Delaware Celebrates Health for All on One Health Day and Every Day

To recognize the interconnectedness between the health of people, animals and the environment we share, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) celebrates One Health Day on November 3, 2023. Today, we are awakening to the fact that without open discussions and mutual understanding, we are unable to solve issues such as climate change, pandemics and food insecurity. According to DPH, the One Health approach helps us work together towards a common goal: preserving tomorrow starting today.   

In the United States and around the world, One Health is gaining popularity as an effective way to combat zoonotic diseases and other health issues. By involving experts from human, animal, environmental and other relevant disciplines and sectors, the CDC monitors and controls public health threats and learns about how diseases spread among humans, animals, plants and the environment. Efforts to improve public health require the cooperation of partners from the fields of animal, human and environmental health. The interaction between animals, humans and the environment cannot be handled by one person, organization or sector alone.   

After the Ebola crisis in Africa and the Avian Influenza outbreak in the U.S. in 2014, Delaware began embracing the One Health concept. During this time, One Health was called a “New Beginning.” A number of health concerns are shared by people, animals and the environment, including emerging, re-emerging, and endemic diseases, neglected tropical diseases, vector-borne diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, food security, environmental contamination and climate change.    

“Animals also share our susceptibility to some diseases and environmental hazards,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Doug Riley. “Because of this, they can sometimes serve as early warning signs of potential human illness. For example, birds often die of West Nile Virus before people in the same area get sick with West Nile Virus infection.”   

There are a number of areas that One Health can address in Delaware, including:   

  • Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs can quickly spread in communities, food supply, healthcare facilities, and the environment, such as in soil or water.  
  • Warmer temperatures and more mosquito and tick habitats are causing vector-borne diseases to rise.  
  • Animal diseases threaten supplies, livelihoods and economies.  
  • Animals can help improve mental well-being.  
  • People and animals may become sick from contaminated water used for drinking, recreation and other purposes.  

Collaboration across all sectors allows a One Health approach to achieve the best health outcomes across people, animals and plants through:   

  • Preventing outbreaks of zoonotic disease in animals and people    
  • Improving food safety and security   
  • Reducing antimicrobial-resistant infections and improve human and animal health  
  • Protecting global health security  
  • Protecting biodiversity and conservation  

“We must embrace the reality that we are all interdependent and that our home, Mother Earth, needs to be cared for and nurtured,” said Riley. “By promoting collaboration across all sectors, a One Health approach can achieve the best health outcomes for people, animals and plants in a shared environment.”   

For more information about One Health initiatives, visit: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html  or call 302-744-4990.   

Treat Yourself to a Healthy and Safe Halloween

Halloween is hauntingly around the corner. While it is known for its fun, costumes and candy, Halloween can also be a little scary for parents and pet owners – but it doesn’t have to be! The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) offers health and safety tips for a safe and fun celebration this Halloween.

“Creep” It Healthy with These Treats

Halloween can be a fun and exciting holiday for people of all ages, but it can also be difficult to stay on track with healthy eating habits. To help satisfy a child’s sweet tooth, consider opting for healthier and commercially wrapped alternatives such as:

  • Mini bags of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, raisins, grapes, carrots, or celery.
  • Mini bags of dried fruit or vegetable “chips.”
  • Squeeze fruit, fruit chews, or fruit rolls.
  • Mini bags of trail mix made with whole grain cereals.
  • Peanut butter in single-serve containers.
  • Individually packaged granola, cereal, soy, yogurt, and fig bars.
  • Mini bags of pretzels, animal crackers, mini rice cereal or granola bars, or whole grain cheddar cheese crackers.
  • Small bottles of water.
  • If candy is served, choose bite-size candy bars that are lower in fat and sugar.
  • Non-food treats like pencils, crayons, glow sticks, or bottles of bubbles.

Remember: Whether it’s candy or a healthy sweet snack like fruit, after the snacking is done, grab your toothpaste and toothbrush. Moderation is also key when it comes to indulging in Halloween treats. You can still enjoy the occasional candy or cookie but try to limit your intake and practice portion control.

Stay Safe with These Tricks

As fun as Halloween can be, there are some traditions that can be a bit dangerous as well. For the safety of all Halloween participants, follow these tips:

  • Parents should walk with their children when trick-or-treating and stick to familiar neighborhoods. Do not let them go alone. Teach children never to go into strangers’ homes or cars. In case young children become lost, put a nametag with two phone numbers on their costumes. Children should know their home phone number and how to call 911.
  • Choose light-colored costumes that are labeled “flame-retardant,” meaning the material will not burn. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since costume masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible. Make sure all costumes are appropriately sized to reduce trip and fall hazards.
  • At home, turn on outside lights and remove any tripping hazards.
  • Walk on well-lit sidewalks and driveways with flashlights. Use crosswalks and never assume that vehicles will stop for pedestrians. Insist that trick-or-treaters walk, not run or ride bicycles at night.
  • Teens and adult drivers should learn what day and time your city/town is holding trick-or-treating hours and be especially alert for children during these times.
  • Avoid candles and other flames.
  • Stay away from unknown or unattended pets.
  • Before eating any candy or treats, inspect them carefully to ensure they are safe to consume. Discard treats that are unsealed, have holes in the packages, are spoiled, or are homemade treats that were not made by someone you know. To prevent choking, do not allow young children to have hard candy or gum.

Finally, let’s not forget Halloween safety for our pets: Halloween can be stressful for pets. Doorbells ringing and strangers coming to their doors make some pets very anxious. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours.

  • Candy can cause illnesses, vomiting and diarrhea in pets. Make sure you keep candy in a safe place out of your pets’ reach. Don’t let your children “share” their Halloween treats (especially chocolate) with the family pet.
  • Pet costumes are cute, but make sure it’s a good fit for your animal. Make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. If you put it on and your pet seems overly anxious, then it’s best to let them be their glorious selves.
  • Make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag) in case it escapes through the open door while you’re distracted with trick-or-treaters.
  • Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach of pets.

DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for Delaware is October 28th

Delaware will hold its 25th National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sharps disposals for needle disposal will be available at select locations, as well as overdose response education with free Narcan available at select locations. 

Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by the Division of Public Health (DPH). The twice-a-year event is aimed at reducing the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in 114,470 pounds of medication being collected in Delaware since 2010. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity in the effort to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse, or divert them and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses. 

Help reduce the risk of having unused prescription drugs in the house by participating in this free event. Addiction can begin with easy access to prescription medications in the homes of someone they know. Many misused prescription drugs are obtained from family or friends.  

A total of 4,200 pounds of unneeded medication were collected at 23 Delaware locations on October 29, 2022.   

In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are permanent medicine drop-off locations available year-round. In addition to medicine drop-off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute Deterra bags (medication deactivation bags) to use at home.  

The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag, with personal information removed. Liquid medications must be in their original containers. Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected if the batteries are removed. Twenty (20) locations in Delaware are currently participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event. You can find the current list of locations here: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday. 

Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the Laurel, Milton, Middletown and Wilmington police departments. The used needle disposal containers are only for the public and not commercial entities. Individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. Outside of healthcare facilities, an estimated 7.8 billion injections occur a year according to solid waste and recycling organization Waste 360. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated Sharps disposal container which is delivered to incinerators to avoid accidental exposure. 

To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, six of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back locations (Wilmington, New Castle, Middletown, Dover, Milford, and Laurel Police Departments) will also offer Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription for opioids or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community trainings and where to get free Narcan, visit: https://www.helpisherede.com/addiction/prevention 

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com. 

DHSS Announces Launch of New Help Is Here Delaware Website

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in a coordinated effort with fellow government agencies, community partners, and Delaware residents, today announced the launch of the new, redesigned, and revamped HelpIsHereDE.com, available in English and Spanish.

Designed after months of listening sessions and focus groups, the new HelpIsHereDE.com is the state’s comprehensive resource for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness, along with their family members, community organizations, and health care providers.

“Today, we are excited to share the revamped HelpIsHereDE.com website,” said Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN, and Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium. “Delaware’s a small state, but that means we are uniquely poised to bring people together to get things done. The behavioral health and substance use crisis impacts all of us – regardless of Zip code, background, experiences – and we need to continue to address it with urgency and action. Connecting Delawareans to resources is critical and that is exactly what this redesigned website will do. I encourage you to take time to review this website and share the information with your audiences, members, friends, and loved ones. Together, we can provide hope and help to families and communities.”

This year, Delaware is yet again experiencing a high number of drug overdose deaths. As of Sept. 21, 2023, a total of 360 people have died from a suspected drug overdose.

“This new and improved website is the result of months of listening sessions with community members, support groups, and substance use professionals,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Josette Manning. “Through these focus-group sessions and one-on-one interviews, we heard what was needed, and we developed a website with those needs and concerns at the forefront.”

In addition to an easy-to-navigate design, the new website offers comprehensive resources for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness — for themselves or those they love. This includes lists of treatment providers and facilities, with information on where to find an open bed nearby. There is also free and easy access to Narcan®, a lifesaving over-the-counter drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, along with training on how to use it.

“Creating this website was a joint effort,” Secretary Manning said. “And now we need a continued joint effort to ensure anyone in Delaware who is struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, as well as their loved ones, is aware of this potentially lifesaving resource.”

Find updated data on suspected drug overdose deaths at My Healthy Community.

Flu Season Now Underway; Get Vaccinated Today

As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) marks the start of 2023-2024 influenza (flu) season. Infection with flu can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes even death.  As a possible signal of what we might expect, the U.S. often looks at what Australia and New Zealand experienced in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in our summer.  This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.  As the spread of RSV and COVID-19 variants continue, and the possibility that an active flu season is ahead, the DPH recommends Delaware residents get their flu vaccines as soon as possible.

Each year, everyone who is 6 months of age or older should receive a flu vaccination. It is strongly recommended that children under the age of five, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic underlying medical conditions get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Additionally, DPH emphasizes vaccination for those who live or work with infants under six months of age, as well as for those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities.

Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were recently rolled out in response to the emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus. DPH wants to let the public know that both the flu and COVID-19 booster shots can be safely administered together. The RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years of age and older, and it can be combined with flu and COVID-19 vaccines. However, the CDC recommends discussing RSV vaccination with your primary care provider to determine if it is appropriate for you and your medical situation. As with COVID-19, DPH will make flu data available on its My Healthy Community data portal on October 10. 

“COVID-19, influenza and RSV are all hitting at the same time this year, making it challenging for everyone,” said DPH Medical Director Dr. Robert Rosenbaum. “Don’t wait until you’re infected with one of these diseases; get vaccinated as soon as possible. The flu is contagious and can cause serious illness and even death, but a flu vaccine can reduce your chance of ending up in the hospital. Getting the flu shot every year is the best line of defense to prevent severe illness from the flu.”

As antibodies against influenza virus infection can take up to two weeks to develop in the body after vaccination, it is vital to get vaccinated as soon as possible. People who get the flu vaccine now will also be protected throughout the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.

Pharmacies (including those within grocery stores) as well as participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients) and Division of Public Health clinics are all offering flu vaccines. DPH provides flu vaccines at locations where DPH mobile units also provide health care.

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. COVID-19 and the flu share some signs and symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills and fatigue. You can determine which illness you have with the help of testing. Flu vaccination is strongly recommended for children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions. When sick with the flu, people should remain at home and not return to work, school, or other gatherings until they are fever-free – without fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.

In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with others in their household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. While over-the-counter medications can relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to hasten recovery and prevent serious complications if you suspect you have influenza. In cases of acute illness, pregnancy, or chronic medical conditions, it is particularly important to contact your primary care provider.

 Remember the four key ways to keep respiratory illnesses in check this season:

  • Get vaccinated for COVID, flu, and RSV if eligible,
  • Stay home if you’re sick to keep others safe,
  • Seek treatment if you test positive for any of the illnesses, and
  • Consider wearing a mask if you or someone close to you is at higher risk of illness.

DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.

For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.