|
We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.
Collin County advises it is not too late
to get the flu vaccine.
Collin County introduces free health
resources for pregnant women and new mothers.
Click here to read the public announcement.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE H1N1 FLU
VIRUS
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. What's Happening with the H1N1 Flu Virus Now? In April 2009, cases of human infection with the H1N1 virus were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. All U.S. states have since reported cases of H1N1 flu infection in humans. As part of the federal government response to the H1N1 virus, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration on April 26, 2009 and on July 23, 2009, renewed the declaration that a public health emergency exists. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At that time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection. Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The U.S. continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment. Vaccination and Treatment There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against this virus. The H1N1 flu virus strains causing the current outbreak are very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for this past human seasonal flu would not provide protection from these H1N1 flu viruses. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. In treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started as soon after getting sick as possible, and might not work if started more than 48 hours after illness starts. Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill but who has been or may be near a person with H1N1 influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending on a person's particular situation.
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed
for use in the U.S. for the treatment of influenza. At this time, CDC
recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) or zanamivir
(brand name Relenza ®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection
with H1N1 influenza viruses. The other two antivirals, amantadine and
rimantadine, are ineffective for treating the most recent H1N1 flu
viruses in humans.
THERE ARE EVERYDAY ACTIONS PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO STAY HEALTHY:
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions from the CDC
regarding swine flu. WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION
FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND MOBILE VENDING REQUIREMENTS If you are operating any type of food service business, including restaurants, temporary, or mobile food vending vehicles, you must apply for a City of Sachse / Dallas County Health Permit. The permit must be displayed in a visible place for inspection and must be renewed annually. You may contact Billy Ho at 972.675.1633, ext. 58 for more information. ·
Food Establishment Inspection Report
The City of Sachse has made application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for authorization to discharge from the City of Sachse municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Click here to read the complete Notice of Application. Click here for information on a healthier yard. Click here for information on a healthier home. Click here for information on the "dirty dozen". · Storm Water Management Program What is Storm Water? Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement due to rain or snow melt. Water may seep into the ground, flow in ditches or streams, or enter the storm drain system. The storm drains are what you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets. Storm drains lead to a discharge point such as open channels or directly into natural rivers or creeks within the community. Natural creeks have a small amount of baseflow, which is caused by groundwater recharge and high water tables that are relatively clean. When it rains, the baseflow is supplemented by storm water runoff from parking lots and city streets. What is stormwater runoff? Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Why is stormwater runoff a problem? Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water. Why is it important to control Storm Water? Storm water can pose a risk to our water resources due to the fact that pollutants in storm water can impact lakes, streams and rivers. Storm water runoff is a major problem when it picks up garbage, debris, sediment, chemicals, automotive fluids, fertilizers, leaves and other pollutants from parking lots, yards, city streets, shopping malls, house roofs, etc. This type of pollution is called non-point source (NPS) pollution and is more of a problem than direct discharges from commercial industries and plants, which have TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) with Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits as mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A common result of unclean storm water runoff is the loss of fish and aquatic wildlife from the community's streams and creeks. The City must comply with the new State and Federal regulations related to storm water runoff. Storm Water regulations in our City To comply with new State Phase II program and Federal regulations, Sachse is required to implement a new storm water management program. The requirements include: 1. Public Education and Outreach Stormwater Pollution Solutions The best way to protect storm water runoff quality is to avoid polluting in the first place. Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't dump them onto the ground or into storm drains. Lawn Care Pet Waste Auto Care Participate in local garbage and debris pickup days and recycle household hazardous waste materials to prevent storm drain contamination. Encourage active citizen participation in storm water protection and public group education on storm water quality. The Storm Water Management staff is here
to assist you. Please call or email if you have a question, to
request information or to report storm water pollution. Mailing Address: City of
Sachse, Storm Water Management For the EPA Public Education Link,
please
click here. ·
Household Hazardous Wastes
When grass clippings, pet waste, automotive products, fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals wash down a storm drain, they do not go away. They flow into rivers, creeks, and lakes, harming plants and animals and contaminating the water we drink. The technical term is "nonpoint source pollution". Listed below are the proper disposal methods of various household products. Please recycle or share unused products before you discard them. For more information or to report violations, please call 972.675.1633, ext. 58 and speak to Billy Ho.
For questions or more information please contact the Environment / Health Department at 972.675.1633.
Click here to return to the Community Development main page.
|
