Welcome to the Farmington Valley Health District. We strive to PREVENT disease outbreaks and conditions that give rise to poor health, PROMOTE health programs and policies that support good health, and PROTECT members of our community from health threats - both the everyday and the exceptional.
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Connecticut Department of Public Health
July 11, 2016
DPH ANNOUNCES NEW RABIES TESTING GUIDELINES
Hartford – Starting July 1st, the state Department of Public Health’s (DPH) State Laboratory in Rocky Hill no longer provides state-funded testing of rabid wild animals suspected of infecting domestic pets but where there was no human exposure. DPH’s State Lab will continue to provide and pay for rabies testing of any wild or domestic animal suspected of carrying rabies if humans have been exposed.
According to DPH, the new policy will require pet owners to pay for the costs of testing potentially rabid animals who may have infected their pet. This primarily affects owners whose pets have not been properly vaccinated since these pets are placed in quarantine for up to 6 months while vaccinated pets can be observed at home for 45 days.
DPH stressed that the change in testing was not a result of state budget cuts.
“The mission of the Department is to protect human health, and this change was made to keep us aligned with that mission. Any potentially rabid animal that comes in contact with a human resulting in an exposure according to national guidelines will continue to be tested in our lab,” said Dr. Jafar Razeq, DPH State Laboratory Director. “Pet owners who keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date as required by state law will not be impacted by this change.”
As was the practice prior to July 1st, pet owners can opt to pay to have their unvaccinated pet quarantined for 6 months to watch for infection or euthanize their pet. Pet owners were already required to pay for either quarantining or euthanizing their pets. Owners who wish to have the wild animal tested for rabies can take the animal to the University of Connecticut’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, which will test the wild animal for a modest fee. If the wild animal tests negative the pet can be vaccinated and avoid quarantine.
During 2014-2015, 957 raccoons, skunks, groundhogs and opossums were tested for rabies and represent the majority of wild animals tested. Of those animals tested, 69% involved only domestic pet exposure, not human exposure.
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Contact: Maura Downes
June 24, 2016
(860) 509-7270
STATE ISSUES DROUGHT ADVISORY
Hartford – With precipitation across Connecticut down as much as six inches over the last 90 days, the Department of Public Health (DPH) today issued a Drought Advisory. It is recommended that customers of public water systems follow any water conservation recommendations that may be requested by their water utility and that businesses and residents served by private wells follow DPH’s water conservation advice.
“I want to emphasize that water levels in Connecticut’s larger reservoirs and water systems are perfectly fine at this point. There are currently no reports of any Community Public Water Systems triggering their emergency contingency plans due to below normal reservoir capacities. DPH continuously monitors our reservoirs, and we are not in a drought,” added Dr. Pino. “However, we have not experienced as much rain as we typically do to this point in the year. Therefore people should be conscientious about their water consumption so that we don’t begin to experience drought conditions later this summer, particularly if rainfall continues to be below average.”
“While the state’s public water supplies are still fine overall, some of our smaller systems across the state with lower yielding supplies may want to consider requesting water conservation measures from their customers,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “If drier than usual conditions persist, we may see systems requesting conservation measures to protect their water supply. Accordingly, we are asking all residents to comply with any conservation recommendations issued by your water company and for well water customers to cut back on unnecessary water usage.”
The Interagency Drought Advisory Workgroup, comprised of the Commissioners of DPH and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), monitors and analyzes water-related data to ensure that Connecticut’s water supplies remain stable. At a meeting of the Workgroup earlier today, it was determined that five of seven drought benchmarks had been met, triggering the state’s entry into the Drought Advisory Stage. Those benchmarks include: precipitation, groundwater, streamflow, Palmer Drought Index and fire danger. The remaining two benchmarks, reservoir levels and the Crop Moisture Index, have not been met. Drought Advisories were previously declared in 2002, 2007 and 2010. If conditions continue to decline, a Drought Watch would be issued.
The DPH water conservation fact sheet for businesses and residents on private wells can be accessed by clicking here.
The DPH’s “Drought Guidance for Consumers” of public water systems can be accessed by clicking here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Contact: Maura Downes
June 24, 2016
(860) 509-7270
STATE ISSUES DROUGHT ADVISORY
Hartford – With precipitation across Connecticut down as much as six inches over the last 90 days, the Department of Public Health (DPH) today issued a Drought Advisory. It is recommended that customers of public water systems follow any water conservation recommendations that may be requested by their water utility and that businesses and residents served by private wells follow DPH’s water conservation advice.
“I want to emphasize that water levels in Connecticut’s larger reservoirs and water systems are perfectly fine at this point. There are currently no reports of any Community Public Water Systems triggering their emergency contingency plans due to below normal reservoir capacities. DPH continuously monitors our reservoirs, and we are not in a drought,” added Dr. Pino. “However, we have not experienced as much rain as we typically do to this point in the year. Therefore people should be conscientious about their water consumption so that we don’t begin to experience drought conditions later this summer, particularly if rainfall continues to be below average.”
“While the state’s public water supplies are still fine overall, some of our smaller systems across the state with lower yielding supplies may want to consider requesting water conservation measures from their customers,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “If drier than usual conditions persist, we may see systems requesting conservation measures to protect their water supply. Accordingly, we are asking all residents to comply with any conservation recommendations issued by your water company and for well water customers to cut back on unnecessary water usage.”
The Interagency Drought Advisory Workgroup, comprised of the Commissioners of DPH and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), monitors and analyzes water-related data to ensure that Connecticut’s water supplies remain stable. At a meeting of the Workgroup earlier today, it was determined that five of seven drought benchmarks had been met, triggering the state’s entry into the Drought Advisory Stage. Those benchmarks include: precipitation, groundwater, streamflow, Palmer Drought Index and fire danger. The remaining two benchmarks, reservoir levels and the Crop Moisture Index, have not been met. Drought Advisories were previously declared in 2002, 2007 and 2010. If conditions continue to decline, a Drought Watch would be issued.
The DPH water conservation fact sheet for businesses and residents on private wells can be accessed by clicking here.
The DPH’s “Drought Guidance for Consumers” of public water systems can be accessed by clicking here.
ZIKA VIRUS
A new mosquito borne illness called ZIKA is receiving a lot of media attention. While transmission of Zika has not been reported in the United States, Zika has been reported in travelers. Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico are areas of greatest concern at this time. Usually Zika is associated with mild symptoms lasting a few days to a week however, there is growing concern about the possible association between a Zika virus outbreak in Brazil and an increased number of babies born with microcephaly (small head due to underdeveloped brain). If you are of child bearing age or pregnant and planning travel to a country of interest, visit the CDC website to learn more about travel advisories and precautions: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
A new mosquito borne illness called ZIKA is receiving a lot of media attention. While transmission of Zika has not been reported in the United States, Zika has been reported in travelers. Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico are areas of greatest concern at this time. Usually Zika is associated with mild symptoms lasting a few days to a week however, there is growing concern about the possible association between a Zika virus outbreak in Brazil and an increased number of babies born with microcephaly (small head due to underdeveloped brain). If you are of child bearing age or pregnant and planning travel to a country of interest, visit the CDC website to learn more about travel advisories and precautions: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
Make your New Year smoke free!
For information from the DPH click on this link.
FVHD takes center stage for A Matter of Balance video
FVHD is very proud to have been a part of the production of an educational video featuring our Matter of Balance Class at the Canton Senior Center.
For further information on upcoming classes please contact us at FVHD: 860-352-2333
Click on the link below to view our video!
https://vimeo.com/141356288
FVHD is very proud to have been a part of the production of an educational video featuring our Matter of Balance Class at the Canton Senior Center.
For further information on upcoming classes please contact us at FVHD: 860-352-2333
Click on the link below to view our video!
https://vimeo.com/141356288
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"Public health is the foundation for a brighter tomorrow. When we invest in the safety and well-being of all Americans, we enrich our communities, bolster our economy, and strengthen our Nation. During National Public Health Week (April 6-12), we recognize public health professionals and all who care for the welfare of others, and we recommit to doing everything within our power to build a world where every child can enjoy the limitless possibilities of a healthy life."
- President Barack Obama
- President Barack Obama
