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Now that colder weather is upon us, it is beginning to feel a lot like flu season.  While we have not seen a lot of disease in North Carolina so far this year, we are learning of increased flu activity in other states.  Georgia, for example, saw a spike in cases in late November, an important reminder of the need to be immunized against flu.
 
This year’s flu vaccine includes protection against three strains of flu, including the H1N1 virus, so that means most people will only need one immunization to be protected.  Plenty of vaccine is still available in doctor’s offices, pharmacies, grocery stores, and of course, in local health departments. 

Last year, we immunized more than 1.6 million North Carolinians against H1N1 flu.  But with more than 9 million residents, there were still many more who did not get vaccinated, including more than 100 people in our state who died from flu last year.

While we are no longer in a pandemic, flu is still deadly for very young children, elderly people, and people who have chronic health conditions.  Pregnant women also are at risk for complications from flu.  Remember, flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent flu.

With college students coming home for the holidays and relatives visiting from other states, now is a good time to make sure that everyone in your family is protected against flu by being immunized and by emphasizing good handwashing practices in your home. 
 
Visit flu.nc.gov to use our convenient flu vaccine finder.

In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report clearly stating that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious threat to the public’s health, and eliminating smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places fully protects nonsmokers from this threat.

In North Carolina, tobacco use is the number one cause of premature death, and approximately 13,000 people lose their life to smoking-related deaths each year.  Our state recently took a major step in addressing this health concern. 

On January 2, 2010, a new law went into effect banning smoking in enclosed areas of all North Carolina restaurants and bars – and many other businesses – across the state. Under the law, smoking is no longer permitted inside 1) restaurants and other health-inspected businesses that serve food, 2) bars that hold ABC permits to serve alcohol, and 3) lodging establishments that prepare and serve food and drink.
So far, the vast majority of restaurants and bars are complying with the new law. As of Valentine’s Day, the state had received complaints against only 370 businesses out of more than 24,000 businesses that are subject to the law. With the large number of businesses affected by this brand new law, we expected that there needed to be some time to make sure businesses and the public understood the law.  As the word gets out, and more people understand the law, we anticipate there will be even fewer cases of non-compliance.

If a business appears to be allowing smoking, anyone can file a complaint through www.smokefree.nc.gov or by calling the N.C. CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030. Restaurants and bars that do not come into compliance may receive two warning letters and then a fine of up to $200 per day. 

The success of this law marks an important step in moving North Carolina toward becoming a healthier state.

For information on resources in North Carolina to help you quit smoking, visit the North Carolina Quit Line www.quitlinenc.com/  or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

For more information on the law, visit www.smokefree.nc.gov .

College mascots will be leading the charge to educate students about H1N1 immunization this month.   Special events during February basketball games at UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State, East Carolina, Fayetteville State, UNC-Wilmington, North Carolina A&T, UNC-Charlotte and Winston-Salem State will feature mascots wearing bandages on their arms with the message “The Flu Stops With Me.” 

Coach Sidney Lowe of N.C. State has even gotten involved, with a special announcement during the Wolfpack’s game this week against Virginia Tech and again on Feb. 17 at the RBC Center. 

College students continue to be the least protected against H1N1.  According to statistics from our Immunization Branch, just five percent of 19-24 year olds statewide have been immunized against this year’s flu. 

It has finally hit a warm streak in North Carolina. With warm weather and afternoon showers come pests like mosquitoes and ticks. For many, the pesky bugs are just a nuisance. However, they really are much more. They actually carry diseases that can cause sickness, paralysis and even death.

North Carolina has led the nation in cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted fever – a disease transmitted to people by ticks. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like La Crosse virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

This is the time to take action to prevent mosquitoes and ticks from breeding in your backyards. Simple measures like keeping grass short, removing any containers that hold water which can serve as mosquito breeding grounds and removing plants that attract wild animals like deer and rodents, which carry ticks.

It is also important to protect yourself and your family when you're outside enjoying North Carolina’s warm weather. Insect repellant is useful, particularly against mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellents against mosquitoes – DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Repellents containing permethrin provide excellent protection against ticks but may only be used on clothing. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients, and should read and follow all label instructions.

Exposure to both mosquitoes and ticks can be limited by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. People should also check themselves and their families for ticks when they are in tick-prone areas.

For additional information on mosquitoes and ticks, visit the following Web sites: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm, www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbovirus and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/tick.