Rabies clinics planned in June for dogs, cats, and ferrets

June 2, 2021

Rabies clinics planned in June for dogs, cats, and 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 June in Mobile County:

  • June 5 (Saturday), 1 to 3 p.m., City of Mobile Animal Shelter, 855 Owens Street in Mobile
  • June 11 (Friday), 10 a.m. to noon, Mobile County Animal Shelter, 7665 Howell’s Ferry Road in Mobile
  • June 12 (Saturday), 10 a.m. to noon, Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road in Mobile
  • June 19 (Saturday), 10 a.m. to noon, Glamour Paws, 10005 Dauphin Island Parkway near Fowl River

In order to adhere to social distancing recommendations, these events will be drive-through clinics. 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 vaccinated 197 household pets during rabies clinics in May.

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.

In 2020, MCHD’s Rabies Officer vaccinated 1,599 household pets. To learn more about our program, visit https://mchd.org, find “Services,” find “Disease Control” and select “Rabies Control.”

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

Veggies and fruits increase provides more nutritional access to WIC families

June 1, 2021

Veggies and fruits increase provides more nutritional access to WIC families

MOBILE, Ala. — The American Rescue Plan Act has authorized Women, Infants & Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition state agencies to enhance the WIC benefit for a period of four months, expanding the vegetable and fruit voucher from $9 per month for children and $11 per month for women to $35 per month per participant.

WIC’s vegetable and fruit voucher – known as the Cash Value Benefit (CVB) – was first introduced in 2007 as part of a decades-long effort by the National WIC Association (NWA) to increase the nutritional quality of WIC-approved foods. The CVB is credited with improving the dietary quality of WIC participants and reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity among WIC toddlers.

The Mobile County Health Department WIC program will be implementing the CVB increase beginning June 1 until September 30.

Mobile County residents can find out if they are eligible for WIC by going to signupwic.com.

“With far too many families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic to afford the healthy foods that help grow healthy children, this temporary boost to the WIC benefit is an investment in our nation’s future,” said Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association. “Increased access to vegetables and fruits is a critical step toward ensuring that children have access to vital nutrients, curbing childhood obesity rates while strengthening our local farm economies. In communities across the country, WIC is ready to help as parents continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis.”

COVID-19 testing at Newburn Health Center

In an effort to better serve our community, the Mobile County Health Department’s (MCHD) COVID-19 Response Team is expanding its services at the Newburn Health Center.

Along with offering vaccine, the staff is also providing walk-in rapid testing weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Newburn Health Center is located at 248 Cox Street in Midtown Mobile, across from USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital. The facility is at the intersection of Saint Stephens Road. Testing is free to all ages. Results are provided within 15 to 30 minutes while you wait. No appointments are necessary.

The COVID-19 Response Team has already been offering first-dose and second-dose vaccine clinics at its Newburn Health Center. As with all MCHD COVID-19 events, this will follow a first-come, first-served format. No appointments will be taken.

Those coming for their second-dose booster shot should bring the CDC vaccination card that was presented to them after their primary shot. If you no longer have the card, please be prepared to wait for the MCHD staff to retrieve your information from the statewide vaccination system.

At this time, first-dose and the second-dose vaccine will be offered on this schedule: • On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the staff will have the Pfizer mRNA vaccine from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Newburn. This vaccine is authorized for those 16 years and older. • On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the staff will have the Moderna mRNA vaccine from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Newburn. This vaccine is authorized for those 18 years and older.

For those wishing to make an appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine, MCHD is now offering firstdose and second-dose Moderna vaccinations at several of its Family Health locations conveniently located throughout Mobile County. To secure a time to receive the shot, please call 251-690-8889.

Dauphin Island reports Sanitary Sewer Overflow

May 14, 2021

Dauphin Island reports Sanitary Sewer Overflow

MOBILE, Ala. — Dauphin Island Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority responded to a Sanitary Sewer Overflow on May 13. Officials say the cause started with heavy rains from the weekend leaving the ground saturated. This was followed by an overnight power failure to the entire western end of Dauphin Island. This led to the failure of one of the power phases. An overflow occurred at the 2600 block of Bridgeview Drive. An estimated 250 gallons got into the Mississippi Sound. Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer for Mobile County, advises area residents to take precautions when coming into contact with any standing water that may have accumulated as a result of this overflow. Those who have come into direct contact with untreated sewage are advised to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly. Area residents should take precautions when using the Mississippi Sound for recreational purposes because of this overflow. All seafood harvested in this general area should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People should wash hands after cleaning seafood and before preparing food.

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Prichard reports Sanitary Sewer Overflows caused by heavy rains

May 13, 2021

Prichard reports Sanitary Sewer Overflows caused by heavy rains

MOBILE, Ala. — Prichard Water Works & Sewer responded to numerous Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) caused by heavy rains on May 12 and May 13. The nearest manhole locations, estimated amounts and receiving waters are listed below:

Location Estimated Gallons Receiving Water 
351 W. Highland Ave.more than 1,000/less than 10,000Gum Tree Branch
2408 Whistler Ave.more than 100,000/less than 250,000Gum Tree Branch
211 Patricia Ave.more than 250,000/less than 500,000Gum Tree Branch
Prichard Ave. @ Newsomemore than 25,000/less than 50,000Toulmins Spring
St. 705 Sample St.more than 100,000/less than 250,000Branch Toulmins
823 College St.more than 250,000/less than 500,000Spring Branch

An overflow at the intersection of Chin Street and Butts Street was still occurring as of 10 a.m.

Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer for Mobile County, advises area residents to take precautions when coming into contact with any standing water that may have accumulated as a result of these overflows. Those who have come into direct contact with untreated sewage are advised to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly.

Area residents should take precautions when using Gum Tree Branch, Toulmins Spring Branch and Chickasaw Creek for recreational purposes because of these overflows. All seafood harvested in this general area should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People should wash hands after cleaning seafood and before preparing food.

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