Note regarding staff
e-mail address changes

New Environmental Health Fee Schedule.

CDC answers your questions about
MRSA in the schools.

June 26, 2008 -- Test for HIV to Help Prevent Spread of Virus
Hayden, ID — Panhandle Health District (PHD) urges northern Idaho residents to take 15 minutes this summer for a Rapid HIV test that could provide peace of mind or enable them to start medications before the AIDS-causing virus gains strength.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. PHD offers tests that provide results in as little as 15 minutes and cost from $35 to $55, depending on a client’s income.

“The earlier you find out you are HIV positive, the earlier you start medications and the healthier your life can be,” says Donna Marshall-Holden, who coordinates PHD’s sexually transmitted disease and HIV program.
 Read the whole story...

June 19, 2008 - Grant Enables Child Abuse Prevention Program to Continue
Hayden, ID -- Panhandle Health District (PHD) registered nurses will share their expertise in the homes of about 120 northern Idaho families in the next year with the help of the Archie B. Teater Fund for Children with Disabilities in the Idaho Community Foundation.

The fund awarded $2,500 to PHD’s Home Visiting program. The grant will enable PHD nurses to offer parenting education and support and community resources and referrals in the homes of families with high-risk infants and/or toddlers. Nurses also will assess conditions in the homes. Read the whole story...

Special -
The species of mosquito that carries West Nile virus has spared northern Idaho so far. It swarmed the rest of the state in 2006, sickening nearly 1,000 people and contributing to 23 deaths. Read the whole story...

June 6, 2008 - Lake Coeur d'Alene Safe for Swimming
Hayden, ID -- Based on water quality tests by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Panhandle Health District (PHD) has determined that Lake Coeur d'Alene is safe for swimming after recent flooding. Read the whole story...

May 22, 2008 - Good Hygiene Helps Protect from Flood Water Contaminants
Hayden, ID -- Panhandle Health District (PHD) advises people working in flood waters to wash themselves and their clothes well before entering their homes to reduce the possibility of spreading contaminants from the water.

“Because of unknown contaminants in the water, you want to take extra precautions,” says Dale Peck, director of PHD’s environmental health division. “Before eating and drinking, wash well so you don’t ingest bacteria, fuel, anything that might be in the water.” Read the whole story...

May 9, 2008 - Vaccination is the Best Protection Against Measles
Hayden, ID -- Confirmation of measles, a highly contagious virus, in Central Washington has prompted Panhandle Health District (PHD) to advise people to verify that they and their children are current on measles vaccinations.

“Measles is a very serious, old-fashioned childhood disease that can have some very bad side effects for some kids,” said Randi Lustig, PHD’s epidemiology program manager. “People should make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date.” Read the whole story...

April 25, 2008 - Good Hygiene Helps Prevent Norovirus Spread
Hayden, ID -- After several recent outbreaks of Norovirus, a virus that can cause Gastroenteritis or what is sometimes called the “stomach flu,” the Panhandle Health District (PHD) is reminding people to protect themselves and others by washing their hands frequently and disinfecting household surfaces.

“We know Norovirus is present in the community and it’s unpleasant to have,” says Randi Lustig, program manager of PHD’s epidemiology department. “We want the public aware that it can have particularly detrimental effects on the elderly and infants.”  Read the whole story...

Special -
When people raised concerns about possible mold in one of the Lake Pend Oreille School District's schools last year, Superintendent Dick Cvitanich went further than investigating the alleged problem.
Following a recommendation from the district's facilities director, Cvitanich invited a team from the Environmental Protection Agency to check all the district's buildings. Read the whole story.

April 11, 2008 -- Foundation Offers Money for Public Health
Hayden-The Panhandle Public Health Foundation is accepting applications from non-profit organizations and governmental agencies in Idaho's five northern counties for a total of $3,000 in grants to help with public health services.
The Panhandle Public Health Foundation is a non-profit corporation that began in 2004 to support current and new innovative programs that improve the health of Panhandle communities. It raises money through donations and charitable events, such as its annual Pedalin' for Public Health bike ride in August. PPHF awarded $2,000 in grants last year. In 2008, the foundation will award one $3,000 grant or two $1,500 grants. Applications are due by May 30. Applications can be downloaded here.

March 20, 2008 -- Panhandle Health District Launches
Child Abuse Prevention Month Events
Hayden, ID -- Dignitaries and fields of colorful pinwheels available for picking will kick off a month of springtime events designed to raise public awareness in northern Idaho that child abuse is preventable.
Read the whole story...

Special -
Dave Braucht gave himself a present the day before his 50th birthday: a pass to a longer, healthier life. It didn't come easily.
It began with a colonoscopy, a test that screens the large intestine for polyps, which are growths of extra tissue. Dave's birthday experience included a polyp, a diagnosis of cancer, surgery and a terrified wife. But it ended in celebration. Dave's cancer was local, removed, hadn't spread and required no further treatment because he had enabled doctors to catch it early. Read the whole story...

Soap up! The 12 germiest places in your life.
Could your purse be making you sick?
Sure, there are outbreaks of microbes and viruses across the country, but some of these germs are lurking where you least expect them. “Health” magazine senior editor Frances Largeman-Roth pinpoints the 12 germiest places you’re likely to encounter during an average day and devises ways for you to keep clean. After all, the fight is in your hands. Literally. Eighty percent of infections are spread through hand contact. So wash up, people, and get ready to wage a bit of germ warfare of your own.
Read The full story...

Current Health Topics

• Pandemic Flu
• Avian Flu
• West Nile Virus
• Pandemic and Avian Influenza Resources
• Communicable Disease Reporting
• Septic Flow Rule Making Portal

Hayden
Kootenai County
8500 N. Atlas Road
Hayden, ID 83835