Health

Officials: Tiny ambulance to make Bartlett safer

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, 4:37pm

Officials: Tiny ambulance to make Bartlett safer

(WMC-TV) – Bartlett officials say the city’s new, tiny ambulance will make a big difference in emergency situations.

The Special Response Vehicle is essentially a miniaturized ambulance built on the chassis of a six person, all terrain vehicle.

The rugged vehicle, known as MedStat, “is designed to be used in situations that limit or prevent the use of a full-sized ambulance, such as off-road locations, within a large group of people, or when the roadways are impassable,” according to a city spokesman.

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Health officials offer water safety tips

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012, 11:11am

Health officials offer water safety tips

(WMC-TV) – As the mercury continues to climb, more people will be headed to the pool. And while swimming can be fun, it can also be very dangerous.

“We want all of our Shelby County constituents to be safe around swimming pools while having fun,” said Dr. Tyler Zerwekh, administrator of Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Bureau. “Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death in children ages 1-14.”

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Whooping cough outbreak not current concern for Shelby County

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Thursday, May 17th, 2012, 4:13pm

Whooping cough outbreak not current concern for Shelby County

(WMC-TV) – Shelby County health officials say Mid-South parents shouldn’t be concerned by the recent whooping cough outbreak in the western United States.

There were three cases of whooping cough reported last year in Shelby County and there have been five cases confirmed this year, according to the health department.

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Shelby County announces mosquito spray schedule

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 10:54am

Shelby County announces mosquito spray schedule

In response to the recent positive tests of West Nile Virus in sampled mosquitoes, the Shelby County Health Department will conduct truck-mounted spraying (adulticiding) of EPA-approved insecticides, weather permitting, in portions specific ZIP codes according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, May 15 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ZIP Codes: 38108, 38111, 38112, 38117, 38120, 38122, 38128

Wednesday, May 16 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ZIP Codes: 38108, 38122, 38128, 38133, 38134, 38135

Thursday, May 17 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ZIP Codes: 38002, 38053, 38128, 38133, 38135

Monday, May 21 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ZIP Codes: 38109, 38116

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Shelves empty at Lifeblood

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 5:40pm

Lifeblood is in critical need of both blood and platelet donors.

The warmer months are traditionally low donation times, and this year is no exception.

“We have depleted our inventory of O+ units, and all other types are low,” said Jennifer Balink, vice president of donor relations for Lifeblood. “We need everyone to get involved today; hundreds of patients’ lives depend on volunteer blood donors.”

In addition to being out of whole blood units, Lifeblood is also in need of platelet donors.

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Health department warns against long West Nile season

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 4:25pm

Health department warns against long West Nile season

The Shelby County Health Department has received confirmation of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus within the areas of ZIP codes 38109, 38122, 38134, and 38135. This is the earliest occurrence of positive West Nile pools on record in addition to the most positive pools present this early in Shelby County.

Since the middle of March, the Shelby County Health Department’s Vector Control Program has applied Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved larvicides to bodies of water known to produce mosquitoes. These actions are part of the Health Department’s proactive effort to decrease the number of mosquitoes. Larviciding is the most effective method of reducing mosquito populations.

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National Women's Health Week good time to get check-up

Submitted by Joan Carr, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region

Friday, May 11th, 2012, 11:47am

National Women's Health Week good time to get check-up

Women—it is time to prioritize your health! As part of National Women’s Health Week (May 13-18, 2012), Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region is urging women in the Mid-South to schedule preventive checkups, including breast cancer screenings, pelvic exams, and, if recommended, a Pap test.

“The health of women affects our families, our partners, and our communities,” said Tarsha Elliott, RN, BSN, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region’s Director of Clinic Services. “As we honor our mothers this week, we should also take the time to encourage them, and all the women in our lives, to schedule the regular checkups they need to live longer, healthier and happier lives.”

Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region offers a wide range of preventive health services, including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, diagnosis and treatment of precancerous cervical conditions, breast exams, the HPV vaccine and STD testing and treatment.