09.19.14
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EV-D628

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a respiratory virus that has already spread to 10 U.S. states and is causing alarm due to the high number of infants, children and adolescents that are being hospitalized. The virus has been diagnosed recently causing respiratory problems, similar to the common cold, but often more severe.

  • Mild symptoms may include, and are not limited to, fever, runny nose, and sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.
  • More severe symptoms include difficulty breathing or wheezing. Individuals with a history of asthma or allergies are at higher risk for respiratory complications.

EV-D68 is found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, in addition through fecal contamination, and is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

There is no vaccine for EV-D68. Teach your patients and the community to practice preventative measures and avoid virus transmission by washing hands with soap and water after touching potentially contaminated surfaces and avoid close contact such as touching and shaking hands. In addition, the CDC suggests that surfaces, such as toys or doorknobs, be frequently disinfected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that anyone with respiratory illness should contact their health care provider or seek treatment in an emergency room if they experience any difficulty breathing, or if their symptoms are getting worse.

For more information visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html?s_cid=cdc_homepage_whatsnew_001

 

09.18.14
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Alzheimer’s Disease Forum

You are invited to the PA Department of Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Forum. This forum will take place on September 24, 2014 at the Holiday Inn on 4751 Lindle Road in Harrisburg. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the attached document and e-mail to dsmedley@pa.gov. If you do not wish to attend but know of somebody who would be interested, please forward this e-mail to them. This forum, held on September 24, will begin at 8:30 am and run until 2:00 pm. The forum will start with a brief message from Governor Tom Corbett. Following the Governor’s message, a presentation given by Randi Chapman will follow. After the presentation, participants will be divided into seven distinct “breakout” groups which will focus on several aspects of the PA State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Following the breakout groups, a lunch will be provided.

09.18.14
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RNs join Great Climate March Rally in Chicago & Fight Against Dangerous Pet Coke Piles

Chicago RN Rolanda Watson wants the pollution to stop.  

Earlier this month, she spoke out at the Climate March rally against petroleum coke piles that are poisoning residents and polluting her city’s South Side – all while corporations profit.

“As nurses, we work very hard to keep our communities healthy! We make sure mothers deliver healthy babies, and work to guarantee that those children are able to grow up healthy and whole.  But, the wrong-headed policy of this government undoes everything we do.  So, this is why I am here today, demanding something is done NOW!” she told the crowd of more than 300 gathered at Daley Plaza.

Chicago is one stop on the 3,000-mile Great Climate March across the country. It started in Los Angeles in March and is one of the biggest coast-to-coast marches in history.

National Nurses United RNs know firsthand how attacks on our environment threaten public health. That’s one reason why NNU members from across the country are speaking out for environmental justice and joining the Sept. 21 climate march in New York City.

In Chicago, Naomi Davis, the founder and director of Blacks in Green (BIG), an African-American environmental group, emceed the rally, which included Watson and a number of other speakers

The next day, the climate marchers walked through the South Side of Chicago to bring awareness of the fight nurses, residents and fellow activists are raging against the poisonous pet coke storage.  Watson’s clinic was once evacuated after a six-story high pet coke pile blew a huge dust cloud over the area.

RNs at anti-petcoke rally
In May, nurses held a protest to demand city officials declare an immediate moratorium on pet coke to protect city residents.

The marchers left sidewalk chalk messages in front of Alderman John Pope’s office. Next, they headed to the KCBX Terminal Co. gates where huge exposed pet coke piles are stored on the company’s property along the Calumet River. While holding a “die-in” at KCBX, an unauthorized train approached. The marchers took over the tracks, preventing the train from passing for about an hour.

Afterwards, the marchers proceeded to a neighborhood church, where they were hosted for the night. The group spoke with neighborhood activists and leaders about the work they’re doing to educate people about the dangers of pet coke and why it must be banned.