Flu shots available in W. Ga.

The Columbus Department of Public Health and the West Central Health District report that they have received supplies of influenza vaccine, for the winter flu season.

The flu shots will be restricted to Georgia residents of the following counties, and will be distributed at their local health departments this coming Monday, September 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m:

Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee (Columbus), Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster.

The vaccine will be available on a walk-in basis to the general public and high-risk population for $23.00 apiece, and pneumonia vaccine will cost $14.00, according to a statement by the West Central Health District (WCHD).

The WCHD recommends vaccinations for the following high-risk populations:

• Adults age 65 years or older
• All children aged 6-23 months
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Health-care workers involved in direct, hands-on, face-to-face patient care
• Pregnant women
• Children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• Individuals who live with or care for one or more children less than 6 months of age
• Individuals with long-term health problems such as heart disease; kidney disease; lung diseases like asthma; metabolic diseases like diabetes, blood disorders like anemia; a weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, or steroid therapy; or certain conditions such as neuromuscular disorders that can cause breathing problems.

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Columbus: four ill with West Nile Virus

Four cases of West Nile Virus have been diagnosed in Columbus since last month, health officials report.

Columbus West Central Health District Program Manager Ed Saidla told GPB News that this is the time of the year when individuals are most likely to contract the disease:

“Persons who are elderly, or have other health conditions are often more likely not to survive West Nile Virus than those who are healthy at the time of infection. However – west Nile Virus can cause serious, life-changing events to even healthy individuals. Anybody can wind up with the virus, so it's important that they take precautions.”

The West Central Health District recommends the following steps to limit exposure to the mosquitoes that carry the virus:

Mosquitoes need water to breed. They can breed in any puddle or standing water that remains more than four days. By removing areas of standing water, you will eliminate breeding grounds and reduce the number of mosquitoes.

Dispose of old tires. Regularly empty any metal cans, ceramic flowerpots, bottles, jars, buckets, and other water-holding containers on your property.

Turn over plastic wading pools, outdoor toys and wheelbarrows when not in use.

Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.

Keep gutters cleared and sloped to the downspout.

Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.

Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Remove standing water from pool covers.

Make sure windows and screens are in good condition.

Purchase and use Mosquito Dunks (a larvicide used to kill mosquito larvae) to control mosquitoes in areas with standing water and in containers that cannot be dumped.

Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus bite during the evening, night and early morning. Take precautions to protect yourself and your family during these periods.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Consider using insect repellent containing DEET. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

For more information on the West Nile Virus and prevention methods, contact your local health department Environmental Health Department.

Saidla could not verify an earlier newspaper report of a fatality in Alabama from the disease:

"The quote that was reported in the newspaper was a misunderstanding in terms of the question that was being asked, and was really more in reference to the gentleman who was 80-years-old and died up in Clayton County, that was confirmed from West Nile Virus."

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