For some of us living in older homes, lead poisoning is still a real threat to drinking water. Lead found in tap water usually comes from the corrosion of older fixtures and pipes or from lead-based solder that connects pipes. It is important to test your water for lead. The EPA action level for lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion. Anything above that level can cause damage to the brain, nervous system and red blood cells. Children and pregnant women are especially susceptible to the effects of lead exposure.

Lead levels increase when no one has used water and it sits in pipes and faucets for several hours. In the short term you can lower the lead in your water by running the tap until it’s cold and only use cold tap water for cooking. Be sure to use the dispelled water for household cleaning or to water plants. For a long term solution, ask your plumber to investigate your system.

There is a Lyme Disease Support Group at the Zion Lutheran Church at 11 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Long Valley on the second Tuesday of every month from 7pm-9pm. All are welcome and no need to pre-register. Information, resources and support are available. For more information contact: Bill Kubik 908-930-6252.

Information about Lyme Disease

More information about Lyme Disease can be found at:  www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org

Public Health Advisory
Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health
Subject: Measles Holiday Travel Advisory
Date: 4/16/2019

As you may know, there have been multiple outbreaks of measles in the United States. As of April 11, a total of 555 cases have been reported in 20 states, including 13 cases in New Jersey, in 2019. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000. The majority of measles cases have been reported in New York City and New York state, and are primarily among unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities and associated with travelers who brought measles back from Israel.

The upcoming Passover holiday begins the evening of Friday, April 19 and ends the evening of Saturday, April 27. This year, Passover coincides with Easter which is on Sunday, April 21. In addition, many other social events may be scheduled over the next several months (e.g., graduations, weddings). All of these celebrations provide opportunities for measles to spread as people travel and congregate away from home.

Families may travel to resorts, hotels, or take cruises for the holiday. And there will likely be an influx of international travelers before Passover, including many from Israel where measles is circulating. Popular destinations include New York, New Jersey, Florida, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant about measles-

. Ensure all patients are up to date on MMR vaccine.
. Consider measles in patients presenting with febrile rash illness and clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis). Patients exposed to measles while traveling for Passover could begin to develop symptoms between late April and mid-May.
. Ask patients about recent travel internationally or to domestic venues frequented by international travelers, as well as a history of measles exposures in their communities.
. Promptly isolate patients with suspected measles to avoid disease spread and immediately report the suspect measles case to the health department.
. Obtain specimens for testing from patients with suspected measles, including viral specimens for genotyping, which can help determine the source of the virus. Contact the local health department with questions about submitting specimens for testing.

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 9 of 10 people around them will also become infected if they are not protected. The virus can cause serious health complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, and even death.

CDC continues to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated on schedule with the MMR vaccine. People 6 months and older should be protected with the vaccine before leaving on international trips.

For additional information and resources on measles please visit the New Jersey Department of Health’s measles website (https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml) or CDC’s measles website (https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html).

Measles FAQ

Learn about the importance of mosquito control, community-level control efforts, and what you can do to make a difference at home.

https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/index.html

• Norovirus Illness: Key Facts
• Tips to Prevent Norovirus from Spreading

Disposal of Syringes

Contact your local disposal company and ask what their protocol is for syringe disposal. Some companies will take them as long as they are in a sealed container. If your disposal company will not take them then you can take them to:

St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover
400 Blackwell St. ( Rt.46 east)
Dover, NJ

Enter through the lobby and stop at the Information desk. A volunteer will assist you Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  

In order to enjoy a tick-free summer, make preventing tick bites part of your plans before gardening, camping, hiking, or just playing outdoors by following the CDC’S guidelines on preventing tick bites and Lyme disease.

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/lymedisease.html

Recreational water illnesses are diseases that people can get from the water in which they swim and play—like swimming pools, hot tubs/spas, water playgrounds, or oceans, lakes, and rivers—if the water is contaminated with germs.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi.html

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/steps-healthy-swimming.html

Zika Virus spreads to people mainly through the bite of 2 species of mosquitoes. Most people with Zika virus do not show symptoms of illness. Some people do not even know they are infected. The greatest risk for complications from Zika is to a pregnant woman’s fetus. It is important for pregnant women, or couples trying to get pregnant, to be very cautious. Pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika infected areas. If they need to travel they should check with their healthcare provider for travel guidance. Below are websites with important information on Zika and other mosquito borne illnesses:

www.cdc.gov/zika

www.morrismosquito.org

Worried about bites from mosquitoes? The Morris County Division of Mosquito Control is available to provide educational programs about mosquito control. If you know of a group that might benefit, please pass this information along. And remember to remove standing water around your property, found in buckets, tires, toys, wheelbarrows, etc.

Information about Zika virus