Leading the Charge to a Healthier Chatham
Health Department Mission
To protect and promote the health and safety of Chatham County residents.
Hot Topics
Actualización del Brote de Sarampión en Carolina del Norte
Oficiales del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte están trabajando con los departamentos de salud locales para investigar un brote de sarampión. A partir del 2 de mayo, 19 cases han sido identificados en residentes de los condados de Stokes, Orange y Polk. El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Chatham esta monitoreando muy de cerca esta situación. Por el momento, no se han identificado casos en el Condado de Chatham.
El sarampión es una enfermedad sumamente contagiosa y cualquier persona que sea expuesta al virus quien no ha sido vacunada o nunca ha tenido el sarampión en alguna etapa temprana de su vida, tiene un gran riesgo de desarrollar la enfermedad. Por favor comuníquese con su médico o departamento de salud local inmediatamente si desarrolla fiebre, tos, goteo nasal, conjuntivitis (ojos llorosos enrojecidos) o sarpullido. Si necesita atención médica, por favor llame a su médico o departamento de salud antes de ir a la clínica para que ellos puedan tomar pasos para prevenir la exposición de otras personas.
La mejor protección contra el sarampión es recibir dos dosis de la vacuna MMR (vacuna contra el sarampión, paperas y rubéola). La mayoría de los niños reciben la primera dosis de la vacuna comenzando a los 12 meses de edad. El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Chatham está ofreciendo la vacuna MMR sin costo alguno a cualquier persona que no ha recibido la vacuna en el pasado. Para hacer una cita, las personas pueden llamar al Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Chatham, de lunes a viernes, de 8AM a 5PM, al 919-542-8220 (para la clínica en Pittsboro), al 919-742-5641 (para la clínica en Siler City) o a su médico.
Por favor visite la página http://ncdhhs.gov/pressrel/2013/2013-04-30_measles_outbreak.htm para información adicional sobre el brote en Carolina del Norte. Para más información acerca del sarampión, por favor visite la página http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/overview-sp.html.
North Carolina and Chatham County Investigate Potential Measles Exposure at Shakori Hills Music Festival
North Carolina and Chatham County health officials have learned that at least two individuals who attended the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival between Friday evening, 4/19, and Sunday, 4/21, have developed measles. These individuals had been previously exposed to measles and did not have symptoms during the festival. However, they may have been contagious while camping at the event.
Measles is a highly infectious disease and anyone exposed to the virus who has not been vaccinated or has not had measles earlier in life is at high risk of developing the measles. Please contact your doctor or local health department immediately if you develop fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (watery red eyes) or rash. If you need medical care, please call your doctor or health department before you go so they can take steps to prevent other people from being exposed.
The best protection against measles is the two part MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination. Most children receive their first dose of the vaccine beginning at 12 months of age. The Chatham County Public Health Department is offering the MMR vaccine free of charge to any residents who have not received the vaccine in the past. To schedule an appointment, residents can call the Chatham County Public Health Department, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, at 919-542-8220 (Pittsboro clinic), 919-742-5641 (Siler City clinic), or call their family doctor.
Please visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/pressrel/2013/2013-04-30_measles_outbreak.htm for additional information on the outbreak in North Carolina. For more information on measles, please visit www.cdc.gov/measles.
Chatham County Releases Information on North Carolina Measles Outbreak
Public health officials from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services are working with local health departments to investigate an outbreak of measles. Cases have been identified in residents of Stokes and Orange Counties. Due to Chatham County’s proximity to these counties, the Chatham County Public Health Department is closely monitoring this situation. The health department is contacting Chatham County residents who might have been exposed to these cases and providing vaccine to limit the spread of infection. At this time, Chatham County has not identified any cases.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus with early signs and symptoms that are similar to a cold. These symptoms may include fever, runny nose, cough, and runny eyes. Within 3-4 days after these symptoms begin, a rash will appear usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. About 1 out of 10 children with measles also gets an ear infection and up to 1 out of 20 gets pneumonia.
The Chatham County Public Health Department recommends that anyone with fever, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough, should stay at home and limit contact with others to avoid spreading illness. If you develop a rash or if your symptoms worsen, call your doctor or seek medical care. If you do seek medical care, call your doctor’s office or health care facility before you go so they can prepare for your visit and protect other patients from exposure.
The best protection against measles is the two part MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination. Most children receive their first dose of the vaccine beginning at 12 months of age. The Chatham County Health Department is offering the MMR vaccine free of charge to any residents who have not received the vaccine in the past. To schedule an appointment, residents can call the Chatham County Public Health Department, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, at 919-542-8220 (Pittsboro clinic), 919-742-5641 (Siler City clinic), or call their family doctor.
Individuals that have measles, or are not immunized and have been around someone with measles need to stay at home away from others.
Visit the CDC’s webpage for more information about the measles: www.cdc.gov/measles
QuitlineNC Offers Nicotine Replacement Therapy at No Cost for a Limited Time
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is providing extra help for North Carolina tobacco users who want to quit for good. QuitlineNC, the state’s toll-free telephone and online support service to help tobacco users quit, is making nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) available at no cost while supplies last for North Carolina residents who enroll in quit coaching.
“Tobacco use causes serious diseases that shorten life,” said DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos, M.D. “We want to support the efforts of smokers and other tobacco users who choose to take responsibility for their own health by quitting.”
North Carolinians ready to quit smoking may call QuitlineNC at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit www.quitlinenc.com to sign up for the over-the-counter medication and support. QuitlineNC telephone service is offered in English and Spanish, with translation services available for other languages.
North Carolina tobacco users can receive a limited supply of free nicotine replacement therapy after they enroll with QuitlineNC for a four-call program. Each enrollee will develop a personalized quit plan with a quit coach. The supply of medication available to each individual varies, depending on insurance coverage, and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Health officials say the combination of Quitline support and medication is a proven way to increase the odds that tobacco users will quit for good.
“Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been proven in well-designed research studies to significantly increase quit rates, especially when used in combination with cessation counseling such as QuitlineNC provides,” Wos said.
QuitlineNC has provided North Carolina tobacco users with quit coaching since 2005. More than 23,000 people used the service during 2012.
Education campaign returns with powerful stories to help North Carolinians quit smoking
Continuing with the success of last year’s landmark national tobacco education campaign, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is airing a second series of ads featuring real people who are living with the effects of smoking-related diseases. The newest ads in the “Tips from Former Smokers” campaign tell the story of how real people’s lives were changed forever due to their smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. In North Carolina, over 12,000 residents die every year from smoking-related diseases. Smoking also costs the state money, with approximately $3 million in excess health care costs due to smoking related diseases. The new ads will air from April 1 to June 23.
Click here to read more.
Put Old Bedding & Linens to Good Use at Chatham County Animal Shelter
As the weather begins to warm with the onset of spring, many Chatham County residents are cleaning out closets and clutter. Instead of throwing out linens that still have life left in them, please consider donating them to the Chatham County Animal Shelter.
Each year, the shelter uses countless blankets, towels, comforters, and pet beds. Your donations help shelter pets stay nice and comfy throughout the year.
The animal shelter is accepting donations of the following washed or cleaned items (new or used):
Blankets
Comforters
Quilts
Dog beds
Cat beds
And towels
Please make sure they are clean, dry, folded, and without holes when brining them into the shelter. The shelter pets will thank you upon arrival, and for the rest of the year!
The Chatham County Animal Shelter is located at 725 County Landfill Road, west of Pittsboro off of US 64. For more information, please call 919-542-7203.
Nominate Employee/Supervisor of the Year
Do you know of a Chatham County Public Health Department employee who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in disease prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of quality health services, or protection of the environment? If so, please consider nominating her or him for employee of the year. Download the form by clicking here. Forms must be submitted by April 12, 2013 to Vicky Guetgemann, Chatham County Public Health Department, P.O. Box 130, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or electronically to vicky.guetgemann@chathamnc.org.
Health Department Seeks Nominations for Health Partner Award
Do you know of a local health organization making a difference in Chatham County? The Chatham County Board of Health is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Community Health Partnership Award.
This award is given out annually to an area health partner who has “advanced the practice of public health in Chatham County by participating in partnerships that address prevention of disease, promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of quality health services, and protection of the environment.” Awardees will be recognized by the Board of Health for their dedication to serving and improving the health of Chatham County.
If you would like to nominate a community partner for its service, please go to download the nomination form by clicking here. You may also contact Vicky Guetgemann, Chatham County Public Health Department Administrative Services Manager at 545-8391.
Completed nomination forms should be turned in to Vicky Guetgemann no later than April 12, 2013. Please mail them to Vicky Guetgemann, Chatham County Public Health Department, P.O. Box 130, Pittsboro, NC 27312. They may also be e-mailed to Vicky.guetgemann@chathamnc.org. Thank you for your participation.
2012 State of the County Health Report now Available
The Chatham County Public Health Department's annual report is now available. The report, which is prepared every year except those in which a Community Health Assessment takes place, highlights activities and changes in the county since the last Community Health Assessment in 2010.
The report can either be downloaded by clicking the link below or by visiting the health department for printed copies, available in the clinic lobby. To request multiple printed reports for distribution at your agency or event, please contact Mike Zelek at michael.zelek@chathamnc.org or 919-545-8466.
Download 2012 State of the County Health Report
Bajar el reporte Salud de Chatham 2012
Health Department Notices
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your private health information. Please read the HIPAA policy of the Chatham County Public Health Department here.
Interpretation Services
Spanish language interpretation services are available at health department sites. Other languages are assisted by a telephone hotline.
Privacy Notices
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully. Click here for the notice in English. Click here for the notice in Spanish.
COMMMUNITY SURVEY
Please click here to take Chatham County Public Health Department’s Community Survey.
Encuesta en la Comunidad
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Online Health Department Client Feedback Form
Encuesta de Satisfacción del Cliente para el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Chatham
Last updated date: 5/3/2013 11:15:19 AM