Planned mass vaccination H1N1 clinic

Planned mass vaccination H1N1 clinic, Tuesday December 29 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Athens Community Center. We expect to vaccinate 1,000. The clinic is for all Athens County residents older than 6 months who are healthy or have chronic medical conditions.  Please call the Health Department for an appointment at 740-592-4431 during regular business hours.

Holiday Gifts That Increase Preparedness

This year Athens County Emergency Management Agency has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencies in their area. “Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere and the holiday season provides a great opportunity to ensure that you and your loved ones are taking simple steps to be prepared,” said EMA Director Fred Davis. “As families gather this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and discuss what you would do in case of an emergency or disaster. The public is the most important member of our nation’s emergency response team and the more the public does to be prepared, the more successful this team will be.” The most important thing any individual can do is take a few minutes to discuss with their family, friends and loved ones what they will do in the case of an emergency or disaster. This includes developing a simple family communications plan and identifying how you would get in touch with loved ones and where you might meet if you are separated when an emergency or disaster takes place. Additionally, there are simple supplies that can go a long way in the case of an emergency or disaster that would make great gifts this holiday season. A list of possible gifts that may assist in disasters includes: Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits; food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours; i.e., extra clothing, blankets, and flashlights). NOAA weather radios with extra batteries. Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class. Smoke detectors. Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car, etc.) Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire. Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags). Pet Disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate). Battery powered lamps This year, consider at least one of these ideas. You just may save the life of a friend or family member. For more information and preparedness tips, please visit www.athenscountyema.org and www.ready.gov.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY FROM 1 AM TO 7 PM EST WEDNESDAY 12/9/09

A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION LATER TODAY AND WEDNESDAY. SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT BEFORE TURNING TO THE SOUTHWEST WEDNESDAY MORNING AS THE FRONT PASSES THROUGH. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT AND ON WEDNESDAY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

ATHENS TAKES IT OFF, Weight Loss Competition

How would you or someone you know like to lose weight and get paid for it!! Several area businesses and individuals have already signed up teams. Deadline to register is Dec. 14. Contest begins Jan. 4 and continues for 10-weeks. Athens Takes It Off is a weight loss competition designed to encourage Athens County residents to be healthier. The team that loses the most percentage of weight will get $1000 in cash. So, if losing weight is on your agenda, more information about Athens Takes It Off as well as the Registration Form, Participation Rules and Information Sheet are located on the City of Athens Web site at http://www..ci.athens.oh.us/aprd_comfitness.cfm Please help pass the word!! Linda M. Weiss Public Relations Manager O’Bleness Memorial Hospital 55 Hospital Dr. Athens, OH 45701 (740) 592-9290 (740) 592-9231 Fax

WARNING!!! Fake CDC Email Leads To Virus

There have been numerous fictitious e-mails that appear to be from the Centers for Disease Control.  The e-mails claim to be for an H1N1 vaccination program, playing on public fears about swine flu.  The fake alert informs recipients that as part of a “State Vaccination H1N1 Program” they need to create a profile on the CDC Web site. The link in the e-mail goes to a fake CDC page where the visitor is assigned a temporary ID and a link to a vaccination profile that is actually an executable file containing a copy of the Kryptik Trojan targeting Windows.

 Once installed the Trojan will create a security-free gateway on your system and will proceed to download and install additional software without your authorization. It also enables a remote hacker to take complete control of your computer. This software can log your typed keystrokes and send confidential personal and financial data (including banking information, credit card numbers, and website passwords) to a remote hacker.

 Detailed information on this problem can be found at http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10407026-245.html.

Athens County Launches New Community Information Service

The Athens County Public Information Officers Network is launching a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to residents in Athens County using the latest technology. This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone. Nixle is completely free, simple, and trusted. Residents of AthensCounty can now take advantage of Nixle! Nixle is a new community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications. Its authenticated service connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and through Web access. Nixle is offered at no cost to all governments, their agencies and organizations, nongovernmental organizations and consumers. The public can sign up at www.nixle.com. Register now and learn more at www.nixle.com. Then share this new service with friends and neighbors to spread the word! Dan Pfeiffer, from the PIO Network, said Nixle differs from current services such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, which provide unauthenticated platforms for connections. Nixle solves that problem by providing a single standardized service for consumers to receive immediate and credible neighborhood-level public safety and community information. “Nixle is a first-of-its-kind tool for communities that need to provide critical information to their residents,” said Pfeiffer. “When it comes to public safety information, you have to trust the source. Residents of AthensCounty can rest easy that the local messages they receive are authentic.”

Nelsonville Launches New Community Information Service

The City of Nelsonville is launching a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to residents in our area using the latest technology. This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone. Nixle is completely free, simple, and trusted. Residents of Nelsonville can now take advantage of Nixle! Nixle is a community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications. It is the first authenticated and secure service that connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and via Web access. Register now and learn more at www.nixle.com. Then share this new service with friends and neighbors to spread the word! “Nixle is a first-of-its-kind tool for communities that need to provide critical information to their residents,” said Dan Pfeiffer, Fire Department Public Information Officer. “When it comes to public safety information, you have to trust the source of the information. Residents of Nelsonville can rest easy that the local messages they receive using Nixle are authentic.” We are very excited to have you experience it for yourself. Sign up at www.nixle.com to register. Information is also available at www.nelsonvillefd.org.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS TIPS FOR STANDING IN LINE AT H1N1 VACCINATION CLINICS

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS TIPS FOR STANDING IN LINE AT H1N1 VACCINATION CLINICS COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans seeking H1N1 vaccine may find themselves standing in long lines at clinics due to large amounts of people taking part in H1N1 clinics across the state. Ohio Department of Health Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D., today urged Ohioans to be patient while standing in lines for H1N1 vaccination clinics and to bring items to help pass the time. “We appreciate the patience that Ohioans are showing while waiting in line for their H1N1 vaccination,” Jackson said. “While it may be difficult to wait in line, especially with small children, it is worth it for protection against this flu virus.” ODH recommends those attending an H1N1 vaccination clinic be prepared for the wait. Consider bringing the following: • Toys, such as bubbles, battery-operated games or books • A folding chair • Healthy snacks • Bottled water • Tissues • Comfortable shoes • Hand sanitizer It is also important for Ohioans to dress appropriately for weather conditions and take the following preventive measures to avoid spreading germs: • Wash your hands frequently; alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective if soap and water are not available. • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. • If you are sick, stay home until fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication. The vaccine is intended for high-risk individuals including health care workers and EMS workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions. State of Ohio EOC News Release Page 2 of 2 Local health department and hospitals may choose to vaccinate some subset of the above group depending on vaccine supply and the demographic makeup of the patients they serve. For more information about H1N1, including a list of announced clinics, visit http://www.flu.ohio.gov or contact the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Athens, Ohio – Halloween Block Party

ATHENS, OHIO – HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY MEDIA RELEASE November 1, 2009 Athens Police Department handled 50 Calls For Service. There were 51 persons arrests and processed through booking. 40 of those arrested were sent to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. City of Athens officials noted that the crowd seemed larger than past years but broke up quickly after midnight. Southeast Ohio EMS did note an increase in calls from last year, as of 3:30am EST they had responded to 53 calls with 45 persons transported to the hospital. However, most of the EMS calls were alcohol related or non-serious injuries. Of concern to law enforcement was a large fight that broke out in a rowdy crowd outside 19 South Court Street at about 2:55am EST. INCIDENTS/SIGNIFICANT CFS From 9:00pm Saturday night to 3:30am Sunday morning 7 Disorderly Conduct Incidents 8 Fight calls 9 Assaults 4 Burglary calls 2 Noise Complaints 1 Sexual Offense 1 Threat Breakdown of ARREST CHARGES (does not include street issued citations or citations by other agencies) 1 – Possession of cocaine 3 – Possession of Marijuana 2 – Open container 8 – Underage Intoxication 4 – Underage age consumption 2 – Obstruction 1 – Resisting 17 – Disorderly by Intoxication 1 – Assault 1 – Sexual Imposition 1 – False ID 2 – Misconduct The Ohio Department of Public Safety, Enforcement Division (liquor enforcement) reported that they had about 51 arrests on Friday night and 61 on Saturday night. Ohio University specific events will be reported by OhioUniversity. Mounted and most outside agency officers were released at about 3:00am EST. Numerous Athens Police officers remained on duty to assist the night shift in dealing with sporadic problems. Athens Police Lieutenant Harvey may be available on Sunday from 7:00am to 3:00pm to answer any questions at (740) 592-3315. Questions regarding OhioUniversity may be addressed to Renea Morris, Executive Director of University Communications and marketing at (740) 593-2363. Police Chief Rick Mayer will be available from 8:00am to 9:00am on Monday, November 3 to answer questions at (740) 592-3315.

Pre-registering to receive H1N1 vaccine

Dear Local Health Department Partners,

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has a new Web address for Ohioans to use when pre-registering to receive H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available in their areas. The new address is http://www.flu.ohio.gov.

ODH’s main Web address – http://www.odh.ohio.gov – can still be used to access the same information; the new site simply makes it easier for users.

Sincerely,
Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.
Director of Health