Several organized events are taking place on the Trail during 2012. Click here to view a printable calendar of all River’s Edge Trail events. You can also learn more about the Trail by visiting www.thetrail.org.

Pertussis is present in Montana, and the number of reported cases in 2012 is markedly higher than last year at this same time. Since January 1st of this year, 16 counties have reported a total of 99 cases of pertussis in Montana, compared to 54 cases that were reported last year at this time. For more information on the incidence of reported cases in Montana, please click here.

To date, Cascade County has not had any reported cases of pertussis. One way to ensure that this does not change is to make certain that people are up-to-date on their immunizations. This vaccination isn’t just for babies; it’s important to make sure everyone in the family is current.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis. Vaccines for pertussis are available for infants, children, teens and adults. Vaccine protection for pertussis does fade over time; the majority of Montana’s 2012 pertussis cases have been reported in school age children 5-18 years old. This highlights the importance of ensuring that boosters are received. Your health care provider or a Public Health Nurse with CCHD’s Immunization program can help you determine whether or not you should receive a pertussis booster and can also tell you more about the different vaccines available to prevent pertussis.

Pertussis commonly affects infants and young children and can be especially serious, even fatal, for babies less than one year old. Getting vaccinated will not only protect you, but will protect those around you from pertussis. This is especially important for parents and caregivers of infants.

Learn more about pertussis and vaccination by calling CCHD at 454-6950 and asking to speak with a Public Health Nurse. You can also download our printable fact sheet or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Phil May, Ph.D., Research Professor at the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health at Chapel Hill, will be in Great Falls with his team of experts who will be conducting growth and development studies from May 8th to May 10th in local schools.

“The information from the study will help parents, teachers and communities ensure that children are getting a school experience that is as productive and beneficial as possible,” states Rosemary Bozeman, RN, BSN at CCHD. She goes on to add, “This is a tremendous opportunity for our community, and we are very excited to be a part of it. ”

The specialized testing process for these first graders is pretty short and usually only lasts 5 to 10 minutes during school hours. “Most of the kids love it and are eager to be a part of the process,” says Bozeman.

In addition to the child enjoying the opportunity, there are monetary incentives for participating, and parents or guardians will receive an individual report developed by the physicians and the school psychologists on each child’s growth and development. This information can potentially make a difference in the child’s life by recognizing strengths and opportunities for developmental intervention. Usually, opportunities to pair children with the correct resources may not occur until the third or fourth grade, but this testing comes as an early stage in the child’s learning years when the positive impact can be even greater.

Consent forms were sent home for parents or guardians to sign, granting permission for their child to participate. If children do not have these signed forms, they will not be able to take part in the testing and will miss an opportunity to gather information the could positively impact the child and the community.

For more information on this growth and development study please call Rosemary Bozeman, RN at 761-9889.

Great Falls Weed and Seed, with support from other local agencies and organizations, is giving community members the opportunity to be a part of the solution to this problem by sponsoring a drug drop-off event on Saturday, April 28 from 10am-2pm. On this day, you can bring expired or unwanted medications to the Montana Highway Patrol District Office at 812 14th Street South. The drop-offs are confidential and free of charge. Drop-off officials cannot accept sharps/needles, chemo/radioactive drugs or other non-pharmaceutical waste and encourage participants to remove or blackout any personal information on their prescription containers.

In the past year, Montanans have turned in several tons of unwanted or expired prescription drugs through events like these. Great Falls residents have the added convenience of having the nation’s first 24/7 Prescription Drug Drop-Off Box. If you are unavailable to make the April 28 event, bring your expired or unwanted prescription drugs by the Montana Highway Patrol location anytime to deposit them in the permanent secured box.

“With prescription drug abuse on the rise in our state, it is important to closely monitor medications in our homes and get rid of those drugs we no longer have a use for,” said Attorney General Steve Bullock. “By limiting easy access to drugs that are potentially dangerous when misused, we reduce the risk of accidental poisonings, illegal diversion and abuse in our community.”

During the week of April 21st – 28th, Cascade City-County Health Department is celebrating National Infant Immunization Week and wants to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are one of the most successful and cost effective public health  tools available to prevent disease. Some of these diseases can be very serious for infants or young children. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than half of infants younger than 12 months of age who get pertussis, also known as whooping cough, must be hospitalized. Of those infants with pertussis, 1 in 5 develops pneumonia, 1 in 100 has convulsions and 1 in 100 will die.

In 2011, Montana reported 134 cases of pertussis, including 10 cases among infants younger than 24 months of age.

Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect our children and communities against illnesses such as pertussis. Jill Boettcher, Immunization Public Health Nurse says, “Parents may receive mixed messages about the safety or importance of vaccinations. Our knowledgable and helpful Public Health Nurses are here to assist parents in understanding the facts surrounding immunizations so they can make an informed choice.” Your child’s healthcare provider is also a good source of information about vaccines.

CCHD reminds parents that vaccinations can save their child’s life, protect others in the home and community from harmful diseases and can save time and money by reducing the costs associated with missed time from daycare, work or visits to the doctor’s office. If an infant or child needs immunizations, these services can be provided regardless of the ability to pay.

CCHD offers convenient immunization services on a walk-in basis during the following times: Tuesdays from 8:30-11:30am and Wednesdays through Fridays from 8:30-11:30am and 1:00-4:30pm.

For more information regarding immunizations, please call 454-6950 and ask for a Public Health Nurse or visit our Immunization program online.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by Hantavirus.  It is a very serious illness that is present in the environment and residents must take steps to protect themselves.” said Alicia M. Thompson, Health Officer.  “For your safety, take all recommended steps to control rodent populations and clean up rodent waste properly.  If you have been around rodents and start to exhibit symptoms is it crucial to seek medical care immediately and let your provider know you have been exposed to rodent waste.”

Hantavirus is carried by infected deer mice and can be passed on through their urine, saliva, or droppings.  The percentage of infected deer mice is highly dependent on environmental factors and can vary greatly between seasons.  Because Cascade County has recently seen two cases, it is likely that other infections could occur if people don’t take steps to protect themselves. Common tasks such as sweeping and moving boxes can disturb areas that have dried saliva, urine, or droppings from infected deer mice. As infected material is moved around, tiny particles with the virus in them get kicked up into the air. It is these tiny particles that can make you sick when they are breathed in or get into your eyes, mouth or broken skin.

Symptoms can begin one to six weeks after being exposed to the virus. The illness typically starts with 3-5 days of “flu-like” symptoms including fever, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.  Within a few days the illness rapidly progresses to severe shortness of breath.

Early diagnosis of Hantavirus and immediate medical care increase the likelihood of a full recovery.  Individuals exposed to rodents or their waste who experience symptoms should immediately seek medical treatment and notify their provider that they have been around rodents or rodent wastes. Providing this information to your provider will help him or her to look closely for any rodent-carried disease, such as Hantavirus.

The best way to prevent Hantavirus transmission is by controlling rodent populations in areas where you live and work.

• Seal up cracks and gaps in buildings that are larger than 1/4 inch, including window and door sills, under sinks around the pipes, in foundations, attics and any rodent entry hole.
• Trap indoor rats and mice with snap traps, and remove rodent food sources.
• Keep food (including pet food) in rodent-proof containers.

If you find places where rodents have nested, or if you find rodent droppings or waste, follow these steps to help to prevent exposure to Hantavirus while cleaning:

• Wear rubber or plastic gloves
• Thoroughly spray/soak area with a disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water to reduce dry dusty conditions in the area being cleaned (visit http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html or call 454-6950 and ask for a Public Health Nurse for specific mixing instructions)
• Wipe or mop the area with a sponge or paper towel (throw away items after use)
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after removing gloves
• Never sweep or vacuum in these areas as this can stir up dust and aerosolize the droppings

More information on Hantavirus and its prevention can be found at www.cchdmt.gov or by calling 454-6950 and asking to speak with a Public Health Nurse.

“Many people are eager to begin spring cleaning of the garages, sheds, barns or decide to make that first trip of the season to the cabin,” said Alicia M. Thompson, Health Officer. “It is important that people know what steps they can take to protect themselves against Hantavirus.”

Hantavirus cases often increase as people begin to clean their garages and sheds in warmer spring weather. Cleaning activities can disturb nesting materials contaminated with dried saliva, urine or droppings from infected deer mice. The disturbed nesting materials become airborne and the air is inhaled causing an exposure to the virus. This exposure leads to a Hantavirus infection. A person might also be infected with Hantavirus if contaminated materials are directly introduced into broken skin or into the eyes or mouth.

Symptoms can begin one to six weeks after becoming infected with the virus. The illness typically starts with 3-5 days of “flu-like” symptoms including fever, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Within a few days the illness rapidly progresses to severe shortness of breath.

Early diagnosis of Hantavirus and immediate medical care increase the likelihood of a full recovery. Individuals exposed to rodents or their waste who experience symptoms should immediately seek medical treatment and notify their provider that they have been around rodents or rodent wastes. Providing this information to your provider will help him or her to look closely for any rodent-carried disease, such as Hantavirus.

The best way to prevent Hantavirus transmission is by controlling rodent populations in areas where you live and work.

• Seal up cracks and gaps in buildings that are larger than 1/4 inch, including window and door sills, under sinks around the pipes, in foundations, attics and any rodent entry hole.
• Trap indoor rats and mice with snap traps, and remove rodent food sources.
• Keep food (including pet food) in rodent-proof containers.

If you find places where rodents have nested, or if you find rodent droppings or waste, follow these steps to help prevent exposure to Hantavirus while cleaning:

• Wear rubber or plastic gloves
• Thoroughly spray/soak area with a disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water to reduce dry dusty conditions in the area being cleaned (visit http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html or call 454-6950 and ask for a Public Health Nurse for specific mixing instructions)
• Wipe or mop the area with a sponge or paper towel (throw away these items after use)
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after removing gloves
• Never sweep or vacuum in these areas as this can stir up dust and aerosolize the droppings

More information on Hantavirus and its prevention can be found by downloading this printable fact sheet or by calling 454-6950 and asking to speak with a Public Health Nurse.

“Kick Butts Day is an annual event that provides students the opportunity to reach out and educate their peers about how corporate tobacco is targeting young people. It also helps teach young individuals what they can do to help reduce the number of kids becoming addicted to cigarettes,” says Nicole Bronec, reACT Youth Coordinator for CCHD.

Montana’s youth tobacco prevention program, reACT! Against Corporate Tobacco is a teen-led movement that joins statewide youth empowerment movements across the country in recognizing the power of young people to effectively take on one of the leading preventable causes of death–tobacco use. More than 400,000 people lose their lives each year to tobacco related illness, and every day more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarette and another 1,000 kids become addicted smokers. March 21st, throughout the State of Montana, reACT members will host events and activities promoting Kick Butts Day and its cause.

“Kids are a powerful part of the solution to reducing youth tobacco use,” says Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which coordinates Kick Butts Day. “For Kick Butts Day 2012, kids are sending two important messages: they want the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with advertising, and they want elected leaders at all levels to do more to protect them from tobacco.”

For more information about the Kick Butts Day event at North Middle School, contact Nicole Bronec at 452-0881 x309. For information on the national initiative, visit the Kick Butts Day website at www.kickbuttsday.org.

You can visit CCHD’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program online at any time to learn more about tobacco use and how to quit using tobacco.

Approximately 142,000 Americans are diagnosed with this disease each year, and it affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. What could be the cause of such staggering statistics? Colorectal cancer is a very serious, but preventable and treatable disease that is responsible for these sobering numbers.

Although some may consider colon cancer an embarrassing topic of conversation, City of Great Falls and Cascade County worksite wellness sites like the Civic Center, Public Works and the Health Department are proud to wear blue and support the cause. They know that increasing awareness saves lives! Although colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., it is highly treatable if detected early. Screening can also drastically reduce one’s risk of developing this disease. During a colonoscopy, colon polyps can be found and removed before they have a chance to develop into cancer.

“CCHD is working in partnership with the Montana Cancer Control Programs toward a future free of colon cancer,” said Penny Paul. “By hosting a local Dress in Blue Day event, the Civic Center, Public Works and Health Department employees are doing their part to help bring greater awareness to this disease and the importance a screening can play in saving lives.”

Dress in Blue Day is a nationwide event that raises wareness about colon cancer and its prevention. This event is held on the first Friday of March in communities and offices throughout the nation. Americans dress in blue, the nationwide color for colon cancer, to show their support in the fight against this disease and to get people talking about the importance of colon cancer screening.

For more information about Dress in Blue Day or colorectal cancer, please call Penny Paul at (406) 542-0881 x308.

To learn more about cancer screening, including screening for colon cancer, click here.

“Your child’s baby teeth really set the tone for adult teeth,” says Vickie Johnson, “and developing good dental habits early can get kids on the right track for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.”

Johnson, with assistance from the Dental Program students, has been visiting Kindergarten classes in Great Falls and Cascade County throughout February for Children’s Dental Health Month. The educational “Brush-In” at the Public Library is an opportunity for parents with younger kids to learn when and how to brush their child’s teeth and how to encourage those preventive behaviors as their child grows.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. By encouraging healthy eating habits, cleaning teeth early, using the right amount of flouride toothpaste and supervising children’s brushing, parents can reduce their child’s risk for developing tooth decay. Additionally, talking about a child’s specific dental health needs with their doctor or dentist can keep you informed and on the right track for your child’s healthy smile.

For more information on children’s dental health, visit www.cchdmt.org or www.cdc.gov/oralhealth.