Even though it’s August, there’s still plenty of summer sunshine to enjoy and plenty of opportunities to keep yourself and your family healthy and safe. Last month, we covered West Nile virus and the situation with H1N1 flu, and I urge you to watch for updates on our Web site, www.elpasocountyhealth.org.Here are some more important summer health tips:Rabies: You don’t hear much about rabies anymore, primarily because rabies is not common among domestic animals, thanks to vaccination efforts. But rabies always is present in bat populations, and public health experts are seeing a resurgence of rabies among other wild mammals, particularly skunks. That’s important, because while most people don’t see or touch bats, people and pets are likely to encounter skunks periodically, particularly if the skunks are sick and acting strangely. Rabies is fatal without medical intervention immediately after exposure. The number of skunk rabies cases is increasing in the state, and we have a confirmed case of rabies found in a skunk in El Paso County. The best protection you have from rabies is to avoid contact with wild animals and to vaccinate cats, dogs and ferrets and discuss vaccinating your livestock with your veterinarian. If rabies can’t infect animals you have contact with, it can’t get to you. It’s that simple.The sun and skin cancer: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer – one in five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime in their lives. Yet, skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer. For prevention, the American Cancer Society’s slogan is “Slip, Slop, Slap.” Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and slap on a hat. Also, try to avoid the sun during the peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Protect your eyes with sunglasses.Recreational waterborne illnesses: Pools, spas and lakes can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause illness. The most common is cryptosporidium, which is resistant to chlorine and causes the majority of waterborne illness outbreaks in the United States. For prevention, don’t let anyone in your family swim if they have diarrhea. Always shower with your swimwear on before and after you swim to remove germs. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Don’t let pool or spa water enter your mouth.Don’t leave kids or pets or anyone in a vehicle: It’s so tempting to just leave a sleeping child or pet in the car for a minute while you run an errand. But it’s too dangerous to take a chance. Even when outside temperatures are a mild 72 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise more than 3 degrees per minute. Infants and children cannot regulate their body temperatures as well as adults, which makes them especially vulnerable to heat stroke and, possibly, death. In addition, children can be abducted if they are left in cars alone, or they may accidentally release parking brakes, put cars in gear or otherwise put cars in motion. In 2006, nationwide, 29 children died of hyperthermia (overheating) because they were left in motor vehicles. For prevention, never leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle, regardless of weather, even if the windows are down. Children should be supervised at all times.Summer also is a time to prevent foodborne illness and protect yourself from other diseases and/or injuries. For more helpful prevention tips, please visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org.
