The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, the fifth positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year. On Sunday, May 12, 2019, PCSO received a call in reference to a Winter Haven resident who stepped on a bat that was on theContinue Reading
Florida gas prices declined an average of 7 cents during the past week. The state average has declined the past 9 consecutive days for a total decline of 8 cents. Sunday’s state average of $2.71 per gallon is 7 cents less than a week ago, 8 cents less than a monthContinue Reading
Naegleria fowleri, or the “brain-eating amoeba” is a parasite commonly found in warm freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and of the 140 or so known cases in the US, 35 are from Florida alone. Associate Professor of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at USF Health in Tampa, Sandra Gompf, MD,Continue Reading
Pasco County health officials have identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at ICON Gentlemen’s Club in Hudson. Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG) may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure. This has prompted officials to recommend hepatitis A vaccination forContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has reported a confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) case in a eight year old quarter horse in Polk County. The horse presented with symptoms on April 24 and was humanely euthanized due to poor prognosis. So far in 2019, Florida health officials have reported EEEContinue Reading
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is debuting a Mexican-inspired burger, “La Fiesta Grande Burger”. The burger is a half-pound Boulevard Burger stacked with a chorizo patty, pepper jack cheese, tomato, avocado, chipotle mayo, and tortilla strips served on a potato bun. The $13.95 “LaContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOHPinellas) is investigating a measles case in a 72-year-old male with international travel to Asia. Anyone older than 12 months of age should receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for protection. Vaccines are provided at no cost at DOH-Pinellas clinics toContinue Reading
Florida is one of some 18 states experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak, reporting 1359 cases since 2018. The Tampa Bay area has been especially hard hit by the outbreak with five counties accounting for more than half the state total. Pinellas County has seen the most statewide with 300 cases,Continue Reading
Since 2013, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have all sharply increased – with more than two million of these infections reported in 2017 alone. Each April, federal, state and local health departments observe STD Awareness Month to spread the word about what sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are and how they impact people’s lives,Continue Reading
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., plans to push more Republicans to support paid parental leave, a policy that has traditionally been a Democratic priority. “We are hoping that we can continue to work to preach the gospel of paid family leave within our own party and sort of reframe the orthodoxyContinue Reading
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an update on the outbreak of life-threatening coagulopathy associated with synthetic cannabinoids use this week and year-to-date, Florida has reported six cases. Since the index patient with hypocoagulopathy associated with synthetic cannabinoids use was identified on March 8, 2018 in Illinois,Continue Reading
Hillsborough County health officials are alerting a South Tampa neighborhood after a rabid raccoon attacked a family dog. The health department says the incident occurred in the area of W. Thornton Ave Tampa 33611 in the Ballast Point area. The unprovoked raccoon can out of a tree and attacked the vaccinatedContinue Reading
Hillsborough County health officials have reported an unprecedented number of hepatitis A cases in 2018. Through Nov. 21, the Hillsborough County Health Department have reported 57 cases, this compares with 36 total cases reported from 2013-2017. Florida issues hepatitis A health advisory: Increases reported in Tampa and Orlando areas Florida healthContinue Reading
Ryan Torrens, Democratic candidate for Florida Attorney General, pledged that he will draft a Student Loan Bill of Rights to finally protect Florida borrowers from being victimized by predatory student loan servicers and collectors. “Far too many Florida borrowers are buried in student loan debt and are unaware of theirContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) is hosting Quit Your Way sessions from Tobacco Free Florida. The group sessions are open to the public and presented by the Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center (GNAHEC) at no cost. Save up to 30% on kid friendly tours andContinue Reading
Earlier this week, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis passed the House of Representatives. This important legislation addresses the need to invest in continued research to assist the millions of Americans living with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). It is estimated that there are currently between 2-3Continue Reading
Last week, Florida’s House of Representatives formally recognized the public health harms of pornography. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) applauds this action and Rep. Ross Spano for spearheading this effort. “Public health impacts of pornography are no trivial matter,” said Lisa L. Thompson, Vice President of Research and EducationContinue Reading
Fantastic Negrito, an African-American singer-songwriter specializing in blues, R&B and roots music, is scheduled to perform on April 7 at the 2018 Safety Harbor SongFestfor the second consecutive year. Last year, Negrito was awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for his record “The Last Days of Oakland” at the 59th Annual GrammyContinue Reading
Hillsborough County health officials report today that the number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases reported by health practitioners remains high in the county. During this flu season, 30 outbreaks have been recorded including nine outbreaks of influenza were reported in child care facilities/school and two in long-term care facilities (LTCF). OneContinue Reading
Health officials in Pinellas County say flu activity is higher this tear than last, prompting them to remind residents that there’s still time to receive your flu shot to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. Flu activity remains widespread and consistently increasing in Pinellas County as well asContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County received confirmation of a case of tuberculosis and is working with Pasco County Schools to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the individual for extended periods of time. The health department is contacting all involved parties to makeContinue Reading
