Around Town

State Announces Elevated Risk for Mosquito Borne Diseases in Area

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate due to the identification of a mosquito in the general Boston vicinity that tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Watertown Health Department announced. While this is not unusual considering historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease in this warm, dry weather, the Watertown Health Department advises that precautions against mosquito exposure need to be taken. Public health surveillance is conducted for mosquito-borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Around Town

See How to Dispose of Hypodermic Needles and Other Medical Sharps

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The Watertown Public Health Department will host a Household Sharps Collection Day on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m-noon. 

The collection will take place in the parking lot behind Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St. Watertown residents may bring the following:

Used Needles, syringes, and lancets, stored in sturdy puncture proof containers
Unused capped needles, syringes and lancets in original packaging
Sharps containers

Note: No Medical Waste or Commercial sharps accepted. Proof of Watertown residency is required. This Public Service has been organized and sponsored by: Watertown Health Department

For more information call 617-972-644 or go to www.watertown-ma.gov

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Around Town

Health Department Gets Grant for Healthy Community, Fighting Addiction

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Mount Auburn Hospital has awarded the Watertown Department of Health a $10,000 grant to expand the work of the Live Well Watertown Coalition around building a healthier community and support efforts of the W.A.T.E.R.town (Watertown Access to Treatment, Education, and Resources) task force for substance use disorders. This grant is a part of Mount Auburn Hospital’s Community Health mission of commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of community members by collaborating with community partners to reduce barriers to health, increase prevention and/or self-management of chronic diseases and increase the early detection of illnesses. “Realizing that local health departments have unique perspectives on the needs of the communities they serve, Mount Auburn Hospital designed these funds to support local department of health efforts. The funds may be used for capacity building and/or direct programming and must be used to address one or more of the top health concerns identified in our Community Health Needs Assessment. The main health concerns include: obesity and inactive living, self-management of chronic disease, mental health issues, substance abuse, and access to health care services, ” explains Mary Hunt Johnson, RN, OCN, Director of Community Health at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Government

Health Officials Tips to Avoid West Nile Virus After First Human Case

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The first human case of West Nile Virus has been diagnosed in Middlesex County, and health officials have advice for avoiding the mosquito-borne disease. The Watertown Health Department sent out the following information:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has identified that the recent hot, dry weather along with historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease poses an increased risk of mosquito-borne virus. As a result, MDPH has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate. Public health surveillance is done for mosquito-borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Government

Health Department Warns of Mosquito-Borne Disease

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The Watertown Health Department warns that the danger of mosquito-borne disease has increased due to recent weather, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the risk level, according to an announcement from town health officials. The Watertown Health Department announcement reads:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has identified that the recent hot, dry weather along with historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease poses an increased risk of mosquito-borne virus. As a result, MDPH has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate. Public health surveillance is done for mosquito borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Government

Watertown Health Department Collecting Needles, Syringes and More

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The Watertown Health Department will have a Households Sharps Collection Day on Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Watertown Town Hall (149 Main Street) parking lot in the rear of building. Watertown Residents may bring:

Used needles, syringes, and lancets stored in sturdy puncture proof containers. Unused capped needles, syringes, and lancets in original packaging. Sharps containers. No Medical Waste or Commercial sharps are accepted.

Around Town

Learn About Diabetes from the Watertown Health Department

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The Watertown Health Department will host a free lecture about diabetes at the Watertown Mall. 

Join Public Health Nurse Wil van Dinter RN on April 17 at 10 a.m. and learn about the types of diabetes, most common signs and symptoms of diabetes, tests and diagnosis for diabetes, and ways to control your diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.3 percent or about 29.1 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. From those about 8.1 million are undiagnosed. Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes can cause eye, nerve, and kidney complications. This free health lecture will be held in the Old Country Buffet. In addition, from 10 a.m.-noon, free blood pressure screenings will be provided by St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.