Code Purple Continues in Delaware
Delaware Health and Social Services | Date Posted: Friday, February 12, 2016
With temperatures dropping into the teens or single digits across the state and wind chills below zero throughout the weekend, Code Purple locations continue to remain open in all three counties for individuals who are homeless and in need of a place of refuge.
Delaware Announces Travel-Related Positive Zika Case;Preventing Mosquito Bites is the Best Protection
Division of Public Health | Newsroom | Date Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today the state’s first Zika case in an adult female. The illness was travel-related and pregnancy is not an issue. Zika is primarily spread by mosquito bite and the individual is not considered infectious. The illness was mild, as expected, and was confirmed by a CDC blood test. To protect privacy, DPH will not be releasing additional details on this individual.
The most common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. It is not yet known how often Zika is transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. In rare cases, it also may be transmitted sexually from male to female.
The most serious threat linked to Zika is serious birth defects. There have been reports of serious birth defects in infants whose mothers contracted the virus while pregnant.
Zika: Delaware Public Health Urges Caution for all Travelers
Division of Public Health | Newsroom | Date Posted: Friday, January 29, 2016
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) endorsed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel guidelines today, including urging pregnant women to postpone travel to areas where Zika transmission is ongoing. The countries listed include but are not limited to: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama. For the complete list of Caribbean, Central and South American, and African countries impacted, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.
Delaware Health Equity Guide: Changing How we Think About Good Health
Division of Public Health | Newsroom | Date Posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Good health is more than simply a visit to the doctor. Only about 10 percent of a person’s health status is impacted by traditional medical care. Health is also directly impacted by where people live, work, play, and pray. To empower communities to address these larger environmental issues, the Division of Public Health (DPH) and members of the University of Delaware’s School of Public Policy & Administration released today the Health Equity Guide for Public Health Practitioners and Partners.
Test Your Home for Elevated Radon Levels: January is National Radon Action Month
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | Newsroom | Date Posted: Friday, January 22, 2016
January is National Radon Action Month and a perfect time to test your home for radon, the leading cause of lung cancer death for non-smokers. If elevated radon levels are found, the Division of Public Health (DPH) encourages homeowners to install a mitigation system that removes the gas from around the home’s foundation. Homeowners can call DPH for a list of trained and certified contractors at 302-744-4546 or visit: www.RadonSafeDelaware.org.
