Public Health Services and Information for Our Communities
Rabies is a viral disease of mammals caused by infection of the brain and spinal cord. In domestic animals and people, infection with the rabies virus is nearly always fatal. In the United States, where rabies in dogs has been largely eliminated, rabies is still widespread in wild life populations,… Read more“Rabies Information”
Four times a year the Westport Weston Health District publishes a calendar of events that highlights programs, health screenings and clinics that are offered to the community. Our goal is to promote healthy life style choices through education and counseling. To see a list of events, please click on the… Read more“Westport Weston Health District’s Quarterly Calendar”
The kids will soon be out of school, the weather looks great, the blue water is beckoning and you can’t wait to plan many outings spent at the beach and in the sun. While all this sounds like an ideal way to spend your summer, careful planning and preparations can… Read more“Summertime Safety”
The Westport Weston Health District is now offering the new Shingles vaccine, known as ShingRix, to all eligible persons. The vaccine is recommended for healthy persons fifty years and older to help prevent shingles and its related complications. Individuals should be vaccinated even if a person had shingles in the… Read more“WESTPORT WESTON HEALTH DISTRICT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF THE NEW SHINGLES VACCINE”
Summertime fun means summertime bugs! As the weather warms up and you’re spending more time outside remember to use insect repellent! Insect repellent is the best way to protect yourself and your family against potentially harmful insects such as ticks and mosquitos. Click on our comprehensive parent guide to understanding… Read more“Repel Those Pests”
Mosquito-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes include Zika Virus, West Nile, Chikungunya Virus and Dengue. The public’s role in eliminating potential breeding habitats for mosquitoes — such as getting rid of any standing water around the… Read more“Mosquito-Borne Illness Facts and Prevention”
For your convenience, on Saturday, June 25 from 8:30-10:30 am, the WWHD will offer an immunization clinic (by appointment) to all those in need of any vaccinations or booster shots. When traveling outside the United States, you must take certain precautions to ensure the safety and health of you and… Read more“Traveling Abroad Or Need Immunizations?”
Consumers anywhere in the United States who have store-bought chopped romaine lettuce at home, including salads and salad mixes containing chopped romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region, should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten… Read more“Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce”
The loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food, knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Mark A.R. Cooper, Director… Read more“FOOD SAFETY DURING POWER OUTAGES”
The Town of Westport has developed a new customer service survey for all Land Use Departments including Building, Conservation, Engineering, Planning and Zoning and the Westport Weston Health District. Westport is looking for feedback on peoples’ experience related to the permitting process. The survey is anonymous and will be treated… Read more“Customer Service Satisfaction Survey”
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are some of the most common infections found in the United States. More than 19 million men and women are affected each year. In the United States, the overall medical costs associated with STDs are estimated to be approximately $14 billion annually. Although STDs are more… Read more“STD’s Are Still Prevalent Among Teens and Young Adults”
The misuse and abuse of prescription medication and opioid-based drugs has increased significantly over the years to become a public health concern in Connecticut. Between 2009 –2014, there were nearly 2,000 accidental and unintentional opioid involved deaths that occurred in 152 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns. The demographic breakdown… Read more“The Opioid Crisis Hits Home: Stories from Connecticut”
West Nile fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause inflammation of the brain. West Nile Virus (WNV) is spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily Culex pipiens. A mosquito is infected by biting a bird carrying the virus. West Nile virus is not spread by… Read more“West Nile Virus”
Childhood Lead Poisoning is the most common pediatric public health problem, yet it is entirely preventable. Once a child has been poisoned, the impairment it may cause is irreversible. Lead harms children’s nervous systems and is associated with reduced IQ, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities. In large doses, it can… Read more“Lead Poisoning Prevention”
Weston First Selectwoman Nina Daniel and Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe announced that they are establishing a joint Task Force to address insect and tickborne diseases. Westport Weston Health District Director of Health Mark Cooper will be appointed Chairman of the Task Force. Representatives of agencies from both towns will… Read more“Westport and Weston Establish Insect and Tickborne Disease Task Force”
As of July 1, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory in Rocky Hill is restricting the number of animal carcasses they will accept for rabies testing. Because of this change, the Westport Weston Health District will now only accept the following specimens for submittal to the State… Read more“Change In Rabies Submissions”