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Wednesday, 26 May 2010 21:24 |
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PARENTS REMINDED OF SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
INDIANAPOLIS – State health officials are reminding parents of school immunization requirements for the 2010-2011 school year, which include some additional vaccinations. Parents should ensure their children are up-to-date before the start of the next school year.
“Diseases like chickenpox, meningitis, and pertussis are not diseases of the past,” said Joan Duwve, M.D., medical director for Immunizations at the Indiana State Department of Health. “They are still with us and circulating in Indiana schools.”
Dr. Duwve reports during the previous six months there have been six confirmed outbreaks of chickenpox at schools in Indiana. In addition, there has been an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) activity in the state. Of the 391 reported cases in 2009, 174 were among school-aged children (ages 5-19).
In addition to the previously required immunizations, students entering grades 6th through 12th must have appropriate documentation of the following vaccinations: Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, accellular pertussis) vaccine, MCV4-(Menactra or Menveo)(meningococcal conjugate) vaccine, and two varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations appropriately spaced per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children entering preschool or kindergarten at an accredited K-12 school (not daycare centers) must now have two appropriately documented varicella (chickenpox) vaccines, separated by at least three months.
Parents can find out all the immunizations their children need for school, based on age, by visiting the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at: www.statehealth.in.gov/17094.htm or calling 1-800-701-0704.
“Our goal is to keep children healthy and in school,” said Dr. Duwve. “Good health doesn’t happen by itself. Ensuring your child is up-to-date on all required vaccinations protects not only your child, but also teachers, school staff, and other children in your community.”
Due to funds from the recent increase in the tobacco tax, the Indiana Immunization Program is able to ensure all required immunizations are available to every child in Indiana, even those without health insurance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an updated National Immunization Survey, which showed Indiana now ranks 6th in the nation for childhood immunizations (for children aged 19-35 months).
“The addition of state funding for vaccine to the immunization program in 2007 has been invaluable,” said Dr. Duwve. “It has allowed us to eliminate some of the barriers to vaccination in Indiana and protect more of our children. However, there is still more work to do, especially in vaccinating adolescents.”
According to a 2008 National Immunization Survey, only 53.6 percent of adolescents aged 13-17 had received the recommended doses of Td (tetanus toxoid-diphtheria) or Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, accellular pertussis) vaccine, and only 31.8 percent had received the recommended doses of the MCV4-(meningococcal conjugate) vaccine for bacterial meningitis. INDIANAPOLIS – State health officials are reminding parents of school immunization requirements for the 2010-2011 school year, which include some additional vaccinations. Parents should ensure their children are up-to-date before the start of the next school year.
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Friday, 21 May 2010 15:44 |
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cn 5-19
Hoosier National Forest Reminds Visitors of Firewood Ban
Bedford, IN (May 13, 2010) — Anne Carey, District Ranger on the Hoosier National Forest reminds anyone planning a visit to the Hoosier National Forest that unauthorized firewood is banned from being brought into the Forest.
With Memorial Day and the height of the recreation season approaching Carey wanted to be sure people remember the new policies in place for firewood. According to Carey, “The emerald ash borer is a threat to our forest we can’t ignore. Even though it has been found in a few places in southern Indiana, we have a real chance of slowing further spread of the beetle if we all work together.”
The Asian beetle preys on ash trees. Carey explains the beetle moves very slowly on its own but spreads quickly with the movement of firewood or nursery stock. Eliminating infested firewood coming onto the Hoosier will hopefully stop the leap-frog pattern of infested sites.
Campers and other visitors can still bring in pine firewood or other conifer wood and kiln dried lumber. They can also buy or bring in firewood certified by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or the Indiana DNR. A link to a list of vendors selling certified firewood is available from the Forest website. She also notes, “Visitors may collect downed wood from the Forest floor to use while camping.”
For further information, contact Chris Thornton, Silviculturist at 812-547-9235 or Judi Perez, Public Affairs Officer 812-276-4770. BEDFORD — Anne Carey, District Ranger on the Hoosier National Forest reminds anyone planning a visit to the Hoosier National Forest that unauthorized firewood is banned from being brought into the Forest.
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Thursday, 20 May 2010 14:37 |
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The Home & Family Conference will be held June 9-11 on the campus of Purdue University, West Lafayette.
Highlights of the conference include: Two keynote speakers, Melody Makers of Indiana IEHA Chorus, educational programs, tours, making new friends, and renewing previous relationships.
The Wednesday luncheon keynote speaker will be Paula Monsalve, a 1965 Purdue graduate. Paula will share her story through music.
Thursday morning’s keynote address will be Dr. Mike Thomson, a speaker and author. Dr. Mike will share his excitement as he speaks about good character, ethics and problem solving. The Friday closing luncheon speaker will be Marsha Wilkinson, a retired special education teacher. Marsha’s fun-loving personality will entertain and inspire.
Concurrent sessions include: CFS Jeopardy Style; Glimpse of Norway; Designing on Barn Quilt; Financial First Aid Kit; Going Green; Eat Dessert First; Bleeding Disorders; Strong Women/Strong Bones; Small Pot Gardening; Elkhart County Quilt Gardens.
Tours include:
Wabash and Erie Canal; Wind Farms; Quilt Shop; Hand Blown Glass Studio; Executive Chef at Purdue; Horticultural Gardens.
Other activities include:
Fashion Show; Logo Sales; Cultural Arts Exhibit; Window Displays; Ice Cream Social; Exhibitors/Vendors; Annual IEHA Business Meeting; Awards Program.
Conference brochures with registration forms are available at the Extension Office or online at www.ieha-families.org. For more information, call 244-7615 or 625-3313.
The Home & Family Conference will be held June 9-11 on the campus of Purdue University, West Lafayette.
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Friday, 14 May 2010 12:37 |
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cn 5-12
Smokey Bear birthday at Roush Lake
Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash will be held Saturday, May 22, at J. Edward Roush Lake near Huntington, in the Kilsoquah State Recreation Area, and is open to both day visitors and campers.
The fun starts with decorating for the party at 4:30 p.m., followed by bike and belt decorating at 6 p.m. Those who plan to ride bikes in the 6:45 p.m. parade need to wear a helmet and shoes. At 7 p.m., cookies, punch and ice cream will be served to guests, and there will be a drawing to win a prize. For a donation, guests can get their photo taken with Smokey.
Events will be held at the interpretive program shelter in the Kilsoquah SRA Campground on State Road 224, southeast of Huntington. Plenty of visitor parking is available. The party is free; there is a $5 per in-state car entrance fee ($7 for out-of-state vehicles) to enter the recreation area. Donations are accepted for photos printed of your child at the site.
To find out more about the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, including programs at Mississinewa, J. Edward Roush, or Salamonie reservoirs, call (260) 468-2127 or visit www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis/. Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash will be held Saturday, May 22, at J. Edward Roush Lake near Huntington, in the Kilsoquah State Recreation Area, and is open to both day visitors and campers.
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Thursday, 29 April 2010 11:37 |
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The Sheriffs Youth Leadership Camp is a program provided by the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association for boys and girls who have completed the seventh or eighth grade in school and are interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement. The camp provides a very meaningful experience and relationship with other campers from throughout the state. Sheriffs and department personnel serve as counselors and instructors at the camp.
The annual Indiana Sheriffs Youth Leadership Camp will consist of two sessions again this year. The first session will be held July 6-8 for the Northern half of the state at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village, Indiana (Warren County). The second session will be held July 6-8 serving the Southern part of the state at Waycross Episcopal Camp in Morgantown, Indiana (Brown County).
Any boy or girl in the seventh or eighth grade of school interested in attending the camp should contact their school counselor or the local Sheriff’s Office to obtain an application for the camp. In the past, local businesses and civic organizations have provided the registration fee to sponsor students attending camp. This usually can be arranged by the sheriff making contact with local businesses or civic organizations informing them of how many students he has within the county desiring to attend the camp. For more information, contact the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office 244-6410 or the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association office (800) 622-4779. The Sheriffs Youth Leadership Camp is a program provided by the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association for boys and girls who have completed the seventh or eighth grade in school and are interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement. The camp provides a very meaningful experience and relationship with other campers from throughout the state. Sheriffs and department personnel serve as counselors and instructors at the camp.
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Thursday, 22 April 2010 15:05 |
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NORTH WEBSTER–To meet the production goals of Indiana’s statewide muskie stocking program, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists collected nearly 1.5 million eggs this spring from adult female muskies at Webster Lake.
The eggs were taken from 35 female muskies and fertilized with milt from male muskies, both of which were captured in large trap nets set at six locations between March 30 and April 6 in the 774-acre Kosciusko County lake.
During the eight-day period, biologists netted 128 muskies, including 74 males and 19 additional immature or “spent” females that had already released their eggs.
“We set a record this year for the fewest number of days needed for egg-taking,” said Dave Clary, manager of the Fawn River State Fish Hatchery in Orland. “It usually takes 10 to 15 days.”
“The weather probably had a lot to due with our quick success this spring,” Clary said.
According to Clary, weather changes and variable water temperatures can cause fluctuations and delays in muskie egg development.
Of the nearly 1.5 million eggs obtained this year, more than half (44) were taken on April 3. The largest female muskie captured was 46.5 inches long.
Biologists extracted and fertilized more than 600,000 eggs, which also broke the record for a single day egg-take. Once the muskie eggs were fertilized, Clary transported them to the Fawn River Hatchery where they were placed in hatching jars. Just before hatching, the eggs were shipped to East Fork State Fish Hatchery in southwest Indiana, where the newly hatched muskie fry will be fed tiny pellets similar to food for aquarium fish.
“The young muskies will be raised throughout the summer at East Fork Hatchery, fed live minnows for 30 days in the fall, and then stocked in various public lakes throughout the state,” Clary said. “They are normally 8 to 10 inches long by the time they are stocked.” NORTH WEBSTER–To meet the production goals of Indiana’s statewide muskie stocking program, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists collected nearly 1.5 million eggs this spring from adult female muskies at Webster Lake.
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