Mesa County Health Department issues a Public Health Update each week to keep residents up-to-date on local health concerns. Be sure to keep up with our blog, so you don’t miss an update.
dangers
of raw milk
of raw milk
·
More than 2,000 people became sick nationwide after
drinking raw milk between 1998 and 2011. More than 200 of those were
hospitalized and two died.
More than 2,000 people became sick nationwide after
drinking raw milk between 1998 and 2011. More than 200 of those were
hospitalized and two died.
·
Unpasteurized (raw) milk and unpasteurized milk
products such as cheese and yogurt, can contain bacteria, viruses or parasites that
can cause severe illness with sometimes fatal consequences.
Unpasteurized (raw) milk and unpasteurized milk
products such as cheese and yogurt, can contain bacteria, viruses or parasites that
can cause severe illness with sometimes fatal consequences.
·
Many people choose to drink raw milk believing
it will improve their health, but pasteurization is an important part of food
safety.
Many people choose to drink raw milk believing
it will improve their health, but pasteurization is an important part of food
safety.
·
Getting sick from raw milk can mean many days of
diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting. Less commonly, it can mean kidney
failure, paralysis and even death.
Getting sick from raw milk can mean many days of
diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting. Less commonly, it can mean kidney
failure, paralysis and even death.
·
Even if you trust the farmer and your store, raw
milk is never a guaranteed safe product.
Even if you trust the farmer and your store, raw
milk is never a guaranteed safe product.
·
If you’ve had raw milk and didn’t get sick,
don’t assume it’s safe. Germs are unpredictable.
If you’ve had raw milk and didn’t get sick,
don’t assume it’s safe. Germs are unpredictable.
·
Infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant
women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of getting
sick from drinking raw milk.
Infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant
women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of getting
sick from drinking raw milk.
·
If you purchase milk from a local farmer, be
sure it is pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk doesn’t offer added health benefits,
but it does increase your risk of getting sick.
If you purchase milk from a local farmer, be
sure it is pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk doesn’t offer added health benefits,
but it does increase your risk of getting sick.
lightning
safety
safety
·
Many Mesa County residents have recently noticed,
and even photographed, increased lightning strikes in the Grand Valley.
Many Mesa County residents have recently noticed,
and even photographed, increased lightning strikes in the Grand Valley.
·
According to the NOAA, 400 people are struck by
lightning annually nationwide. On average, between 55 and 60 people are killed
and hundreds of others suffer permanent neurological disabilities.
According to the NOAA, 400 people are struck by
lightning annually nationwide. On average, between 55 and 60 people are killed
and hundreds of others suffer permanent neurological disabilities.
·
All thunderstorms produce lightning and are
dangerous. If you can hear thunder, you’re in danger.
All thunderstorms produce lightning and are
dangerous. If you can hear thunder, you’re in danger.
·
Proper planning can prevent injury and death due
to lightning strikes.
Proper planning can prevent injury and death due
to lightning strikes.
·
Know where you’ll go for safety and how much
time it will take to get there, or simply postpone activities if a storm has
been forecasted.
Know where you’ll go for safety and how much
time it will take to get there, or simply postpone activities if a storm has
been forecasted.
·
Avoid open areas and stay away from isolated
trees, towers or utility poles.
Avoid open areas and stay away from isolated
trees, towers or utility poles.
·
Keep away from electrical equipment, wiring and
water. Don’t take a bath, shower or use other plumbing during a storm and don’t
use a corded phone except in an emergency.
Keep away from electrical equipment, wiring and
water. Don’t take a bath, shower or use other plumbing during a storm and don’t
use a corded phone except in an emergency.
·
If someone has been struck by lightning, call
for help and give first aid. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for
those who die, so take quick action.
If someone has been struck by lightning, call
for help and give first aid. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for
those who die, so take quick action.
·
When thunder roars, go indoors.
When thunder roars, go indoors.
For more
information, visit health.mesacounty.us and mesacountyhealth.com.
information, visit health.mesacounty.us and mesacountyhealth.com.