Tennessee Department of Health says Tick and Mosquito Season is here
May 21, 2017
Nashville, TN – Ticks and mosquitoes are now out in force and looking for food. The meal of choice for both is blood, creating opportunities to spread a variety of serious illnesses such as Zika Virus Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever as they move from one bite victim to another.
“For many people, a bite from a mosquito or tick won’t cause much more than an itchy, irritating spot on the skin or sometimes mild, flu-like symptoms,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH.
Fight the Bite to Prevent Spread of Serious Illnesses
Tennessee Department of Health urges Travels to take Precautions against Zika Virus
February 22, 2017
Spring Break, Mission Trips, Business & Other Travel Warrants Protections
Nashville, TN – In 2016, 63 travelers returned to Tennessee infected with Zika virus. In each of those cases, the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee medical community worked quickly to ensure the virus would not spread to others.
Many Tennesseans are now planning for spring breaks, mission trips and other travel to warmer locations where mosquito populations are known to transmit Zika. TDH reminds Tennesseans that mosquito bite precautions are vital to protecting their health and the health of others where they live, work, play and pray when returning.
Travelers need to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Tennessee Department of Health Work continues to Prevent the Spread of Measles
April 25, 2016
Nashville, TN – The Shelby County Health Department, supported by staff members from the Tennessee Department of Health, continued work throughout the weekend to prevent the spread of measles.
SCHD and TDH Friday reported two cases of the disease in Shelby County; as of today the case count for those meeting the case definition for measles has increased to six. All are in Shelby County.
“As a highly contagious and sometimes serious disease, measles infects approximately 20 million worldwide each year,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH.
Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles virus is highly contagious virus and spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing. Make sure you and your child are protected with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (CDC)
Zika and Other Diseases Demand Awareness among Travelers
January 27, 2016
Areas with Warmer Climates Present Need for Increased Protection Strategies
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health cautions travelers headed to Mexico, Central and South America, Hawaii and Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico and other locations with year-round warm climates to have increased awareness about the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses and to take appropriate bite protection measures.
The cautionary message follows a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where an emerging health threat, zika virus infection, is ongoing.
Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya virus are spread to people through mosquito bites.
Tennessee Department of Health urges public to protect themselves from Tick and Mosquito Bites
July 15, 2015
Nashville, TN – Summer is about spending time with family and friends at the pool, lake or in the backyard, but it’s also the peak time for ticks and mosquitoes which increases your risks for diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, West Nile Virus and chikungunya disease.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0yq0J8qXdM&[/youtube] [Read more]
Travelers urged to protect themselves from Mosquitoes
March 31, 2015
Chikungunya Virus Disease Spread by Bites
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding vacation and business travelers about the importance of protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may transmit chikungunya virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue.
The first confirmed case of chikungunya virus disease in Tennessee occurred in 2014; since then 42 additional cases have been documented, all involving travel outside the state.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXkoI1sB1C4[/youtube] [Read more]
Measles outbreak in California underscores importance of Immunization
February 6, 2015
Nashville, TN – Measles, a disease considered eradicated in the United States, is making headlines due to a growing outbreak linked to a California amusement park. Most of the people infected with measles in this outbreak were not vaccinated against the disease.
While Tennessee does not yet have any reported measles cases in 2015 and no cases linked to this outbreak at this time, the Tennessee Department of Health is reminding everyone of the importance of routine vaccination against measles and other illnesses.
A child receiving an immunization
Tennessee Department of Health is raising Awareness about Chikungunya
June 12, 2014
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health is investigating the first potential cases of chikungunya in the state. Multiple people from Tennessee recently traveled to the Caribbean, where the illness is now a widespread epidemic with over 100,000 suspected cases.
Some of the recent travelers from Tennessee now have symptoms of the illness.
Chikungunya is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes.
Tennessee Department of Health investigating Measles Cases in Tennessee
May 15, 2014
Vaccinations Urged to Prevent Future Cases
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health is now investigating five cases of measles in Madison, Shelby, Gibson, Hamilton and Hardeman counties.
People in additional counties may have been exposed to measles due to some patients traveling while unknowingly being contagious.
The measles cases in Tennessee appear to have started with one traveler who was exposed to the illness in another country. [Read more]
Fitbit Recalls Force Activity-Tracking Wristband Due to Risk of Skin Irritation
March 13, 2014
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports Fitbit recalls Force Activity-Tracking Wristband. Users of the product can develop an allergic reaction to the casing causing skin irritation.
Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Fitbit Force Activity-Tracking Wristband recalled.
