Month: August 2023

Overdose Awareness Day

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

Today we acknowledge International Overdose Awareness Day 2023.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) theme for 2023 is “recognizing those people who go unseen.” Through this theme we recognize friends of family who are grieving the loss of loved ones, healthcare and support workers who show up with strength and compassion, and anyone who responds to an overdose and assumes the role of a life saver.

To these people, we say #weseeyou, as your voices are the ones we should amplify, and your strength and experience should be held up as examples to us all. Too often, however, these populations are left to bear the burden of this crisis alone and in silence.

Today, lets acknowledge and support the people in our communities who go unacknowledged by raising awareness of the hidden impacts of overdose and promoting overdose prevention.

If you are in need of Narcan (the opioid overdose reversal medication) you can visit our office at 1108 S.W. 4th St in Ontario during business hours and pick some up for free.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, our peer support specialists are here to help. Call our office at 541-889-7279 to speak with a Certified Recovery Mentor.

You can also find resources for overdose prevention, awareness, and advocacy at International Overdose Awareness Day’s website.

Malheur Preschool Programs

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

We are fortunate in Malheur County to have many excellent preschool providers! One program still has open private pay spots ($300/month) in Ontario and Vale. Call Stephanie at 541-406-3039 for more information on this opportunity and see the flyer below.

Other programs also have preschool spots depending on eligibility. For more general information, fill out the Interest Form here and someone from the Eastern Oregon Early Learning and Care Network will contact you.

Whether you’re a parent or an early childhood care provider, resources can be scarce and difficult to find. Dealing with a dozen different agencies to find information can leave you frustrated while trying to support the children in your care. The Eastern Oregon Early Learning and Care Network partners with parents and early childhood care professionals to provide them an easy path to relief, hope, and success in the form of centralized information, helpful resources, essential education, and personalized support.

Flood Advisory Continues

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

The National Weather Service has updated the Flood Advisory affecting Malheur County as of 1:11 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023. “Heavy rain has caused rises in numerous small streams. In addition, ponding of water in low spots and in poor drainage areas will continue this afternoon. Radar indicates moderate rain will continue for another couple of hours before tapering off late this afternoon.” The flood advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. and a flood watch is in effect until midnight today.

In the event of an emergency, or during high water flows, information on flood warnings can be found at the National Weather Service website, at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/ and be sure to sign up for AlertSense for local alerts.

Sign up for AlertSense here.

AlertSense allows emergency response agencies to issue emergency alerts to warn citizens of events such as severe weather, fire, flooding, hazardous materials, need for immediate evacuation, civil danger, local area emergencies, and missing persons. You can indicate the types of alerts and notifications you would like to receive and your preferred contact methods. Enter your address or zipcode to receive advanced warning of severe weather or emergencies that directly impact the area in which you live or work.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our cities and county! Follow Malheur County Emergency Management on Facebook here.

Excessive Heat Alert

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

If you live in Malheur County and did not receive a text message or email today about a heat warning in our area and would like to, sign up for AlertSense here to receive alerts from public safety agencies, providing advanced warning of life threatening events and emergencies.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Malheur County for Tuesday, August 15th and Wednesday, August 16th. All of Malheur County will experience “Elevated” heat risk for both days, and parts of Malheur County will reach “Significant” heat risk for those days.

Temperatures expected for these days are 103 degrees on Tuesday and 105 degrees on Wednesday. Thursday is shaping up to be the same with 104 degree temperatures.

Avoid spending long periods of time doing strenuous work in the hot sun. Be sure to stay hydrated. Go to the Malheur County Emergency Management Facebook page for information on cooling shelters. https://www.facebook.com/malheurco.org/

August Is National Breastfeeding Month

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and all of August is National Breastfeeding Month!

World Breastfeeding Week is a global campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage, and galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues since 1992. This year, WBW focuses on breastfeeding and employment/work. Breastfeeding is one of the best investments in children’s and women’s health and survival. Breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 annual deaths in children younger than 5 years and 20,000 annual maternal deaths from breast cancer. However, workplace limitations remain the most common reason for women to never breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended.

Key messages to remember and promote:

  • All working mothers need adequate maternity leave if they are to practice optimal breastfeeding. They should receive appropriate breaks, work-site facilities and support to breastfeed and express and store breastmilk.
  • Breastfeeding is teamwork and both parents need information and support for their different roles. Access to adequate paternity and parental leave can allow the non-breastfeeding parent to have time to share household responsibilities and provide other support to enable the mother to breastfeed.
  • When maternity and parental leave policies are implemented, they can improve breastfeeding. There is a need to mobilize resources to advocate, monitor, evaluate, and enforce policies that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding and the rights of parents and children.
  • Parents need support from the whole society to enable breastfeeding. A warm chain of support for breastfeeding needs to be established including the health sector, workplace and community.
  • The Malheur County Health Department WIC and Home Visiting teams can help! Call us at 541-889-7279 for more information on our free programs.

Additional resources that could be included if you need more information.

Additional Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Malheur County

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

The Oregon State University Veterinary Laboratory confirmed West Nile virus (WNV) in two additional mosquito traps located between Vale and Ontario. This will bring the total of positive mosquito traps to seven for Malheur County in 2023.

Communities and individuals living in or spending significant time outdoors, particularly near irrigated land, waterways, standing water, and used tires—including those working in agriculture, such as migrant and seasonal farm workers—may be at increased risk of mosquito bites and related diseases.

It is important that you contact your health care provider if you experience symptoms of fever, weakness, mental confusion. Neuroinvasive diseases is especially of concern to people 50 and older, people with immune-compromising conditions, and people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Health care providers can contact the Malheur County Health Department for information on West Nile virus testing.

Emilio DeBess, public health veterinarian offers these tips for protecting yourself against mosquitoes:

  • Eliminate sources of standing water that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, including watering troughs, bird baths, ornamental ponds, buckets, wading and swimming pools not in use, and old tires.
  • When engaged in outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, protect yourself by using mosquito repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or Picardin, and follow the directions on the container.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas.
  • Make sure screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for WNV. Horses with neurologic disease should be examined by a veterinarian. West Nile testing for animals is available through Oregon State University.

Additional information about West Nile virus:

Oregon Health Authority website: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Spotlight on Immunization Program

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

Immunizations are an excellent way to protect yourself and your family against many diseases. Age-appropriate immunization starts at birth and continues through adulthood, with special emphasis through age two. At the Malheur County Health Department (MCHD), our team is here to help protect you and your family from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Call us at 541-889-7279 to schedule an appointment.

Vaccines available at MCHD:

  • DTaP
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hib
  • HPV
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Meningococcal
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Pneumonia
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Td, Tdap (Tetanus, whooping cough)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • COVID-19
  • Monkypox

Vaccine schedule:

Getting vaccines paid for:

Most insurances cover the full cost of vaccines. There are special programs for those who don’t have insurance.

Vaccine for Children (VFC) program:  

A federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay, qualifications:

  • Ages 0-18 years old
  • Enrolled in Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
  • No insurance or underinsured (a child who has health insurance, but the coverage does not include vaccines; a child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines)
  • American Indian/Alaskan Native

317 program:

Part of a federally funded program for adults 19 and older with no insurance or insurance that does not include immunization coverage. Only certain vaccines are covered, and others are only covered under special circumstances*.

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hib*
  • MMR*
  • Pneumonia
  • Td, Tdap
  • Varicella*
  • Other vaccines with permission from the Oregon Immunization Program*

School and child care immunization:

Vaccines are required by law for children in attendance at public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon. Here at the Malheur County Health Department, we send exclusion orders to parents/guardians for incomplete or insufficient records. If the child does not get required vaccines or submit an exemption, they will be excluded from school until that document is submitted to the school.

2023 school-age vaccine data:

2023 younger-than school age vaccine data:

Additional Resources:

988 Lifeline Anniversary

/ Malheur County / Leave a comment

It’s been nearly one year since the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline! Oregon’s crisis call centers answered more than 53,000 calls, texts and chats between July 16, 2022, and June 30, 2023.

Recently, the federal government announced the addition of Spanish text and chat services. People who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988 or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org. 

Calling or texting 988 connects people with immediate behavioral health support. 988 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing compassionate care and support for people experiencing any type of mental health challenge, substance use crisis or thoughts of suicide or self-harm. People can also contact 988 for advice to support their loved ones, as well as get connections for local behavioral health care and referrals.

“We want everyone in Oregon to know that there’s always someone to talk to when you or your loved ones need help or are in crisis,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke. “If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 988. It is free to call, text or chat with 988. Counselors will value your privacy, offer support and help you access further behavioral health care if you need or want it.”

Oregon’s call centers are meeting the needs of Oregonians in crisis, answering 988 calls within an average of 15 seconds. This wait time is after callers hear a national, pre-recorded menu of options to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line (press 1), receive support in Spanish (press 2) or get specialized support for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults (press 3).

Learn more about 988 in Oregon on OHA’s 988 web page. Watch a video on what to expect when you call 988. Find more information on 988, nationally, including social media and promotional materials in English and Spanish, through SAMHSA’s 988 Partner Toolkit.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.