Public Health Matters Blog | Blogs

6 Things You Need to Know About This Flu Season

Sick boy lying in bed having his temperature taken with a thermometer.

Seasonal flu activity has been intense this season. As of February 16, 2018 most of the United States continues to experience intense and widespread flu activity, with record-breaking levels of influenza-like-illness and hospitalization rates recorded. While H3N2 viruses are still most common, there is an increasing number of influenza B viruses being detected. It’s not uncommon for second Read More >

February 5, 2018 by Blog Administrator34 Comments

Flu, prevention

antivirals, children, flu, flu shot, H3N2, influenza, public health, vaccination

Four Health and Safety Tips for Mass Gatherings

A crowd of people at Mauerpark in Berlin, Germany.

There is strength in numbers – both in public health and in public safety. The more people who take action to protect themselves, the better prepared a community is for an emergency. Communities take different forms. At a mass gathering like the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or in a public place like the airport, the Read More >

January 30, 2018 by Ethan Riley, Health Communications Specialist, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Taylor Price, Campaign Manager, "If You See Something, Say Something®" Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security4 Comments

preparedness

Emergency kit, flu, handwashing, mass gatherings, Norovirus, olympics, See Something Say Something, Super Bowl, suspicious activity, travel, traveler's health

Educating Children After Hurricane Maria

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria roared through the Caribbean just 12 days apart. The schools on St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) did not re-open until October 24. Teachers talked about how many of the books and materials in their classrooms were moldy and how teachers and staff Read More >

January 17, 2018 by Malaika Washington, Lead Health Education Specialist, Division of Adolescent and School Health3 Comments

natural disasters, response

children, Environmental Health, Flooding, Hurricane, Hurricane Maria, mold, public health, Ready Wrigley, US Virgin Islands, USVI

In Case You Missed It: Top 10 Posts From 2017

In honor of the New Year, we are rounding up the blogs that were most viewed by you, our readers, in 2017. America’s Hidden Health Crisis: Hope for Those Who Suffer from ME/CFS Public Health Matters recognized the 25th anniversary of International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Between 825,000 Read More >

January 8, 2018 by Blog Administrator2 Comments

Flu, Injury, natural disasters, preparedness, prevention

chronic disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, college, contact lens, COPEWELL, diarrhea, disease detective, drug overdose, epidemiology, flu, Foodborne, healthy and safe swimming week, Heart disease, John Snow, kit, Norovirus, opioid, pets, preparedness, public health, swimming, Waterborne

Beware of Snail Mail: 10 Signs of a Suspicious Package

Cardboard boxes on a conveyor belt in a warehouse.

If you are anything like me, you love getting mail. There is something about opening the mailbox to find a postcard from a loved one or a care-package with homemade cookies that can make your day. But not all packages are filled with love. Sometimes people send items and materials through the mail that are Read More >

December 14, 2017 by Jerzell Black, Operation Coordinator, CDC Office of Safety, Security, and Asset Management2 Comments

preparedness, response

mail, package, preparedness, safety, suspicious package

Norovirus Illness is Messy – Clean Up Right Away

Hand in pink protective glove wiping tiles with rag in the bathroom.

When norovirus strikes in your own home, you can be prepared by having the supplies you need to immediately clean up after a loved one vomits or has diarrhea. Norovirus is a tiny germ that spreads quickly and easily. It causes vomiting and diarrhea that come on suddenly. A very small amount of norovirus can make Read More >

December 4, 2017 by Blog Administrator9 Comments

Disease Outbreak, prevention

diarrhea, food safety, handwashing, Norovirus, vomit

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