Month: August 2019

Naloxone Giveaway Days

The City of Philadelphia, in response to an emergency that has taken the lives of thousands of Philadelphians, disrupted the lives of tens of thousands more, and affected the lives of each and every one of us, recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day. In honor of this day, and to save as many lives as possible, the Health Department will be holding a series of naloxone giveaway days in September. International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31st every year that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-08-30-philadelphia-announces-free-naloxone-giveaway-days/

Mumps Update

While there are no reported cases of students contracting mumps during the summer, students should continue to practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, Perella added.

“A good lesson learned is keeping an eye out for travel-associated illnesses, especially at the start of the semester,” Perella said. “There’s also the distinct possibility that individuals can be infected from different sources. The virus is circulating abroad.”

https://temple-news.com/lessons-learned-temple-reflects-on-mumps-outbreak/

By Issalina Sagad

Maurice Willoughby Death

Inquirer

The investigation into Willoughby’s death is still pending, according to the city Department of Public Health. Police haven’t responded to a request for details.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/maurice-willoughby-died-by-suicide-after-viral-video-defending-transgender-girlfriend-20190822.html

By Anna Orso

Philadelphia Gay News

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, which oversees the Medical Examiner’s Office, said “Willoughby’s cause of death is still pending investigation at this time.”

http://www.epgn.com/news/local/15127-philly-man-dating-trans-woman-allegedly-dies-by-suicide-after-struggling-with-addiction-bullying

By Laura Smythe

Washington Post

Willoughby’s girlfriend said on an Instagram live stream last month that he had died. James Garrow, spokesman for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, said the medical examiner has not issued a final ruling on the cause of death.

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/09/07/actor-malik-yoba-wanted-support-an-upcoming-transgender-march-an-accusation-followed/

By Lateshia Beachum

Hep A Update

The number of confirmed cases this year stood at 196 as of last Friday, said Dr. Steven Alles, Philadelphia’s director of disease control. Typically, the city sees two to six cases per year. Several more possible cases are being investigated.

There is not one particular hot spot of infection in Philly. “We are seeing cases presented from all over the city,” Alles told Metro. Most of the cases are in people who report using drugs or being homeless. But in a third of the infections, risk factors are unknown.

https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/philadelphia/no-end-sight-hepatitis-emergency-philadelphia

By Michael Martin

Hep A Clinic at McPherson

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is dealing with a case of hepatitis A in Kensington, and the agency is offering free vaccines this week.

People and some beat cops lined up to get their shots at a table the health department set up at the edge of McPherson Park Tuesday. Some said they were reluctant.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/hepatitis-case-prompts-health-dept-urge-vaccination

By Paul Kurtz

Hep A in a Food Handler in Kensington

Release

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has recently confirmed that a person who works at the Imperial Kitchen, located at 3164 Frankford Avenue has acute Hepatitis A. While the risk of Hepatitis A infection is very low, the Health Department recommends that people who purchased food from Imperial Kitchen between Sunday, July 21st and Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 receive Hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible. People who have previously received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine OR have had Hepatitis A in the past do not need to be vaccinated.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-08-16-health-department-warns-of-potential-hepatitis-a-exposure-in-kensington/

Inquirer

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health on Friday said a worker at Imperial Kitchen, located at 3164 Frankford Ave., near E. Allegheny Avenue, was confirmed to have hepatitis A. The liver infection is spread through oral contact with infected feces — usually when an infected person does not thoroughly wash their hands after using the bathroom and then prepares food.

By Sarah Gantz

https://www.inquirer.com/health/hepatitis-a-outbreak-kensington-imperial-kitchen-20190816.html

Philly Voice

Health officials urged patrons of Imperial Kitchen, located at 3164 Frankford Ave., to receive a Hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible. They recently confirmed a food worker there has acute Hepatitis A, a liver virus that is be transmitted through contaminated food or water.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/hepatitis-a-expsoure-philadelphia-kensington-imperial-kitchen/

By Jon Kopp

CBS3

The health department is now recommending people who purchased food from Imperial Kitchen between Sunday, July 21 and Tuesday, Aug. 6 to get vaccinated. People who have previously received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine or have had Hepatitis A in the past do not need to be vaccinated.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/08/16/philadelphia-health-officials-warn-of-possible-hepatitis-a-exposure-at-kensington-chinese-takeout-restaurant/

By Staff

Opioid Epidemic and Infections

“People are injecting more often, they need more syringes, and they don’t necessarily have enough, and because of that they’re reusing syringes, which increases their risk,” said Lia Pizzicato, a substance-use epidemiologist for the city health department. “And then because they’re injecting so much, it’s difficult to find a vein, and they’re more likely to miss. It’s a cycle.”

https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-crisis-infections-strep-a-endocarditis-drug-use-philadelphia-20190809.html

By Aubrey Whelan

Queen Village Rats

James Garrow, a spokesperson for the city’s Health Department, said Vector Control is working to abate the Queen Village infestation. He said construction in the area seems to have exacerbated the problem. The city is also continuing to treat Lawncrest, where Garrow said treatment is “working and [Vector Control] will continue to follow up until the problem is solved.”

Garrow said removing trash and potential rodent shelters (think: tall grasses, creeping vines) are the two biggest steps communities can take to reduce a rat problem. Gardens with crops are another food source, he said — so be sure to pick your vegetables as soon as they’re ripe.

“If you can get rid of the food and lack of shelter, [rats will] generally move,” Garrow said.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/08/09/queen-village-rat-infestation/

By Claire Sasko