Department of Health hosts 3rd annual April Fest to promote health and resources
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Washington County also received some health education on Friday.
The Florida Department of Health in Washington County hosted its third annual 'April Fest' Friday afternoon at the Campbell Park Community Center in Vernon.
The goal of the festival was to educate the community, promote health, and bring together community resources for the local area.
The health department brought in experts to answer residents' questions and talk to them about various subjects, like nutrition, mental health, pregnancy, and more.
Florida's free fishing days return this weekend for residents and visitors
Public health scientist Dr. Edward Clark discussed the warning signs of diabetes and how to prevent it.
Attendees enjoyed free food and drinks while picking up healthcare pamphlets and information.
'Education, education about people's health and how to be healthier and just bring our communities together and have resources,' Department of Health PIO Sheri Rushing said.
Health Department officials are also holding 'Fresh Fest' next weekend at Eureka Square in the Bonifay area. That event will focus on agriculture topics like gardening, beekeeping, and more.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Cat triggers rabies alert in Lake County
People who live in Lake County may want to keep their pets inside for a while. Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County are tracking rabies cases among wild animals in the area. They said the issue started after a cat-related incident in the western part of Leesburg in Lake County. It's best for people and domestic animals to steer clear of physical contact with wild animals like raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. These animals pose a higher risk of exposure to humans and may require rabies post-exposure treatment. If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies. This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Lake County: · Northern boundary: Alabama Avenue · Southern boundary: North 14th St. · Eastern boundary: Edgewood Avenue · Western boundary: Oklahoma Avenue Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure: · Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian's recommended schedule. · Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500. · Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Lake by calling 352-221-2609 or after hours at 352-250-7329. · Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. · Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500 · Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other areas where they might contact people and pets. For more information on rabies, please visit this site. Or contact DOH-Lake at 352-771-5500. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Walton County Overdose Prevention Task Force celebrates Revive Awareness Day
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – In 2024, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that designates June 6 as a day to bring attention to drug overdoses and the tools used to save lives. Local officials, health professionals and overdose survivors gathered at the North Walton Doctors Hospital to celebrate their first Revive Awareness Day. 'There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a young person die from a drug overdose because that is 100% preventable,' North Walton Doctors Hospital Chief Executive Dr. Guy Nguyen said. Dr. Nguyen said he has spent most of his career amid the opioid epidemic. He's seen firsthand how naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can reverse overdoses from substances like fentanyl, can save users from certain death. 'Sometimes they jump out of the bed and they want to hit you because you just took away their high,' Dr. Nguyen continued. It worked for Samara Bailey, whose overdose began her long road to recovery. 'The only thing I remember is waking up in an emergency room similar to this, and the nurse telling me, 'honey, you just died,'' overdose survivor Samara Bailey said. Because of her drug use, Bailey found herself in the Okaloosa County Jail, a circumstance law enforcement officials are all too familiar with. 'A lot of people come to jail and they are addicted, and that could very well be one of the reasons that they are in jail to begin with, and a lot of cases it is,' said WCSO Chief of Emergency Services Tracey Vause. But through hard work, dedication and community support, Bailey completed her road to recovery. Bailey, like many other former addicts, are making the best out of their second chance. 'I'm very, very blessed to be able to say that I get to show up as a loving husband, a father and a grandfather now, which I'm very happy about,' overdose survivor Chris Hockman said. To contact the Walton County Overdose Prevention Task Force, call (850) 401-6338. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
DOH-Bay reminds residents of Revive Awareness Day
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Health in Bay County observes Revive Awareness Day on Friday, June 6. According to a news release, the DOH-Bay wants to remind residents that naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Floridians can find Narcan for their community by calling DOH-Bay at 850-872-4455. The DOH-Bay offers Narcan at the Florida Department of Health in Bay County, 597 W 11 St., Panama City, FL, 32401. DOH-Bay offers the following information: All Floridians need to know the signs of an overdose, which include: -Small, constricted 'pinpoint pupils'-Falling asleep or losing consciousness-Slow, weak, or not breathing-Choking or gurgling sounds-Cold or clammy skin-Discolored skin, especially lips and nails-Limp body What to Do if You Think Someone is Overdosing: -If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately.-Administer Narcan if available, lay the person on their side to prevent choking, andtry to keep them awake and breathing until emergency assistance arrives. The HEROS Program:-The Florida Department of Health's Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support(HEROS) program provides naloxone to emergency response agencies throughout the Florida agency that employs licensed emergency responders may apply to the HEROSprogram. If You or a Loved One Needs Help:The Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network is the first of its kind in the U.S. and aimsto eliminate the stigma of addiction and treat substance use disorder as a disease, with the same level of continuous care. Floridians battling with addiction can utilize the CORE Network for stabilization and to receive medication-assisted treatment from a network of specialized medical experts that will help guide them on a sustained pathway to healthy success. Spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis, 'The Facts. Your Future.' campaign focuses onsupporting students statewide to ensure they receive prevention instruction and encouragementto protect and maintain their health, avoid substance misuse, and discourage risky behaviors sothey can thrive and flourish for life. This campaign is an interactive approach to ensure students are informed and can make safe decisions as they grow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
