1/23/19 @ 8:20 a.m. - The Department of Health issued the attached Press Release yesterday after a cat near Kings Ferry tested positive for rabies. The alert will remain in affect for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Nassau County:

• St. Marys River to the North
• Prospect Landing, Murrhee Road and US Highway 1 to the West
• Lessie Road to the East
• W. County Road 108 to the South.

The press release includes information on how to protect yourselves and your pets, as well as signs to look for that may indicate an animal has been exposed.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason with the Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/18/19 @ 8:15 a.m. - The Health Department has issued a Press Release regarding Partnership for a Healthier Nassau's new Community Health Improvement Plan for years 2019-2021. The unveiling of the new plan will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Red Bean Center.

At the meeting, there will be a special presentation by guest speaker, State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who will share her vision of health for our community. Other key leaders will speak on the progress that has been made to improve the health in Nassau County and will also introduce a new project, Nassau Age-Friendly in Public Health.

What: Unveiling of New Community Health Improvement Plan
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: FSCJ Red Bean Center, Nassau Room (Building 30, Room T-126), 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr with the Nassau County Department of Health at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at Mary.VonMohr@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/2/19 @ 2:20 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health has issued the attached warning after a raccoon in western Nassau County tested positive for rabies. The Press Release includes steps you can take to protect yourself, as well as signs to look for that indicate an animal might be infected.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/14/18 @ 1:45 p.m. - The Florida Department of Health has issued the attached Press Release regarding their new Flu Free Florida Initiative "Windows Down, Sleeves Up". This campaign serves as a reminder to residents to get their flu shot before the height of the upcoming flu season.

Part of the initiative also includes an upcoming event featuring FREE Flu Shots for the first 300 people in attendance. This event will take place on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Journey Church located at 95707 Amelia Concourse, Fernandina Beach. All participants must be over the age of 13.

For additional information about influenza or influenza-like illnesses in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health Website. You may also contact your local Health Department at (904) 875-6100.

11/2/18 @ 2:40 p.m. - The Health Department just issued the attached Press Release reminding residents to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to "Drain and Cover" following the third confirmed case of West Nile Virus Infection in Nassau County.

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/5/18 @ 10:30 a.m. - Over the last six months, Partnership for a Healthier Nassau has completed four county-wide assessments which included community meetings, focus groups, survey collection and data review. The results of their findings were presented at the Nassau Health Summit held on September 26, 2018. More than fifty people were in attendance to review the data and vote on areas in which they believed to be most important. The top five issue areas include:

1. Housing: affordable housing/resources and continuum of care retirement communities (CCRC)
2. Access to Care: hours, cost, provider shortage, competitive pay for providers
3. Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse: affordable and accessible care, care for the socially isolated
4. Health Disparities: in the areas of cancer (breast, colorectal, prostate), heart disease, infant mortality, low birth weight, chronic diseases (stroke, diabetes) and HIV
5. Community Support: to enhance help to caregivers and parents, address the Yulee and Westside area by creating new "community systems for connection" and address affordable childcare

Over the next three months, goals and action steps will be created by local workgroups. Parnership for a Healthier Nassau is seeking new members for the workgroups. New goals related to the top five issues will be included in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) which is scheduled to launch in January 2019.

Attached is a Message from the Florida Department of Health Nassau which explains more about this process and the overall efforts of Partnership for a Healthier Nassau.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Mary von Mohr at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov. To stay informed, visit the Health Department's page dedicated to Community Health Planning. There you will also find a survey where you can express your ideas to help shape the Local Health Improvement Plan for 2019-2021.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/17/18 @ 1:50 p.m. - Attached is a Press Release from the Florida Department of Health reminding residents to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito-borne illness after a second human case of West Nile illness has been confirmed in Nassau County.

The Department of Health continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to "Drain and Cover".

Please read the Press Release for methods that can be used to avoid being bitten.

Questions should be directed to Jason Miller with the Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Jason.Miller@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/13/18 @ 9:00 a.m. - The Nassau County Health Improvement Coalition has coordinated a 5K Health Walk/Run in recognition of World Heart Day. This is a free, non-timed event to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease prevention. All participants who complete the 5K will receive free shoelaces and will be entered into a drawing for a door prize.

Other activities taking place during the event include:

• * Hands Only CPR Training (with free Friends & Family training kit)
• * Walk With Me Program Information
• * Drain & Cover, Spill the Water Information (to prevent mosquito exposure)
• * "5210 - Let's Go" Healthiest Weight activity

What: World Heart Day 5K Walk/Run
When: Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ewing Park, Callahan, FL 32011

For additional information, please contact J. Miller at (904) 556-9156 or visit the Health Department's Website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/12/18 @ 11:50 a.m. - Press Release from the Nassau County Health Department:

2018 Nassau Health Summit – “Make your Voice Heard”

Florida Department of Health-Nassau and the Partnership for Healthier Nassau will be hosting the 2018 Nassau Health Summit on Wednesday, September 26th at the FSCJ Nassau Red Bean Center from 1:00-5:00 pm.  You are invited to attend and help us improve the health of our rapidly growing county. This event is free and open to the public. There will be an opportunity to learn about local service organizations, network and hear about the results of the MAPP Community Health Assessments conducted this Spring & Summer. More importantly, there will be a facilitated session to hear your ideas.  We will discuss and choose the top health issues to be addressed in the upcoming 2019-2021 Nassau Community Health Improvement Plan.
Come join the discussion and help us make Nassau County “the best place to grow up, work and retire.”

What:  Nassau Health Summit
Date:  September 26th, 2018
Time:  1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Red Bean Center - Address: 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee Florida
Building 30, Room: T-126, Nassau Room
 
If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr at 904-557-9133 or mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov     

*Accommodations available as needed.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/27/18 @ 2:25 p.m. - Below are some common questions and answers related to the West Nile Virus, provided to you by the Nassau County Health Department:

• What are the symptoms of WNV infection?  Approximately 80% of people who are infected with West Nile virus do not have any symptoms.  Up to 20% of people who become infected have mild symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches that last a few days to several weeks.  About 1 in 150 people infected with West Nile virus (less than 1%) develop severe illness, and symptoms can include high fever, headache, disorientation, coma, numbness and paralysis.  These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.  Severe illness can also result in death.
• What is the risk of getting sick from WNV infection? Anyone living in an area where WNV is present can be infected and experience serious illness. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Pay attention to preventing mosquito bites if you spend time outside, either working or playing.  Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, those over 60 years of age are at increased risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants or who have a weakened immune system, are also at greater risk for serious illness.
• What can I do to prevent WNV infection? The easiest and best way to avoid WNV illness is to prevent mosquito bites. The best preventive measures are to Drain standing water to prevent mosquito breeding around your home or business, Cover doors and windows to keep mosquitoes outside of homes and Cover skin with clothing or mosquito repellant to prevent mosquito bites.  In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.  For infants less than two months old, use mosquito netting.

 
For more information, please visit Florida Health Department website. You may also contact your local Health Department directly at (904) 875-6100 or email Environmental Health Manager, Michael Godwin, at michael.godwin@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office