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Archive for October, 2012

Health department announces boil water advisories

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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The Department of Public Health today announced that 82 small public
drinking water systems in the state are under a boil water advisory. The majority of public water
suppliers, including the larger public water systems, which serve approximately 2.7 million
Connecticut residents, were able to maintain water safety and service throughout the storm.

The list of 82 systems under a boil water advisory serve a total population of 11,072, approximately 0.31 percent of the state’s total population. Towns with systems under advisory include Danbury, New Milford and Ridgefield. View a complete list at http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/communications/cerc/sandy_boilwater.pdf.

Public drinking water systems that are experiencing power outages and do not have a backup power source are issuing boil water advisories as a precautionary measure. DPH is monitoring these systems and working to contact other small public drinking water systems to determine their status and offer assistance as needed. Affected public water systems will notify customers if a boil water advisory is announced.

While some large public water supply systems in the state lost their normal power source, emergency power capabilities allowed them to operate normally to protect their water supply. DPH continues to monitor and provide assistance to these systems to ensure drinking water safety.

Residents Under Boil Water Advisory
Residential customers who have been advised by their water system of a boil water advisory
should:

Safely boil their water by bringing it to a rolling boil for one minute. A rolling boil means
that there are very large bubbles in the water, making the water move very quickly. Make
sure the water does not have any floating pieces in it before you boil it. To make the
boiled water taste better, pour the water back and forth between two clean containers a
few times. Boiled water should be allowed to cool to a safe temperature before drinking
or handling.

Use boiled or bottled water when cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth,
or making baby formula. Boiled water should be allowed to cool to a safe temperature
before drinking and handling.

Use water that has previously boiled and cooled to a safe temperature or bottled water to
wash hands when cooking.

An alternative method of purification for residents that do not have gas or electricity is to
use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently
purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at
least 5.25%. Public health officials recommend adding 8 drops of bleach (about ¼
teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at
least 30 minutes before use.

Adults and older children do not need to use boiled water to shower or bathe, but should
try not to swallow any water or get any water into their mouths. Infants, toddlers, the
elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should be bathed using
water that has been previously boiled and cooled to a safe temperature or bottled water.
Homeowners in flooded areas whose private wells have flooded should consider their wells
contaminated. For information on disinfecting flooded wells, go to www.ct.gov/dph/floods.

Large public water systems serve a population of 2.7 million people in Connecticut. There are
approximately 500 smaller community public water systems that each serve less than 1,000
people.

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State sees stark uptick in carbon monoxide poisonings after hurricane

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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The state’s poison control center has seen a major increase in reports of carbon monoxide poisonings in the wake of hurricane Sandy, and a spokeswoman for the center attributes that to the improper use of generators by those who lost power in the storm.

Amy Hanoian-Fontana, communication education specialist for the center, said, as of late morning Wednesday, there had been 27 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in the state since Tuesday, most of them in Fairfield County. Though that number doesn’t sound like much, she said, the average during this time of year — when there isn’t a power outage — is zero to one case of poisoning.

All of the cases recorded by the center late Wednesday morning were due to improper use of power generators. And Hanoian-Fontana only expected the total to rise as power outages persisted. “If it’s 27 now, by the end of the day it’s going to be a lot worse and over the next few days, it’s going to be even worse,” she said.

The state is collecting data on carbon monoxide cases mainly from area hospitals.

Hanoian-Fontana said those who had been sickened included people who had placed generators in their basement, in the garage with the door closed or other places that allowed those living in the homes to be in contact with fumes from the machinery.

She urged people to be careful when using these units. The center has put out a list of dos and don’ts, asking that home and building owners notuse portable generators or other gasoline-powered equipment (like tools) inside a home, garage, carport, basement or other enclosed space, such as a covered porch. Other tips include using gasoline-powered equipment, like generators, outside only and at least 20 feet from your home. Also, keep your generator away from doors, windows or air intake vents and make sure outside vents are not blocked with snow or leaves.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are like the flu. They include headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. If not addressing, it can be fatal. Get out of the house and get medical help right away if you or a family member have signs of poisoning. These signs may be your only warning because you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.

Hospital workers check into ‘Hotel St. Vincent’s’

Monday, October 29, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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Roommates. A cafeteria serving late night eats. The distinct possibility that sleep would be a scarce commodity.
It sounds like the kind of conditions you might find at a college dormitory, but it’s actually what staff at many local hospitals looked forward to Monday night as they prepared to spend the night at their places of business.
Unable or unwilling to traverse roads made treacherous by hurricane Sandy, workers at some hospitals either slept over in advance of their early shifts or bunked down after late shifts.
At St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, for example, spokeswoman Lucinda Ames said anywhere between 60 and 80 workers were staying the night at hospital.
Most would be sleeping in outpatient areas that were not being used during the storm. Ames said they workers will be provided with beds, sheets and towels — many of the comforts of home — and, as a bonus, they’d receive free food at the cafeteria, which will be open all night.
“It’s kind of like Hotel St. Vincent’s,” Ames said.

Connecticut health department warns of Sandy-related water contamination

Monday, October 29, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a release Monday afternoon warning residents of health concerns associated with flood water. Severe flooding has the potential to contaminate drinking water sources and lead to sewage back-ups in homes.
With record flooding predicted in the state from Hurricane Sandy, DPH is advising residents to assume that all flood water is contaminated and to avoid contact with any flood water.

Flood Water

Flood water may contain viruses, bacteria and germs which could lead to severe illness.

All food and water that has come into contact with flood water should be considered contaminated and discarded. This includes packaged food items in plastic, paper, cardboard, cloth, and similar containers that may have been water damaged, as well as beverage containers with screw-caps, snap lids, crimped caps (soda bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods, as these tops cannot be disinfected appropriately. For information on cleanup after a flood, go to www.ct.gov/dph/floods.

Drinking Water

With unprecedented tidal surge anticipated, some public water systems may be compromised. Listen for water reports from your public water supplier or local authorities to find out if your water is safe. If an advisory has been issued concerning contaminated water, or if you notice any unusual changes to the water (color, taste or odor), precautionary measures, such as using boiled or bottled water, should be taken until you are advised otherwise.

Homeowners in flooded areas whose private wells have flooded should consider their wells contaminated. Contaminated wells should be disinfected before use. If you notice any unusual changes to the water (color, taste or odor), precautionary measures, such as using boiled or bottled water, should be taken until testing is done to find if contamination is present in the water supply. For information on disinfecting wells, go to www.ct.gov/dph/floods.

If there is a boil water notice or advisory, or if you suspect that your water supply is contaminated, boiled or bottled water should be used when cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, or making baby formula. You should also use boiled or bottled water to wash your hands when cooking. Adults and older children do not need to use boiled water to shower or bathe, but should try not to swallow or get any untreated water into their mouth. Infants, toddlers, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should be bathed using boiled or bottled water.

You can safely boil your water by bringing it to a rolling boil for one minute. A rolling boil means that there are very large bubbles in the water, making the water move very quickly. Make sure the water does not have any floating pieces in it before you boil it.

Sewage

Flooding can cause sewage back-ups into basements and onto private property. Sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can cause disease and make a contaminated house unfit for living. Your health may be impacted if a sewage back-up occurs in your home. Sewage back-ups can also contaminate your private drinking well water.

If you have a sewage back-up in your home:

Turn off the power if there is standing water or the possibility of electrical wires coming into contact with water or wet materials.
Do not flush the toilets.
Keep all children and pets away from the sewage.
Wear rubber gloves when handling anything contaminated with sewage. Wash hands immediately afterwards. Never touch raw sewage with bare hands.
If your home is served by a municipal sewer system, call your local sewer department (town public works department or water pollution control authority) or go to their website.
If your home has a septic system, call your local health department for advice about how to dispose of the water/sewage.

For more information on what to do if you have a sewage back-up in your home and cleanup after a flood, go to www.ct.gov/dph/floods.

St. Vincent’s update on hurricane emergency prep

Monday, October 29, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport issued an update on its emergency preparations for Sandy this afternoon.
It reads as follows:
In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, St Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport CT has its Emergency Operations Center activated and is making preparations to handle the storm challenges.

The hospital has validated that it has adequate supplies, water, food and critical resources to handle any delays in deliveries due to power losses or inaccessible roads at both St. Vincent’s Medical Center and at St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services, Westport Campus.

St. Vincent’s has tested and confirmed that it has adequate generator power if needed due to any storm-related electricity outtages.The Medical Center has a built-in system of redundancies in place in the case of a power outage.

Managers are reviewing staffing for the next several days and are in contact with their employees to ensure an adequate staffing plan. Staff are being invited to come in by early afternoon for the evening shift before roads close. Night shift are encouraged to arrive early and may sleep here prior to the 11pm start of their shift. Staff who cannot return home safely are invited to sleep here as well. Cots are being deployed where needed.

On- call teams are being reviewed and many have confirmed to remain on site tonight.

St. Vincent’s College, St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services and the Seton Academy at the Westport Campus are all closed for today and tomorrow.

St. Vincent’s is closing its outpatient services including its Infusion Center and Radiation Oncology Department located at the main hospital, the St. Vincent’s Urgent Care Centers, Family Health Center and Hope Dispensary of Greater Bridgeport until further notification. Regarding elective surgeries, patients should contact their physician’s office.

For those in need of critical medical help, our Emergency Department is open.

We ask Bridgeport residents with assisted medical devices requiring electricity, who may anticipate losing power, to go to the American Red Cross shelters provided for this emergency.

For more information on area shelters, please contact the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center Resident Line at 203-579-3829 or call Info Line at 211.

For more information on St. Vincent’s, please follow posts to Twitter (@stvincentsmc), visit www.stvincents.org or call 203-576-6000.

Storms can carry carbon monoxide dangers

Friday, October 26, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and other health authorities are reminding residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) associated with the use of portable generators and outdoor grilling devices.

One year after a rare October snowstorm left over 800,000 Connecticut customers without power, Hurricane Sandy may potentially impact Connecticut early next week. According to a release sent by the department of health, last year’s storm resulted in one of the largest outbreaks of carbon monoxide poisoning ever seen in the nation, with 143 cases of CO poisoning and five CO-related deaths. Most of the cases were related to the improper use of portable generators and charcoal grills.

Exhaust from portable generators and outdoor grills contain carbon monoxide. Generators and outdoor grills should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages, basements, or porches. Opening windows and doors, and operating fans is not sufficient to prevent the buildup of CO in a home. Always run your generator outdoors as far from your home as possible (at least 20 feet) and away from doors, windows, and air intake vents. In addition, CO detectors with battery back-ups should be installed in homes, especially near sleeping areas.

CO is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal. The symptoms of CO poisoning are the same as the flu, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. If you suspect CO poisoning or your CO detector goes off, get out of the house immediately. Dial 911 from a cellular phone outside of your home or a neighbor’s house.

Matthew Cassavechia, director of emergency medical services for the Western Connecticut Health Network — which includes Danbury and New Milford Hospitals — sees a lot of carbon monoxide cases after heavy power outages, like those caused by last October’s snowstorm. Like DPH, he said people need to be careful when using generators. “We really want the public to heed the warnings about carbon monoxide and generators,” he said.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention, visit the DPH Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment Program at www.ct.gov/dph/co or call (860) 509-7742.

Department of Health: Obesity prevalent among CT’s kindergarteners, third graders

Friday, October 26, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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About one third of Connecticut children in kindergarten and third grade are overweight or obese and about one out of every seven are obese, accord to a recent study by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

According to a press release put out by the department on Friday afternoon, the study was conducted in a sample of 74 elementary schools across the state from 2010 – 2011, and found that about 41 percent of non-Hispanic black and 43 percent of Hispanic children were overweight or obese, compared to 27 percent of non-Hispanic white children. The rates of overweight or obesity were similar among boys and girls. Obesity rates are significantly higher in lower- income community schools.

“The results of this study further illustrate the alarming rate of childhood obesity, especially among high risk groups such as low-income, black and Hispanic children,” stated DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen in the release. “Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop these serious chronic diseases at earlier ages that lead to premature disability, early death, loss of productivity and decreased quality of life.”

Over the past 30 years, the childhood obesity rate in America has almost tripled. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, approximately 17 percent of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years were already obese. Connecticut has long been one of the slimmer states, relatively speaking. Statistics released earlier this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that Connecticut was tied with New York and Nevada for the seventh lowest obesity rate in the country at 24.5 percent.

Derby schools to implement NuVal system

Thursday, October 18, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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Starting on Monday, Oct. 22, Derby Middle School and Derby High School will implement the NuVal food scoring system for food sold at the two institutions. The system, which is in place at supermarkets throughout the country, gives foods a score from 1 to 100 based on overall nutritional value (100 being the most nutritious and 1 denoting the least healthy items).

The scores are based on an algorithm created by Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby. The Derby School System is the first school system on the East Coast to implement NuVal. The system is already in place in cafeterias and vending machines in Missouri, Minnesota and Tennessee.

Katz will be at Derby High School Monday to discuss the system. Derby has been committed to healthy eating for some time. Last year, Derby and the rest of the districts in the Lower Naugatuck Valley teamed with Griffin Hospital and the Yale-Griffin Prevention Center to start the Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning Schools. The program’s mission is to develop, implement, evaluate and sustain a comprehensive Valleywide, school-based childhood and adolescent obesity prevention program that focuses on nutrition and physical activity.

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