Latest news with #MississippiStateDepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mississippi reports first West Nile case of 2025 season
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported the first case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the 2025 mosquito season. This first case was confirmed in Rankin County. In 2024, Mississippi recorded 59 confirmed human cases and eight deaths related to WNV. WNV is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people (8 out of 10) infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. According to MSDH, the summer is prime time for mosquitos to feast and potentially spread illnesses like WNV. Mississippi offers walk-in immunization clinics for students Stay indoors or take personal protective measures, especially between dusk and dawn, which are peak mosquito biting times. Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellent outdoors and always follow label instructions. Apply repellent on exposed skin only. Do not apply under clothing or on broken skin. Carry a travel-size repellent if you will be outdoors for an extended period. Apply sunscreen first, insect repellent second, if you are also wearing sunscreen. Wear long-sleeved, long-legged clothing with socks and shoes when practical. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers. Remove all discarded tires on the property. Used tires have become the most common mosquito breeding site in the country. Remove all leaf debris. Close garbage can lids. Be sure water does not collect in the bottom of garbage cans. Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water in bird baths frequently (every 2-3 days). Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Repair damaged or torn window and door screens. Remove outdoor pet food and water dishes that are not being used. If you know of specific mosquito control problems, call your local city or county public works. Learn what your local government is doing to control mosquitoes. Ask how you can help. Remind or help neighbors to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on their property. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
MSDH offers safety tips for summer heat
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Summer is here, but the Mississippi heat comes with serious safety hazards. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is advising residents to protect themselves and loved ones by following some summer safety tips that encompass everything from hydration to bugs to sunscreen, and everything in between. Fan-favorite Chick-fil-A milkshake returns this month Summer Safety Tips Protect yourself from heat stroke by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Body temperature can rise to 106 degrees within 10 minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,220 people in the United States die from extreme heat annually. Avoid mosquito-borne illnesses by using a repellent such as DEET, covering your arms and legs when outside, staying away from mosquito-prone areas in the mornings and evenings, and removing sources of standing water around your home. Wear sunscreen rated SPF-15 or higher with UVA and UVB protection. Serious sunburns can double the risk of developing malignant melanoma. Unprotected skin can be harmed by UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. When in the sun, cover up with loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brim hat, and seek shade during midday hours. Stay safe around water by following these tips: Never swim alone, constantly watch children, learn CPR, avoid drinking alcohol, install a fence around pools and remove toys. You should also know your local weather conditions and forecasts. Keep foods chilled when outside to reduce foodborne illnesses. Don't let foods sit out for more than two hours (one hour if temp is higher than 90 degrees). Never leave babies or toddlers in hot cars. Check on older, vulnerable adults. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mississippi creating new OB System of Care to save mothers, babies
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) said the agency is spearheading the effort to create a new OB (Obstetrics) System of Care that will save lives and provide the proper level of care for pregnant women and their babies. According to the latest report by the Mississippi Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 83% of maternal deaths it reviewed were preventable. The maternal mortality rate is 23.2 per 100,000 live births, with a national rate of 18.6 per 100,000 live births. Why haven't we seen a human bird flu case in 3 months? The most current Mississippi Infant Mortality Report showed the infant mortality rate at 9.2 per 1,000 births in the state, compared to 5.6 per 1,000 births nationally. 'The problem is not physicians, nurses, hospitals, EMS quality, healthcare quality in Mississippi or Medicaid,' said Dr. Dan Edney, State Health Officer and MSDH Executive Director. 'The problem is the system. There has not been a guiding force to get mothers to the right hospital – not necessarily the closest. Moms at high-risk are having problems being transferred from one facility to another. I believe with coordination, collaboration, and cooperation, we can reduce this unacceptable mortality rate.' The MSDH recently brought together partners from around the state, including doctors, nurses, hospitals, emergency medicine, EMS, the Division of Medicaid, managed care organizations and other providers to discuss ways forward in developing a coordinated system of care. Some of the factors involved in the deaths are linked to rural travel times, less than adequate prenatal care, lack of transparency with birthing programs 'locate' data, EMS difficulties, NICU availability, lack of regional perinatal systems, and less than adequate transfer systems. FDA OKs first blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease MSDH officials said the proposed OB System of Care would create increased prenatal care opportunities, perinatal regionalization, maternal and neonatal levels of care designation, facilitated and expedited transfers to appropriate levels of care, the opportunity to activate with a 911 call, an opportunity to incorporate our Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) safety initiative work, and performance improvement data. Once initiated, this would be the fourth System of Care in the state, joining the ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) System of Care for heart attacks, the Stroke System of Care and the Trauma Care system. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What exists to help stop a measles outbreak in Mississippi?
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – With the country facing the highest occurrence of measles since 2019, many worry that their state may become the next epicenter of the contagious disease. Mississippi has not experienced any Measles cases this year or any year since 1992. However, two of Mississippi's neighbors (Tennessee and Arkansas) have reported cases in 2025. One great way to reduce any impact is vaccination. Though the state's overall vaccination rate is among the highest nationwide at 97.5%, pockets of unvaccinated children spurred the latest outbreak. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is 93% effective. The US has nearly 900 measles cases, and 10 states have active outbreaks. Here's what to know Those with measles are contagious from four days before to four days after its distinguishing rash appears. Immunocompromised patients may not develop the rash. MSDH advises those who are or are likely infected to isolate for four days if it develops. Measles is part of a class of different infections that require meticulous documentation and monitoring by MSDH. The agency's Office of Epidemiology monitors trends related to certain chronic diseases and helps to either prevent outbreaks or mitigate their negative impact. In early March, MSDH released a message to all of the state's healthcare providers. The agency required physicians and clinicians to report any suspected cases of measles within 24 hours. There are 86 county health departments operated by MSDH. The MMR vaccine is available as a two-dose series at all 86 MSDH County Health Departments. To find out your or a loved one's vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider or the local county health department near you. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
What bills did Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves veto? See the list
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed eight bills that lawmakers sent to his desk during the 2025 legislative session. Legislators, during their next regular session, could override the vetoes if a two-thirds majority of lawmakers in each chamber votes to do so. Such a supermajority vote is hard to attain, and veto overrides are rare. Lawmakers have only overridden one of Reeves' previous vetoes, and that was the first override of a veto since 2002. The governor can also line-item veto appropriation bills, but lawmakers adjourned their session without adopting a budget to fund the state government. Here's a list of bills that Reeves vetoed this year: House Bill 569 This legislation would have changed when medical facilities were required to apply for a 'certificate of need' from the Mississippi State Department of Health before opening or adding new services. Reeves vetoed the bill because he argued it unlawfully attempted to circumvent an ongoing court case by granting a certificate to a single psychiatric hospital in Jackson. House Bill 924 The legislation would have granted the Legislature's watchdog committee the authority to conduct a review of new state agency regulations and determine if those regulations conform to what the Legislature intended for the agency to do. Reeves vetoed the bill because he argued that it greatly expanded the power of a legislative committee and may have exceeded the constitutional authority of the legislative branch. House Bill 1085 This bill would have removed a grant program for Main Street projects in the state from under the Mississippi Development Authority, an executive agency directly under Reeves' control, to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, an agency governed by an independent board. Reeves argued that the legislation was unconstitutional because it combined general legislation with an appropriation bill, which the Mississippi Constitution prohibits. The governor compared the legislation to a 'duck-billed platypus that defies both logic and classification.' House Bill 1126 The bill would have set a maximum local match requirement for counties and municipalities that receive Gulf Coast Restoration funds to fund projects. Currently, the Mississippi Development Authority sets rules and regulations for a local match. The legislation capped the local match at either 20% of the total cost or the value of one mill of taxable property in the area, whichever is less, but Reeves vetoed the measure because it mandated requirements instead of allowing an agency to set flexible rules. Senate Bill 2386 and Senate Bill 2867 These two bills made technical amendments to the state's Medicaid program, often referred to as the 'Medicaid tech bill.' The main thrust of the two bills was to lock in place supplemental payment programs that have been a lifeline for hospitals. Reeves said in his veto message of Senate Bill 2867 that locking the supplemental payment program in place is in contradiction with another of the bill's mandates, which would change the program to allow out-of-state hospitals that border Mississippi to participate in the supplemental payment program. 'Complying with both requirements is a legal impossibility and places the Division, like Odysseus, between Scylla and Charybdis,' Reeves wrote. Reeves vetoed Senate Bill 2867 while the Legislature was still in session. Instead of overriding the veto, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 2386, a new Medicaid technology bill that addresses only some of Reeves' concerns. The governor also vetoed that bill. Senate Bill 2573 This bill would have created the Mississippi Department of Tourism, but Reeves vetoed the bill because legislative leaders failed to pass a budget during their regular session. The governor argued it would be irresponsible to create a new state agency without an accompanying budget. Senate Bill 2840 This bill would have allocated money for various projects around the state. Reeves argued the bill was unconstitutional because it combined general legislation with an appropriations bill, something the Mississippi Constitution prohibits. ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
