Health Awareness Events

Insect Bite Illnesses are on the Rise

Cases of illnesses transmitted by insect bites have increased significantly in recent years, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in May 2018. The agency emphasizes a need for the public to be vigilant in avoiding insect bites to lower the risk of these infections, especially during the summer months when biting insects are more active and/or when traveling to areas where the diseases are common.It is important to reduce the risk of these infections by avoiding insect bites. The CDC strongly recommends that everyone protect themselves from biting insects by taking precautions, such as:  Read more.

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Norovirus can spread rapidly and cause outbreaks in places such as cruise ships, daycare centers, college dorms, nursing homes, schools, and other places where food is served and people are in close quarters. Individuals living or staying in these settings are at higher risk for catching norovirus. Eating or drinking at a place where food and liquid handling is unsanitary is also a common cause of norovirus infection. Read More.

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Melanoma

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, but it is also the most serious. While only 4% of all skin cancers are melanoma, it causes 75% of skin cancer deaths.

While fair skinned people are more likely to develop melanoma, it can affect people of all skin colors. The number of new melanoma cases has been increasing over the last 30 years. From 1982 to 2011, the rate of melanoma in Americans doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 65,000 people were diagnosed and over 9,000 people died of melanomas of the skin in the U.S. in 2012.

Avoiding sun exposure and tanning beds is the best way to prevent melanoma. For people who develop melanoma, surgically removing the lesion is typically the first treatment option. Read More.