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Marion County Public Health Department

Residents Asked to Report Debris from Belmont Ave. Fire

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health-deptThe Marion County Public Health Department is asking for continued help from the public to locate debris from the recent warehouse fire at 220 S. Belmont Ave. Teams from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a contractor hired by the building’s owner are recovering asbestos-containing material spread by the fire that started on June 15. Asbestos was found in debris samples recovered by the Marion County Public Health Department shortly after the fire.

Recovery crews have focused efforts on areas with the largest concentration of debris, mostly within approximately one mile of the fire site. However, smaller debris has been recovered in areas to the northeast of this target area.

Because of the potential health concerns with handling asbestos-containing material, the health department is asking residents to not touch or dispose of debris themselves. Anyone finding debris from the fire is encouraged to call a special phone line set up by the Marion County Public Health Department, 317-221-2159. Callers should leave a message that includes their name, phone number and the location of the debris. A trained professional will pick up and properly dispose of the material. Nearly 40 calls have been made to the call-in line since it was established on June 21.

“It is important that the public does not disturb the material, causing it to break into smaller pieces,” said Dana Reed Wise, bureau chief, Environmental Health at the Marion County Public Health Department. “We discourage the cutting of grass or using a leaf blower or broom where material is present. This can cause harmful asbestos fibers to be released into to air, creating a health hazard.”

The goal of this recovery effort is to reduce exposure to asbestos, said Reed Wise. “Proper collection and disposal of the material is the best option.”

Although the handling of this material is discouraged, those who do should wet it down with water, place it into a plastic bag and put a little more water in the bag to keep the material wet. Store the bag in a safe place and call 317-221-2159 to have it picked up. Anyone handling the material should immediately wash their hands and face.

Marion County Public Health Department Announces Flu Schedule

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The Marion County Public Health Department will hold its annual community flu clinics beginning Monday, October 1, 2012.  Clinics are scheduled through Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. The flu can cause fever, sore throat, cough, headaches, fatigue, chills, and muscle aches.  A flu vaccine is needed every year due to flu viruses constantly changing. It is not unusual for new flu viruses to appear each season. The flu vaccine is formulated each year to keep up with the flu viruses as they change.

The vaccine is recommended by the CDC for anyone who is at least 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for some people to get vaccinated. People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu include:

  1. People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease
  2. Pregnant women
  3. People 65 year and older
  4. Those that live with or care for others with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease

“Health care providers play an important role in advising their patients to get vaccinated each year and should also protect themselves, their patients, their family, and the community from influenza by getting vaccinated,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director of the Marion County Public Health Department.  “It is especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in last year’s vaccines.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population develops influenza each year. This leads to more than 200,000 hospitalizations from related complications. Influenza seasons are unpredictable and can be severe, with annual influenza-related deaths ranging from a low of about 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people in the U.S.

CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as the 2012-2013 flu season vaccine becomes available. Influenza seasons are unpredictable and can begin as early as October. In Marion County, the flu season can last from now through late April.

Through the Health Department, vaccine pricing is as follows:

  1. Influenza vaccines = $15
  2. Pneumococcal vaccines = $40
  3. Tetanus (Td or Tdap) = $20
  4. Vaccinations for children under two are free

*Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted.

Community flu clinic locations include:

Monday, October 1, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 7995 E. 21st Street

Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

  • Southport Presbyterian Church, 7515 McFarland Boulevard

Thursday, October 4, 2012, 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.

  • South District Health Office, 505 E. National

Friday, October 5, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Northwest District Health Office, 6940 N. Michigan Road

Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 3:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.

  • Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Rd.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

  • Southport United Methodist Church, 1947 E. Southport Road

Thursday, October 25, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Cathedral Kitchen, 1305 N. Pennsylvania

Thursday, November 1, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Georgetown Office, 3972 Georgetown Road

Thursday, November 8, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Chin Community Center, 2532 E. Stop 11 Rd.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

  • Northeast District Health Office, 6042 E. 21st St.

For more information, call the Flu Clinic Hotline at (317) 221-2121.

Health Department Updates Human Cases and Deaths of West Nile Virus in Marion County

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The Marion County Public Health Department announced September 6, 2012 that there is a second death in Marion County from West Nile Virus and the number of human cases continues to rise with ten as of today.

  1. 2011- 1 human case and no death
  2. 2010- 3 human cases and no death
  3. 2009- 1 death
  4. Since 2002 to date, there have been over 60 human cases of West Nile virus.

Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. West Nile virus transmission within the mosquito populations is currently much higher than in previous years.

Continue to follow the 4 D’s. DEET, DUSK/DAWN, DRESS, and DRAIN.

  1. DEET is an important ingredient to look for in your insect repellent.
  2. DUSK/DAWN is the best time of day to stay inside because that is when mosquitoes are active. This is also when infected mosquitoes are most active.
  3. DRESS in long sleeves and long pants when you’re outdoors. For extra protection, you may want to spray your clothing with repellent.
  4. DRAIN standing water in your back yard and neighborhood

The Marion County mosquito control department continues to monitor the county and investigates areas where there are infected adult mosquitoes. Once identified these areas will be treated for two consecutive nights. Surveillance sites located throughout the county are used to trap mosquitoes that are then tested by the health department’s laboratory staff.

For more information about mosquito control services, contact 317-221-7440