

WNV has been confirmed by laboratory results, according to Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. One coop was located in the 36582 ZIP Code area, while the other coop was located in the 36587 ZIP Code area. This surveillance data, consisting of the positive coops, mosquito collection results, community complaints, and positive human cases, guide us on our targeted mosquito control efforts.

Humans with WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases often have symptoms of high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation, and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention.

The risk of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes is highest from August through the first freeze in the fall. MCHD’s Vector Services will increase spraying and conduct door-to-door surveys in the immediate areas. Inspectors will also attempt to trap adult mosquitoes and test them for the presence of WNV.

Blood is drawn from the sentinel chickens every Monday by Vector Services, and the samples are sent to a lab in Tampa, Fla. The results of the tests are made available later in the week.

Health officials warn that it is extremely important that people taking part in outdoor activities make every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes. Recommendations include:

• Use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellent with DEET.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Stay and sleep in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.
• Remove standing water around your home.

WNV is transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird during the transmission cycle. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal, such as a human or a horse.

Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by personal mosquito avoidance and the use of a WNV vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans.

Since 1985, MCHD’s Vector Services has monitored encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks strategically placed in 13 coops throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes also are trapped and tested for WNV, EEE, and St. Louis Encephalitis.

To report an issue with mosquitoes, call Vector Services at 251-690-8124. To learn more about the department, you may visit https://mchd.org/vector-control. From there, you can find a link and a QR code to access the new online portal to order services for mosquitoes and rodents.

October 2, 2023

MCHD observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

MOBILE, Ala. — Since 1985, October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time annually devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Each year in the United States, about 264,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.

Screenings take place daily at all locations for Family Health, the primary care division of the Mobile County Health Department. In observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness, special celebrations are planned at these locations:

• October 25 – North Mobile Health Center (950 Coy Smith Highway in Mount Vernon),
• October 26 – Downtown Health Center (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile), Women’s Health Center (248 Cox Street in Mobile), Southwest Mobile Health Center (5580 Inn Road in Mobile), Dauphin Island Parkway Health Center (2601 Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile), Citronelle Health Center (19250 North Mobile Street), Semmes Health Center (3810 Wulff Road East),
• October 27 – Mobile Medical Unit II at the Thomas Sullivan Community Center (351 North Catherine Street in Mobile from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

Family Health has been a longtime participant in the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP). This program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for women who meet eligibility guidelines. Free services include a pelvic exam, pap smear, clinical breast exam, mammogram, and diagnostic services such as an ultrasound, colposcopy, or biopsy, if needed. To learn more visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/bandc.

To make an appointment with a Family Health provider, please call 251-690-8889. To learn more about services, please visit https://mchd.org/family-health.

September 27, 2023

Community takes part in Health Assessment Community Conversation

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department’s Health Equity Office (HEO) joined the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Monday to host a State Health Assessment Community Conversation. The event was in the Ben May Main Library’s Bernheim Hall in Downtown Mobile.

“I think it was a successful event,” said Lois Gwinn, who oversees the HEO program. “We had approximately 30 attendees from across Mobile County. Residents came from north Mobile County, the MOWA Choctaw Indians, and south Mobile County from Bayou La Batre.

“There was representation from interested citizens, community organizations, and healthcare agencies. The meeting was indeed a conversation with rich and passionate discussions around access to health care and the social determinants of health.”

Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer of Mobile County, welcomed the attendees and provided vital input on the community’s needs.

The 2023 Community Health Issues Survey is part of the State Health Assessment that ADPH utilizes to identify health issues and challenges on the county and community levels. Previously, in 2019, the survey was used to identify 14 top health concerns for Alabama. From this information, ADPH can better serve based on the highest needs.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. All responses will need to be completed by Nov. 30. For more information on the Community Health Issues Survey, visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/healthrankings/community.html.

“We encourage Mobile County residents who are 18-plus to take the State Health Assessment survey,” Ms. Gwinn said. “It should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your input is needed to help identify future health care priorities.”

In 2021, the HEO was established to address health disparities in Mobile County. The HEO team is responsible for evaluating internal and external programs and policies, identifying weaknesses, and laying a foundation for serving vulnerable communities through a health equity lens.

Ms. Gwinn spoke with WALA about the survey. You may see the interview at this link — https://www.fox10tv.com/2023/09/25/mobile-county-alabama-health-departments-hosting-state-health-assessment-community-conversation.

September 25, 2023

West Nile Virus detected in sentinel chickens

MOBILE, Ala. – Sentinel chickens used by the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) to detect mosquito-borne diseases in the community have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).

WNV has been confirmed by laboratory results, according to Dr. Kevin P. Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. One coop was located in the 36582 ZIP Code area, while the other coop was located in the 36528 ZIP Code area.

Humans with WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases often have symptoms of high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation, and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention.

The risk of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes is highest from August through the first freeze in the fall. MCHD’s Vector Services will increase spraying and conduct door-to-door surveys in the immediate areas. Inspectors will also attempt to trap adult mosquitoes and test them for the presence of WNV.

Blood is drawn from the sentinel chickens every Monday by Vector Services, and the samples are sent to a lab in Tampa, Fla. The results of the tests are made available later in the week.

Health officials warn that it is extremely important that people taking part in outdoor activities make every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes. Recommendations include:
• Use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellent with DEET.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Stay and sleep in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.
• Remove standing water around your home.

WNV is transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird during the transmission cycle. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal, such as a human or a horse.

Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by personal mosquito avoidance and the use of a WNV vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans.

Since 1985, MCHD’s Vector Services has monitored encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks strategically placed in 13 coops throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes also are trapped and tested for WNV, EEE, and St. Louis Encephalitis.

To report an issue with mosquitoes, call Vector Services at 251-690-8124. To learn more about the department, you may visit https://mchd.org/vector-control. From there, you can find a link and a QR code to access the new online portal to order services for mosquitoes and rodents.

September 25, 2023

COVID-19 self-test kits available to households

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department will cease COVID-19 operations at the Festival Centre location (3725 Airport Boulevard, Suite 101-A, in Mobile) on Friday. However, starting today households will again be able to order four free tests through the https://www.covid.gov/tests website.

These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Individuals are encouraged to use the free tests immediately to prepare for travel and gatherings with friends and family throughout the 2023 holiday season.

Before you throw out “expired” tests, please check with the Food and Drug Administration at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.

“Everyone can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine from their local provider or pharmacy,” said Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “And anyone who is high-risk and hasn’t already received the latest vaccine should do so as soon as possible to allow greater time to pass between receiving the current and new versions of the vaccine. It is the safest way to protect yourself, family, and friends from severe disease and hospitalization.”

The https://www.vaccines.gov/ website is an excellent resource for searching for available vaccines nearest your location. Current patients with Family Health – the primary care division of MCHD – may call 251-690-8889 to learn about the availability of the new COVID-19 vaccines.

September 21, 2023

WIC program receives funding to increase participation

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department has been awarded a $432,638 grant to implement a WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (WIC CIAO) Project. This award is supported by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It aims to support efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative outreach strategies to increase awareness, participation, and benefit redemption in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and reduce disparities in program delivery.

“Too many women and children in Alabama are missing out on the nutrition they need in order to thrive,” said Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “We are proud to be part of this critical initiative to identify new ways of connecting people to WIC.”

MCHD was selected through a highly competitive grant process. The WIC CIAO project aims to expand partnerships with community organizations and use community-level data to develop and implement innovative WIC outreach efforts. The MCHD project seeks to improve retention of WIC families after infants turn 1-year-old and increase WIC enrollment, prioritizing Black and Latino families in Mobile County.

MCHD will focus on partnerships with health clinics and providers, establishing new relationships and strengthening existing ones through online referral forms and improved outreach materials.

MCHD will work with the University of South Alabama’s Anthropology Department to plan and hold six culturally responsive focus groups to understand barriers to participation, utilization of benefits, and ways to retain more families. Focus groups will be tailored to meet the needs of the priority populations and interviewers, and materials will be available in the primary language of participants.

Lessons learned from the project will inform other long-standing WIC agencies’ efforts to use community data to reimagine promotion and outreach strategies for underserved populations.

In 2020, only 50 percent of all eligible individuals nationwide participated in WIC, equating to a shortfall of almost 6 million individuals. The WIC CIAO Project aims to change that by expanding partnerships with community organizations and using community-level data to develop and implement innovative WIC outreach efforts.

MCHD’s Office of Nutrition Services manages the local WIC program. A monthly average of 10,546 participants received WIC food instruments during the Fiscal Year 2022. To qualify for WIC, a person must meet income guidelines, be a resident of Alabama, and have been seen by a health professional at the WIC clinic. For more information, visit https://mchd.org/wic or call 251-690-8829.

Additional information on WIC is available from the MCHD mobile app. You can find the referral form link under the “More tab” or visit the following link to download the app – https://apps.myocv.com/share/a65536603.