December 8, 2023

Swim advisory lifted for Fowl River

MOBILE, Ala. — A swimming advisory issued by the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) for Fowl River near Highway 193 has been lifted. This comes after the swimming advisory for Dog River near the Alba Fishing & Hunting Club was lifted on Thursday.

Recent water samples for both locations indicate bacteria values are back below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) threshold of 104 enterococcus organisms per 100 milliliters for marine water.

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management operate the bacteriological water quality monitoring and notification program under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s BEACH (Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health) Act Program. This program involves the routine collection of water samples from a total of 25 coastal recreational sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties (to see the testing locations please visit http://adem.alabama.gov/programs/coastal/BeachMonitoring.cnt).

In the summer months, samples are taken once or twice a week at the most highly used sites and biweekly at the other sites. All sites are tested once a month in the cooler months.

Samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. High counts indicate that the possibility that other disease-causing germs could be present in the water. Based on EPA’s “Criteria for Bathing (full body contact) Recreational Waters,” samples are checked for enterococcus bacteria. These indicator bacteria are inhabitants of the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Bacterial concentrations in recreational waters can increase during and immediately following rainstorms because of overflowing sewage collection and treatment facilities, storm water runoff and malfunctioning septic systems.

When monitoring results exceed the EPA standard, the affected site is immediately retested. If the results of the second test identify enterococci levels persisting above the EPA standard, the health department through the cooperative efforts of the news media will issue a public advisory.

December 7, 2023

Swim advisory lifted for Dog River, remains for Fowl River

MOBILE, Alabama — A swimming advisory issued by the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) for Dog River near the Alba Fishing & Hunting Club has been lifted. However, the swimming advisory for Fowl River near Highway 193 remains active.

Recent water samples from Dog River indicate bacteria values are back below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) threshold of 104 enterococcus organisms per 100 milliliters for marine water.

The water samples from Fowl River still exceed this threshold. The Fowl River location will be tested again in the coming days.

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management operate the bacteriological water quality monitoring and notification program under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s BEACH (Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health) Act Program. This program involves the routine collection of water samples from a total of 25 coastal recreational sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties (to see the testing locations please visit http://adem.alabama.gov/programs/coastal/BeachMonitoring.cnt).

In the summer months, samples are taken once or twice a week at the most highly used sites and biweekly at the other sites. All sites are tested once a month in the cooler months.

Samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. High counts indicate that the possibility that other disease-causing germs could be present in the water. Based on EPA’s “Criteria for Bathing (full body contact) Recreational Waters,” samples are checked for enterococcus bacteria. These indicator bacteria are inhabitants of the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Bacterial concentrations in recreational waters can increase during and immediately following rainstorms because of overflowing sewage collection and treatment facilities, storm water runoff and malfunctioning septic systems.

When monitoring results exceed the EPA standard, the affected site is immediately retested. If the results of the second test identify enterococci levels persisting above the EPA standard, the health department through the cooperative efforts of the news media will issue a public advisory.

December 6, 2023

Swim advisory issued for Dog River and Fowl River

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department advises the public that swimming water quality on Dog River near the Alba Fishing & Hunting Club and on Fowl River near Highway 193 is poor. Swimming in these areas might lead to an increased risk of illness. Recent tests at these sample sites rose above acceptable levels.

Monitoring will continue and the advisory will be lifted once bacteria values fall below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) threshold of 104 enterococcus organisms per 100 milli-liters for marine water.

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management operate the bacteriological water quality monitoring and notification program under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s BEACH (Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health) Act Program. This program involves the routine collection of water samples from a total of 25 coastal recreational sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties (to see the testing locations please visit www.adem.state.al.us/programs/coastal/BeachMonitoring.cnt).

In the summer months, samples are taken once or twice a week at the most highly used sites and biweekly at the other sites. All sites are tested once a month in the cooler months. The Dog River and Fowl River locations will be tested again in the coming days.

Samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. High counts indicate that the possibility that other disease-causing germs could be present in the water. Based on EPA’s “Criteria for Bathing (full body contact) Recreational Waters,” samples are checked for enterococcus bacteria. These indicator bacteria are inhabitants of the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Bacterial concentrations in recreational waters can increase during and immediately following rainstorms because of overflowing sewage collection and treatment facilities, storm water runoff and malfunctioning septic systems.

When monitoring results exceed the EPA standard, the affected site is immediately retested. If the results of the second test identify enterococci levels persisting above the EPA standard, the health department through the cooperative efforts of the news media will issue a public advisory.

December 1, 2023

MCHD observes World AIDS Day with Second Line Parades

MOBILE, Ala. — World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1. On this Friday, the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) and Family Health – its primary care division – celebrated in a special way.

In the past, the day was used to remember those who had passed away from the disease. Ty Tover, a peer counselor at MCHD, and Michelle Bernard, who oversees MCHD’s Ryan White Program, said this year’s observance focused on those who have survived.

Three “Second Line Parades” took place with staff and special guests — including AIDS Alabama South and Franklin Primary Health — at the Keeler Memorial Building in Downtown Mobile and along North Bayou Street. Decorated umbrellas and red scarfs were waved by those in attendance. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/cxqypcECU_I

“The Mobile County Health Department celebrates World AIDS Day in a true Mobile style,” said Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer of Mobile County. “Historically, December 1st was recognized to remember all the lives lost from HIV infections. This time from diagnosis to death, in many cases, was short, one to two years.

“Today, life expectancy following diagnosis with HIV infection has changed to decades. We have great medical treatments that nearly eradicate the infection from the individual. The treated individual has no virus detected and their immune system is better protected. This reduces the risks of developing other infections and transmitting the virus to others.”

Dr. Michaels pointed out that PrEP (pre-exposure) and PEP (post-exposure) medications allow partners to protect themselves even further than the use of abstinence techniques and condoms. However, he emphasized that condoms still remain important in prevention.

“So, staff from the Health Department, Family Health, and guests took to the street in between rain showers to celebrate a Second Line Parade and showing red in support of the day by ‘beginning the new life together’,” he said.

Dr. Michaels, Mr. Tover and Ms. Bernard all agreed people should know their status and get tested.

“HIV infections when properly treated become a chronic disease and people are living longer with the illness,” Dr. Michaels said. “If you have any questions, please contact your health care provider or the Mobile County Health Department.”

November 27, 2023

Rabies clinics planned in December 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 December across Mobile County:

• December 2, 10 a.m. to noon, Little Flower Catholic School, 2103 Government Street in Mobile
• December 9, 10 a.m. to noon, Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road in Mobile
• December 9, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Mobile County Animal Shelter, 7665 Howells Ferry Road in Mobile
• December 16, 10 a.m. to noon, Glamour Paws Grooming, 10005 Dauphin Island Parkway in Theodore

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 provided 239 vaccinations (169 dogs and 70 cats) during November.

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.

November 22, 2023

Open Enrollment for health insurance continues through December 15

MOBILE, Ala. — Approximately 4.6 million people have selected an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace plan since the 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) opened on November 1.

“This year’s Marketplace enrollment season is off to a strong start,” said Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. “At HHS, we are working nonstop to connect everyone who needs health care with coverage they can afford.

“Americans deserve the peace of mind that comes with being insured. This year, four out of five people can find a plan for $10 or less a month after subsidies on HealthCare.gov.”

The Mobile County Health Department and Family Health, its primary care division, have Certified Application Counselors ready to assist consumers in enrolling. The counselors have been trained and are able to help consumers as they look for health coverage options through the Health Insurance Exchange. They can assist consumers in completing eligibility and enrollment forms. Assistance by the Certified Application Counselors is free to consumers.

Certified Application Counselors can be found at all Family Health centers conveniently located throughout Mobile County. You may visit https://mchd.org/family-health/#locations for a list of sites or call directly at 251-445-8632 for the Patient Assistance Department.

Family Health is one of several Federally Qualified Health Centers located in Mobile County. The others include Franklin Primary Health Center, Mostellar Medical Center, and Accordia Health.

The 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2023, to December 15, 2023, for Marketplaces using the HealthCare.gov platform.

“Nearly 96 percent of HealthCare.gov consumers will be able to choose plans from at least three health insurers. And thanks to the historic Inflation Reduction Act, these lower costs and better benefits are available to more Americans,” Becerra said. “Don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for quality, affordable health care.”

Consumers who enroll by midnight on December 15 can get full-year coverage that starts January 1, 2024.