5/10/17 @ 4:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Health Department has issued the attached Press Release reminding everyone about the health effects of wildfire smoke including scratchy throat, coughing, headaches and irritated nose, as well as worsening of chronic lung and heart conditions. Please review the Press Release for information on ways to protect yourself and family.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Geib with the Nassau County Health Department at (904) 875-6100 or via e-mail at kim.geib@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/4/17 @ 10:35 a.m. - As part of National Public Health Week, April 3-7, 2017, the Florida Department of Health in Nassau is celebrating completion of a third dental operatory located inside the Hilliard Clinic at 37203 Pecan Street. This operatory will be composed of a dentist, dental hygienist, and support clerk and will provide services to Nassau County citizens on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The public is invited to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which will take place on Friday, April 7th at 3:00 p.m. There will also be an Open House from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. (immediately prior to and after the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony) which will showcase other public health programs including the School Health Program and the Women's, Infants & Children's (WIC) Program.

Please see the attached Press Release from the Florida Department of Health for more information about the new dental operatory, as well as comments from Nassau County Health Department Director, Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, regarding the importance of this new facility and the impact it will have on the citizens of Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/24/17 @ 1:55 p.m. - The Florida Department of Health issued a Press Release in recognition of World TB Day which commemorates the discovery of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is one of the world's deadliest diseases and can attack the lungs, kidney, spine and brain.

The Florida Department of Health is making strides to eliminate TB in the State by spreading awareness, implementing improved testing and treatments, and making it easier for clients to successfully complete therapy. Please read the attached Press Release for more information related to symptoms of TB and to explore important resources such as statistics, current trends, and publications.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason with the Nassau County Health Department at (904) 530-6805 or via e-mail at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Nassau County has been selected as a 2017 Healthy Weight Community Champion by the Florida Department of Health. This award was developed by the Florida Department of Health to highlight communities for their efforts in implementing programs and policies that encourage active lifestyles and healthy eating habits.

The award was presented by Nassau County Health Department Director, Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel at the Board of County Commissioner's meeting held on Wednesday, February 15th. Dr. Seidel commended the Board for their "commitment to making healthy living available and accessible to all residents" and reminded them that government plays an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in their jurisdiction.

Nassau County has adopted numerous programs to encourage healthy eating and physical activity in the community. Examples include the "Eat Smart, Be Active Class" series in which participants learn to plan healthy snacks and meals, control portions, and to become more physically active, as well as free classes related to small farm topics such as growing fruits and vegetables. In addition, the County provides several parks and recreation facilities with ballparks and walking trails to give residents options for becoming more physically active. For more information on this award and for information related to obesity rates in Florida, please review the attached Press Release.

Locally, the Nassau County Health Improvement Coalition has worked for several years to bring community partners together to prevent chronic disease. Interested community members are invited to attend their next meeting on Monday, March 27th at 1:00 p.m. at the Yulee Full Service School located on Felmor Road in Yulee. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason at (904) 530-6805 or via e-mail at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's office

10/10/16 at 1:15 p.m.

NASSAU COUNTY BOIL WATER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR PRIVATE WELLS. Individuals with privates wells as primary source of drinking water are under a boil water advisory until further notice. The Department of Environmental Health has been testing area water since yesterday and will notify us once they have determined well water is safe to drink.

In the meantime, please review these well disinfection guidelines for private wells in Nassau County under the boil water advisory.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Florida Department of Health has confirmed the first case of travel related case of Zika in a Nassau County resident. The Department of Health Nassau and mosquito control partners have already begun taking  measures to prevent spread in accordance with State guidelines. Please note there have not been any locally acquired Zika cases.

Below is information provided by the Florida Department of Health on various topics related to Zika, including how to prevent mosquitos, tips on enjoying your vacation, and special advice for pregnant women. Please click on the links to review each flyer:

• Drain and Cover
• Mosquito Bite Protection for Overseas Travelers
• Enjoy Your Vacation
• Zika Information for Pregnant Women

If you have any questions, please contact the Zika Hotline at (855) 622-6735.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

A rabid fox was recently reported to the Nassau County Health Department so health officials have   issued the attached Press Release urging residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals. Rabies is a potentially fatal disease so it's important to keep pets vaccinated against rabies and to avoid contact with wild animals and animals who are acting strangely.

The following steps can help protect you and your loved ones against rabies:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Nassau County Animal Services at (904) 530-6150.
• Call you local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be property cared for or regularly vaccinated
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, domestic or wild, even if they appear friendly
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, or other similar areas where they might come in contact with people or pets

If you have any questions related to the attached Press Release, please contact Ronnie Nessler with the Nassau County Health Department at (904) 530-6825 or via e-mail at ronald.nessler@flhealth.gov. Unusaul acting animals should be reported to Nassau County Animal Services at (904) 530-6150.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition is hosting the second annual City-wide Baby Buggy Walk in the Park and Health Fair in honor of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. beginning at Unity Plaza, 220 Riverside Avenue, in Jacksonville.

The event is designed to bring together families, health care agencies, and other members of the community to participate in a 2 mile walk with babies in an effort to encourage pregnant and postpartum women and their families to participate in healthy activities. Following the walk, there will be a health fair featuring information on various health issues, as well as free health screenings. The first 1,000 families will receive a free book and all participants will have an opportunity to win other fabulous prizes including:

- A Moe's Southwest Grill gift card
- Free passes to the Hands on Children's Museum
- Dinner for Two at the 4 Rivers Smokehouse
- And much, much more.

There will also be a musical festival, food truck vendors, and other activities taking place at the Unity Plaza during the same time, so bring the whole family for an evening of fun in support of healthy babies.

To register for the event, please click here. For questions, please contact Jennifer Gornto, Executive Director for the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, at (904) 723-5422 or via e-mail at jgornto@nefhsc.org.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Nassau County Health Department is developing and implementing projects to address weight issues in our community. In order to do so, the Health Department must engage the community so they can have a better understanding of which strategies are most important to the citizens. For example, do you feel that the Health Department should provide more educational programs on topics such as physical activity and nutrition or do you feel they should extend their marketing and community outreach efforts? Help the Health Department by participating in this brief survey.

If you have any questions about this survey or the Healthiest Weight Community Project, please contact Ashley Sobolewski at (904) 548-1853 or via e-mail at Ashley.Sobolewski@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Florida Department of Health of Nassau County has issued the attached Press Release containing precautionary measures to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. Everyone is encouraged to take basic precautions to help limit exposure by following the basic steps provided.

Please take a moment to review the Press Release and contact the Nassau County Health Department's Epidemiology staff at (904) 548-1830 ext. 5204 if you have any questions or concerns.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office