Flu Cases on the Rise

Two schools in Grundy County have recently cancelled classes due to an increase in influenza-like illness.  

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly and can make chronic health conditions worse. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some may also have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu shot. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot each year. The Grundy County Health Department has vaccine available for all age groups.

You may get a flu shot at the Grundy County Health Department on Thursday, January 19th, between the hours of 9 a.m and 4 p.m. Flu shots are also given on a walk-in basis each Tuesday during regular office hours.

To help prevent spread of the illness, stay away from sick people and stay home if you are sick. It also is important to wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. This is a critical time to practice good hygiene etiquette, especially when coughing or sneezing. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Place your used tissue in a wastebasket. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without first being washed thoroughly. Eating utensils can be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap and do not need to be cleaned separately. Further, frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at home, work and school, especially if someone is ill.

If you think you or your child may have influenza, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance regarding testing and treatment.

Call the at 660.359.4196 Grundy County Health Department for more information about influenza.

Mumps Vaccination for MU Students

In an effort to control the mumps outbreak at the University of Missouri, the University Health Center is recommending a 3^rd dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for MU students before returning to school after the holiday break.

At this time, this recommendation is ONLY for University of Missouri-Columbia students NOT students of other universities or members of the general public.

The Grundy County Health Department will offer MMR vaccinations to MU students on Wednesday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 11 by appointment.

At this time, Grundy County has one lab-confirmed case and one additional probable case. There have been no confirmed child cases in Grundy County. Surveillance and testing efforts are ongoing. Healthcare providers are required to report the diagnosis of mumps cases (along with other diseases) to the county health department for investigation.

Mumps is a viral illness. The symptoms of mumps are: body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, low grade fever and parotitis. Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both of the major salivary (parotid) glands located on either side of the face. Visit the CDC website for more information about mumps: www.cdc.gov/mumps/.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps, but it is only effective prior to exposure. People born before 1957 are considered immune to the illness because of the prevalence of the disease in the childhood population prior to that year. Adults born after 1957 should have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) to be fully immunized if they do not have evidence of immunity, possibly gained by having contracted mumps as a child.

Missouri law requires children to have two MMR vaccinations before attending school.

Please check with the Grundy County Health Department or your physician if you are not adequately immunized. If you have symptoms of the mumps, see your physician for evaluation.

For more information about the mumps or MMR vaccination, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.

Help Wanted: Registered Nurse

The Grundy County Health Department is seeking a Registered Nurse. Education: Associate or Bachelor’s (BSN) degree. Prefer 2 years of experience in public health or physician’s office. Responsibilities will include clinical duties, community programs, and case management. Must have good written and oral communication skills. Salary negotiable with experience. Send resume and cover letter to Grundy County Health Department, Attn: Elizabeth Gibson, 1716 Lincoln, Trenton, MO 64683 before December 30. Search will continue until the position is filled. GCHD is an equal opportunity employer.

Mumps Case in Grundy County

The Grundy County Health Department is currently investigating several suspect cases of mumps in Grundy County residents. At this time there has been one lab-confirmed case of the illness in Grundy County. There is currently an outbreak of mumps in Central Missouri with 73 cases reported.

Grundy County Health Department, along with all health departments throughout the state, have disease surveillance systems in place to identify illnesses like the mumps. Medical providers are required to report the diagnosis or suspicion of mumps cases (along with other diseases) to the county health department for investigation.

Mumps is a viral illness. The symptoms of mumps are: body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, low grade fever and parotitis. Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both of the major salivary (parotid) glands located on either side of the face. Visit the CDC website for more information about mumps: www.cdc.gov/mumps/.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps, but it is only effective prior to exposure. People born before 1957 are considered immune to the illness because of the prevalence of the disease in the childhood population prior to that year. Adults born after 1957 should have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) to be fully immunized if they do not have evidence of immunity, possibly gained by having contracted mumps as a child.

Missouri law requires children to have two MMR vaccinations before attending school.

Please check with the Grundy County Health Department or your physician if you are not adequately immunized. If you have symptoms of the mumps, see your physician for evaluation.

For more information about the mumps or MMR vaccination, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.

November Flu Shot Schedule

The Grundy County Health Department has set the dates for November flu shot clinics. Shots will be given on a walk-in basis.

Tuesday, November 1, 1-4 pm

Tuesday, November 8, 1-4 pm

Tuesday, November 15, 1-6 pm (late clinic!)

Tuesday, November 22, 1–4 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 1-4 pm

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. High dose vaccine is available for those over age 65.

If you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, bring your card for billing purposes. If you are uninsured, please make a donation to help cover the cost of the vaccine.

If you have questions, please call the Grundy County Health Department at
(660) 359-4196.

Flu Shot Spooktacular

The Grundy County Health Department will be holding a Halloween Flu Shot Spooktacular Tuesday, October 25 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm at the Grundy County Health Department. Flu shots will be available for all ages and there will also be Halloween treats, prize drawings, and GCHD staff will dress in festive apparel.

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. The Health Department has vaccine for all age groups, including high dose vaccine for those over
age 65.

Call 660/359-4196 for more information.

Flu Shot Time

The days are getting shorter and cooler and the signs are everywhere--get your flu shot! The Grundy County Health Department has scheduled walk-in clinics for the months of September and October.

Tuesday, September 27, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 4, 9:00 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 11, 9:00 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 1:00 – 6:00 pm

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. The Health Department is offering vaccine for every age group. High dose vaccine is available for those over age 65 and quadrivalent (4-strain) vaccine for people under age 65.

If you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, bring your card for billing purposes. If you are uninsured, please make a donation to help cover the cost of the vaccine.

If you have questions, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.