Raccoon in Rehoboth Positive for Rabies; Public Health Warns Residents of King’s Creek Area
Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is warning residents of the King’s Creek community and surrounding areas in Rehoboth Beach of a positive case of rabies in a raccoon who bit a human last week. The raccoon was captured and brought to the DPH Lab, where test results confirming it had rabies came back on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. The victim, who was putting up holiday decorations in his yard, was bitten by the raccoon who was hidden in some bushes. The individual has begun treatment for the bite.
DNREC updates information on nitrate levels found in water at private residences near Mountaire Farms’ Millsboro poultry plant
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is working with the Delaware Division of Public Health to sample water from wells at private residences in the vicinity of Mountaire Farms’ Millsboro poultry processing plant that was recently cited by DNREC for wastewater violations involving excessive levels of nitrates.
Delaware’s Drug Take-Back Event Successful Again; Total Collected: 76,474 Pounds
In the 15th Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event on Oct. 28, Delaware collected 5,518 pounds of unwanted or expired medicine according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Division of Public Health (DPH). Since the first event in May 2010, Delaware has collected a total of 76,474 pounds of unwanted or expired medicine.
DNREC establishes 21-day timeframe for extended closure of Delaware Bay for recreational shellfish harvest
As reported this week to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Surface Water Discharges Section, Kent County’s wastewater treatment plant is back within acceptable water quality levels for the effluent discharged into the Murderkill River – leading DNREC to establish a timeframe for a federally-advised 21-day closure of recreational shellfish harvest in the Delaware Bay north of the Mispillion Inlet. The 21-day closure in effect for potential public health risks extends from July 24 to Aug. 14.
Delaware Cancer Mortality Drops Again; Public Health Releases Latest Cancer Report
Cancer screening and early detection have contributed to a continuing decline in Delaware’s all-site cancer mortality rate over the past decade, say Delaware Public Health officials. From 1999-2003 to 2009-2013, Delaware’s cancer death rate decreased 15 percent, an improvement that was slightly higher than the decline seen nationally (14 percent), according to the latest cancer data announced by the Division of Public Health (DPH).
