Governor Markell Signs Legislation Expanding Needle and Syringe Exchange
Governor Markell today signed legislation expanding the state’s Syringe Exchange Program (SEP). Senate Bill 259 authorizes the state Division of Public Health to expand the program, which currently operates only in Wilmington, statewide should federal funding become available, to help reduce the sharing of potentially infected needles and supports the state’s larger efforts to address opioid addiction and HIV transmission.
Division of Public Health Celebrates National Immunization Awareness Month
Every year, thousands of Americans are hospitalized, and some die, from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination. To celebrate the importance of immunizations for all ages, the Division of Public Health (DPH) is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.
Governor Signs Legislation to Expand School-based Health Centers
At a signing ceremony today at Conrad Schools of Science near Wilmington, Governor Markell signed House Bill 234 which ensures that school-based health centers are established in every Delaware secondary public school.
Division of Public Health Announces Two New Zika Cases in Delaware Males
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced two New Castle County men have tested positive for the Zika virus bringing the total number of cases in Delaware to seven. All of the Zika positive test results are due to a mosquito bite while traveling abroad and none involve a pregnancy. Both men were tested in June following recent travel. Zika is spread primarily through mosquito bite but can also be sexually transmitted from male to female or passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week: June 26 through July 2
In observance of National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Mosquito Control Section encourages Delawareans to take precautions to avoid or reduce mosquito bites, and to put particular emphasis on eliminating backyard mosquito-producing habitat.
