ODP Issues Summer Heat Safety Alert
Health Alert
ODP Shares Health Alert on West Nile Virus and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases in PA
DOH Issues Health Alert on Lyme Disease and Other Tickborne Diseases in PA
ODP Health Alert Issued on FDA Drug Safety Communication
ODP Health Alert Regarding Possible Measles Exposure
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a Health Alert regarding possible measles exposure. The department is sharing this with stakeholders for awareness. You can view the alert for further information on measles, including symptoms, prevention methods, and available resources.
DOH Issues Air Quality Health Alert
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued Health Alert – PAHAN – 702-06-07-ADV, Air Quality Alert — Wildfire Smoke. Wildfires in Canada and current weather conditions are bringing wildfire smoke into our region. Health effects from wildfire smoke, or PM2.5 exposure, include respiratory symptoms and effects, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and cardiovascular effects.
Poor air quality may increase visits and calls to doctor’s offices as well as visits to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and hospitalizations.
Please review the Pennsylvania Department of Health Alert for more detailed information. The website AirNow and the AirNow mobile app can provide additional information.
ODP Issues Health Alert Regarding 911 and Medical Emergencies
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has issued a revised Health Alert to emphasize the need to avoid delay in seeking emergency medical care.
There are two key issues in reducing this risk for delay:
- Recognizing a medical emergency. Correctly interpreting and acting on these signs could potentially save a life.
- Seeking immediate attention for the emergency. With medical emergencies, time is of the essence.
Current provider policies should not instruct staff to contact a supervisor prior to calling 911 in an emergency. Failure to call 911, which can result in treatment delays, may contribute to serious injury or death of an individual that otherwise may have been prevented if 911 was called. This Health Alert is intended to help providers and staff respond to medical emergencies by contacting 911 without delay.
For more information, see the updated Health Alert.
ODP Health Report: Easy Care First Aid Burn Cream Recalled Due to Potential Contamination
The Office of Developmental Programs is issuing this Health Alert to bring awareness that GFA Production (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Easy Care First Aid® AfterBurn® Cream, 0.9 g single-use packets. FDA analysis found the product to be contaminated with Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus sonorensis.
This recall is to the consumer level. The single use packets are sold in:
- boxes of 10; or
- packaged in certain First Aid kits.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a Safety Communication that provides additional details and information, including guidance for people who have used or have purchased the affected product and their caregivers.
If you have used or have purchased one of these affected products, talk to your health care provider to decide on a suitable alternative and discuss if additional treatment is necessary because of using the recalled products. Additionally, please follow the recommendations provided by the FDA.
Where to Learn More:
ODP Health Alert: Ongoing Measles Outbreak in Columbus, Ohio
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has reported that currently there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio. The first case was identified October 22, 2022, and as of December 20, there are over 80 confirmed cases. There is concern that there will be cases spreading into neighboring states, including Pennsylvania.
The measles outbreak in Ohio, combined with the predicted seasonal increase in internationally-imported measles cases, is of special concern. In the United States, most cases of measles occur in people who have travelled abroad and import measles into the United States. Typically, the number of these cases increases from midwinter through spring.
Read the Health Alert to learn more.
ODP Health Alert: Monkeypox Virus Facts
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency due to rising cases across the United States. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this Health Alert based on information available from the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help create awareness about monkeypox.
