Posts tagged Boulder County Public Health
Smoking ban on Pearl Street Mall has Teeth
Mar 21st
Enforcement of smoking ban on Pearl Street Mall begins April 1
The ordinance banning smoking on the Pearl Street Mall went into effect on Jan. 18, 2013. The ordinance bans all smoking between 11th and 15th streets on the Pearl Street Mall, and on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse. The maximum penalty for a first or second offense within two years is a fine of $500; a third and subsequent conviction within two years triggers the general penalty provision of a maximum $1,000 fine and/or maximum of 90 days in jail.
Boulder police officers who patrol on the Pearl Street Mall have been educating people about the smoking ban since it went into effect, and have not written any tickets while the signs were being manufactured. On Monday, April 1, the ordinance will be fully implemented, and enforcement will begin.
Signs were ordered after City Council approved the ordinance in December; however there was a delay in the sign manufacturing. The signs on the mall are custom enameled and take longer to fabricate. The enamel signs are more resistant to graffiti and other tampering.
The city is collaborating with several partners, including Boulder County Public Health and Downtown Boulder, Inc. (DBI), to create a coordinated educational campaign for downtown employees and visitors about the smoking ban on the mall. A celebration event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall, where county, city and DBI staff will be available to answer questions about the smoking ban and about free resources available for individuals who wish to quit smoking.
Skeeters carrying West Nile virus are HERE!
Jul 11th
First mosquito pool tests positive for West Nile Virus in City of Boulder
The City of Boulder received notification today of the season’s first mosquito pool to test positive for West Nile Virus within city limits. The mosquito sample was pooled from three different traps that came from Tom Watson Park, Christensen Park and Stazio Ball Fields. The infected mosquitoes could have come from any of those sites, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are present at all three.
No human cases have been reported in Colorado so far this season; however, the city urges residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to drain standing water to prevent mosquito breeding sites.
Keep safe this summer and remember the four D’s:
1. Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
2. DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
3. Avoid the outdoors from DUSK until DAWN.
4. DRAIN standing water outside your home.
Mosquito activity this year has been lower than usual so far due to the dry conditions. However, the type of mosquitoes that have the ability to transmit West Nile Virus have been present in greater percentages earlier in the season than in previous years.
City residents can help minimize the spread of West Nile Virus by eliminating any potential breeding grounds from around their properties:
- Clean gutters regularly.
- Change water in bird baths every three days.
- Check and empty any outside items that collect standing water (flower pots, lawn ornaments and toys).
- Do not overwater lawns.
- Keep trash cans covered and clean.
For general information about West Nile Virus, visit Boulder County Public Health’s website or call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 877-462-2911 or the Boulder County Hotline at 303-441-1460.
CU-Boulder student treated for meningitis
Oct 17th
A 21-year-old female student at the University of Colorado Boulder was diagnosed late on Friday with meningococcal meningitis according to county and university health officials. The student, who is a junior living off campus, is in stable condition at Boulder Community Hospital.
Boulder County Public Health officials are investigating the single case. No other cases of the disease have been confirmed by county or state officials at present.
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that causes infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease may be spread to others; however, this is uncommon.
“Most of those CU community members who have had close contact with this student have already been contacted and offered treatment by Boulder County Public Health,” said Dr. Don Misch, CU-Boulder assistant vice chancellor for health and wellness.
The risk to other people is minimal and is confined to those who have had close contact with the patient. Close contact includes kissing; sharing cigarettes, drinks, glasses or eating utensils; and being exposed to secretions from the nose or throat of the infected person.
“Others, particularly undergraduate students who have never been vaccinated for meningococcal meningitis or have not been vaccinated in the past five years, should consider getting the vaccination,” Misch said. “On a university campus, those at greatest risk in general for meningococcal meningitis are students living in residence halls, so these individuals should especially consider vaccination at Wardenburg Health Center or from their personal health care provider.”
“Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this severe disease,” said Murielle Romine, Boulder County Public Health communicable disease control program coordinator.
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis can include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, irritability, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, rash, disorientation and confusion. A person may be infected for one to 10 days, and most commonly three to four days, before showing any symptoms.
The last reported case of meningococcal meningitis at CU-Boulder was in March 2006. That student, a male, recovered fully.
Those who are interested in getting the vaccination can go to Wardenburg Health Center from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Wardenburg Health Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parents of all incoming freshmen receive a letter during the summer with information about the recommendation for immunization.
For more information on meningococcal meningitis and the vaccination, check the Wardenburg website at http://healthcenter.colorado.edu or http://www.BoulderCountyHealth.org, and click on Meningococcal Information.
