Category: Health Department stories

Temple Mumps Cases Up to 49

Philly Voice

The number of reported cases of the mumps at Temple University continued to rise this week, and the Philadelphia school is taking new steps to try and curb the spread.

Nearly 50 students have either tested positive or been listed as probable for mumps, Temple’s Student Health Services announced Friday. Twelve students have tested positive, and another 37 have been listed as probable.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/mumps-cases-temple-university-49-school-vaccination-requirements/

By Adam Hermann

CBS3

Associated Press

Health officials say there are at least 46 cases of the mumps at Temple University and three others from surrounding counties, the most cases in the city since 2010.

That’s up from 16 cases reported last week.

The Department of Public Health for Philadelphia said Friday it recommends anyone experiencing fever, headache, jaw pain or fatigue see their regular or campus doctor.

Spokesman James Garrow said the effectiveness of the mumps vaccination tends to wane over time so it’s not necessarily a case of unvaccinated people.

https://www.apnews.com/dc05250c39db4129bc1f0a9ecdd812ab

By Staff

6ABC

Doctor Kristen Feemster, medical director of the immunization and communicable diseases program of the Philadelphia Health Department, says several factors may be making mumps more likely at universities.

“Over time, your immune response might decrease a little bit – probably about the time you’re a young adult, and on a college campus,” Dr. Feemster says.

“A college campus is a close-knit community, where there are probably more opportunities for transmission than you might have in other places,” she adds. Doctor Kristen Feemster, medical director of the immunization and communicable diseases program of the Philadelphia Health Department, says several factors may be making mumps more likely at universities.

“Over time, your immune response might decrease a little bit – probably about the time you’re a young adult, and on a college campus,” Dr. Feemster says.

“A college campus is a close-knit community, where there are probably more opportunities for transmission than you might have in other places,” she adds.

https://6abc.com/health/cases-in-temple-mumps-outbreak-now-up-to-49/5193470/

KYW

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, working with Temple University Student Health Services, said 46 of the cases are in Philadelphia, and the other three are from surrounding counties.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/temple-university-reports-cases-mumps-now-49

By Kim Glovas

Brotherly Love Report

Release

PHILADELPHIA–The City of Philadelphia has issued a brand-new report, Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia. This first-ever report is intended to highlight the unique challenges faced by Black men in Philadelphia today and lay the groundwork for actionable steps we all can take to improve their health outcomes.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/press-release-health-department-and-office-of-black-male-engagement-announce-first-ever-report-on-health-of-black-men-and-boys-in-philadelphia

WHYY

The full report, Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia, is available for download. City epidemiologist Raynard Washington said the statistics are meant to serve as a kind of blueprint to direct resources.

“Black men represent 20 percent of the population in Philadelphia — that’s a large proportion, a large share of the population,” Washington said. “So really thinking about how do we ensure that there is a complete wraparound [of] both services as well as supports and opportunity for them is important.”

https://whyy.org/articles/new-report-grades-the-health-of-black-males-in-philadelphia/

By Jad Sleiman

Inquirer

“The first step to solving any problem is drawing attention to it,” said Thomas Farley, city health commissioner. “The Brotherly Love report shows that, while Philadelphia has many initiatives to promote health, African American men are still not as healthy as other demographic groups and not as healthy as they could be.”

https://www.philly.com/health/black-men-life-expectancy-philly-20190314.html

By Rita Giordano

Philly Voice

A new report released Thursday by Philadelphia health officials shines a direct spotlight on the challenges faced by the city’s black men and boys.

The inaugural report, dubbed “Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia,” revealed a mixture of positive and negative health findings.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/life-expectancy-philly-black-men-racial-demographic-health-challenges/

By Jon Kopp

Philly Tribune

“Black men and boys have been experiencing disparate health outcomes for quite some time and in many areas we are seeing some improvements, “ said Dr. Raynard Washington, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s chief epidemiologist.

“In some ways, things are improving for Black men and boys, but there is still a gap between their health outcomes and others.”

 

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said in a news release, “The first step to solving any problem is drawing attention to it.

https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/report-life-expectancy-for-black-men-is-lower-than-any/article_c99d33c3-a53b-5006-975d-d6e6ec7bce99.html

By Ayana Jones

Philadelphia Sun

The City of Philadelphia has issued a brand-new report, “Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia.” This first-ever report is intended to highlight the unique challenges faced by Black men in Philadelphia today and lay the groundwork for actionable steps we all can take to improve their health outcomes.

https://www.philasun.com/health/philadelphia-issues-first-ever-report-on-the-health-outcomes-of-black-men-and-boys/

Temple Mumps Cases Up to 23

Fox29

The Department of Public Health for Philadelphia said the effectiveness of the mumps vaccination tends to wane over time so it’s not necessarily a case of unvaccinated people.

Spokesman James Garrow says the outbreaks tend to be more common on college campuses where people are more closely in contact.

http://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/officials-23-diagnosed-with-mumps-at-temple-university

By Staff

CBSPhilly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Officials say there are now 23 confirmed mumps cases in Philadelphia and surrounding counties linked to the Temple University outbreak.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/03/12/23-confirmed-mumps-cases-linked-temple-university-outbreak/

By Staff

NBC10

The total number of mumps cases at Philadelphia’s Temple University has increased to 23. The total includes 11 confirmed cases and 12 probable cases, the university said Tuesday.

Of the 23 cases, 20 are in Philadelphia and three are in surrounding counties but are associated with Temple, Philadelphia Department of Public Health spokesman James Garrow said Tuesday.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Temple-University-Mumps-507043851.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_PHBrand

By Staff

KYW

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia health department is reporting that the number of mumps cases originating from Temple University is now 23.

Health department spokesman Jim Garrow says 20 cases are confirmed in the City of Philadelphia and three have been reported in the suburbs.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/mumps-cases-originating-temple-university-now-23

By Kim Glovas

6ABC

The Philadelphia Health Department says there are now 23 cases tied to the mumps outbreak reported at Temple University.

It’s the city’s largest outbreak of the mumps since 2011, but it may not due to students skipping vaccines.

https://6abc.com/health/23-mumps-cases-now-connected-to-temple-outbreak/5186878/

By Christie Ileto

Temple News

The policy change follows a mumps outbreak that the university announced on Feb. 28. As of Tuesday, there are 23 total Temple-related mumps cases. Jim Garrow, the director of communications for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, told The Temple News there are 20 cases in Philadelphia and three in the suburbs.

https://temple-news.com/temple-will-require-vaccines-for-incoming-students/

By Kelly Brennan

Inquirer

Temple reported that there were 11 confirmed cases and 12 probable cases. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said it was now counting the two categories as one because the outbreak of the highly infectious disease is established and the agency has stopped recommending that people get tested for confirmation.

“If someone reports to Student Health with symptoms consistent with mumps we are counting them as a case,” said agency spokesperson James Garrow.

https://www.philly.com/news/mumps-temple-university-20190312.html

By Robert Moran

Marketing PrEP to African American Women

To address that, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health recently launched a “Philly, Keep on Loving” campaign promoting awareness of PrEP.

“Even though PrEP may not be right for all Philadelphians, it’s important to consider it a part of sexual-health planning, along with condoms and birth control,” said Caitlin Conyngham, HIV prevention coordinator with the Department of Public Health.

https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-wants-to-get-the-hiv-prevention-pill-to-women-most-at-risk/

By Trenae Nuri

Community Health Needs Assessments

Raynard Washington, chief epidemiologist at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, which leads the collaborative, said only a handful of communities across the country have taken such an approach, but the most obvious benefit is the reduction of duplicate efforts, costs and other burdens for those involved, including the communities.

“In most cases, health systems do not serve communities in isolation. As such, developing priorities and strategies to address community needs should not occur in isolation,” he said. “Our hope is that a collaborative assessment of priorities for improving the health and well-being of communities will result in further collaboration on implementing strategies to address those priorities.”

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190308/hospitals-team-up-seek-input-on-communities-health-needs

By Jenny Wagner

Unclaimed Veterans’ Bodies Services

It was unknown how many unclaimed remains of veterans are at the morgue at any given time, officials said. If a body is identified but family cannot be located, the Medical Examiner’s Office will have the remains cremated after 90 days, sooner if the family is found but unable or unwilling to make funeral arrangements.

https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/us-soldiers-veterans-military-unknown-funerals-guardians-national-cemetery-washington-crossing-20190307.html

By Melanie Burney

Temple Mumps Update

Inquirer

As health officials feared, the mumps outbreak that began at Temple University last week is spreading.

As of Tuesday, the Philadelphia Health Department confirmed 16 students had the contagious disease.

https://www.philly.com/health/mumps-temple-university-outbreak-montgomery-county-contagious-20190305.html

By Aneri Pattani

Fox News

Health officials at Temple University have recorded 16 confirmed cases of mumps, a highly infectious disease that causes symptoms similar to the flu. While Philadelphia’s health department said it expects the number to remain at 16, anyone with potential symptoms is encouraged to contact the student health department.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/officials-confirm-16-cases-of-mumps-linked-to-temple-university

By Alexandria Hein

Fox29

Sixteen people tied to Temple University have tested positive for mumps, health officials confirmed Wednesday.

Philadelphia’s health department expects the total number of cases to remain at 16.

http://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/officials-7-temple-university-students-test-positive-for-mumps-1

By Staff

AP

The Department of Public Health for Philadelphia said Thursday the effectiveness of the mumps vaccination tends to wane over time so it’s not necessarily a case of unvaccinated people.

Spokesman James Garrow says the outbreaks tend to be more common on college campuses where people are more closely in contact.

https://www.apnews.com/d7d77b5076fd4c39ac7795f33fedcc51

By Staff

Philly Voice

The Department of Public Health for Philadelphia said Thursday the effectiveness of the mumps vaccination tends to wane over time so it’s not necessarily a case of the disease being spread by people who are unvaccinated. Spokesman James Garrow adds that outbreaks tend to be more common on college campuses where people are more closely in contact, CBS affiliate WSBT reports.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/temple-university-mumps-outbreak-cases-montgomery-county-measles-vaccination/

By Bailey King

WHYY

Despite its location in the middle of North Philadelphia, Temple’s mumps outbreak doesn’t present an increased risk to city residents at large, said Kristen Feemster, medical director for the immunization and acute communicable diseases program at the city’s Department of Public Health.

The flulike illness spreads easily among people living in close quarters, she said, so college campuses are particularly vulnerable.

“A college campus is a setting where there are a lot of social events and a lot of opportunities for close contact and potential transmission,” Feemster said.

https://whyy.org/articles/after-mumps-outbreak-temple-will-require-new-students-to-be-vaccinated/

By Joel Wolfram

Buprenorphine Ad Campaign

Release

Earlier today, the Commissioners of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities Services and Philadelphia Department of Public Health jointly announced a new mass media and digital advertising campaign intended to encourage people suffering from opioid use disorder, and their family and friends, to learn about medication-assisted treatment.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/press-releasecity-announces-new-bupe-works-ad-campaign-to-encourage-people-to-get-into-treatment?e=[UNIQID]

NBC10

The Philadelphia Health Department has launched a new campagin to fight the opioid epidemic. The ads show the real faces of people in recovery. Ronald McAdams, who is featured in the campagin, says he hopes he can help others get help by sharing his story.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/New-Campaign-To-Fight-Opioids_Philadelphia-506755272.html

WHYY

City officials don’t have a good sense of how many people use heroin every day in Philadelphia. Their lowest estimate is 50,000, and it could be as many as double that. Farley said this campaign is designed for all people who use heroin, not just those who are homeless on the streets of Kensington.

“That’s not your typical people who are using heroin,” he said. “Most of the people who are injecting drugs are living at home, many are employed, so they are in many ways a hidden population.”

https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-promotes-buprenorphine-for-opioid-addiction-treatment/

By Nina Feldman

Philly Voice

“We need a media campaign to reach all the people in Philadelphia who might not be aware of this,” Department of Public Health Commissioner Tom Farley said.

The $200,000 ad campaign will include television and radio spots, print ads, social media posts and ads placed at Frankford Transportation Center and on bus shelters. It also includes three billboard advertisements – two along I-95 and another on Route 1.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/philly-launches-media-campaign-touting-medication-assisted-treatment-opioid-addiction/

By John Kopp

Inquirer

Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said that despite an encouraging decline in deaths, Philadelphia’s opioid epidemic is still at crisis levels. The new campaign is being aimed at the estimated 50,000 to 100,000 heroin users in Philadelphia.

“Although our public image of people who are using heroin is people who are homeless on the street in Kensington, that’s not your typical people who are using heroin,” he said. “Most of the people who are injecting drugs are living at home, many are employed — they’re in many ways a hidden population. A hidden population we need to reach.”

https://www.philly.com/health/opioid-addiction-buprenorphine-treatment-philadelphia-20190305.html

By Aubrey Whelan

KYW

Advertising has proven effective at getting people to consume things. But will it work to get people to stop consuming drugs? Philadelphia health officials are hoping the answer is yes.

Officials have launched an ad campaign proclaiming “BUPE works.” BUPE, or buprenorphine, is medically assisted treatment for addiction and the target audience is drug users who are ready to give it a try.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/ad-campaign-hopes-get-drug-addicts-medically-assisted-treatment

By Pat Loeb

Inquirer Editorial Board

That’s why the Departments of Public Health and Behavioral Health are launching a $200,000 ad campaign in English and Spanish to raise awareness about the availability of medications that treat opioid addiction. The ads feature Philadelphians in recovery who use buprenorphine, or “bupe,” with the slogan, “Bupe works.” (The campaign directs people interested in treatment to call 888-545-2600 or visit www.BupeWorks.org.)

https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/awarness-campaign-bupernorphine-methadone-access-medication-assisted-treatment-mat-20190308.html

By Editorial Board

The Rise of Fentanyl and Fighting Against It

Overdoses linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, killed nearly 30,000 people in the United States in 2017. Authorities say most fentanyl sold in the state of Pennsylvania can be traced back to China. We went to Kensington, an area considered a “ground zero” of America’s opioid crisis, in the Pennsylvanian city of Philadelphia, to find out how a drug funneled through from China is fueling a health crisis half a world away.

https://www.scmp.com/video/china/2188334/fighting-fentanyl-drug-china-destroying-american-lives

By Xinyan Yu