CDC Information on Coronavirus

Jefferson County Health Department works with MO Department of Health and Senior Services and CDC to stay informed and up to date on disease related information including the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Our department, along with providers, receives updates to information as it becomes available which provides guidance for care. There are no local concerns at this time.

We are following the CDC recommendations: if you have traveled to China in the last 2 weeks and are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), contact your healthcare provider.

Click here for more information about Coronavirus from the CDC.

Have You Tested Your Kiddo for Lead?

What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning is when a person’s health and/or body functions are negatively impacted because of lead exposure from what they eat, breathe, or touch. Lead poisoning is a serious concern, especially for children because they are still developing. There is no safe level of lead exposure in children. Exposure can lead to serious harm on a child’s health/development and can lead to long-term issues.

Blood Lead Testing

A blood lead level test is the most common way to find out if your child has been exposed to lead and has detectable amounts in their blood. It is not usually noticeable through symptoms, so testing is important. We start with a capillary finger stick here in the office, which usually takes about 3 minutes for the results. If the capillary level is 5 or greater we will draw a confirmatory venous level. The results for the venous draw take roughly 48-72 hours.

The blood lead level testing is offered at no cost here at the health department. We are open Monday-Friday from 8am-5:30pm and can offer blood lead testing at each of our 3 locations. Give us a call at 636-797-3737 to schedule your child’s appointment.

Jefferson County Health Department and Provident Behavioral Health Add Brittany Casnar as New Therapist

Organizations have successful partnership to meet the needs of county residents

January 2020 (Jefferson County) – The Jefferson County Health Department and Provident Behavioral Health are pleased to announce they have added Brittany Casnar to their team of therapists. The two organizations began a partnership in 2018 to address the mental health needs of county residents through shared offices in High Ridge and Hillsboro as well as through their Mobile Wellness Van. The partnership is funded by the Jefferson Foundation.

Ms. Casnar is a Jefferson County resident who was in private practice before joining the team. She will provide direct counseling to adult and youth clients in individual, family and group settings.

“We have our own regional subculture in Jefferson County, and while the financial burden of mental health care is not unique, our obstacles, experiences, and attitudes are,” said Casnar. “I understand how even entertaining the idea that you could benefit from therapy can be just as difficult as taking the next step and reaching out for help.  There are a lot of reasons why accepting help can be difficult, but cost or lack of access should not be one them.  I’m proud to be working with two organizations that not only understand those barriers, but are actively working to remove them.”

“Research has consistently shown the overwhelming need for mental healthcare in Jefferson County. Our department’s partnership with Provident has allowed us to offer professional services that are conveniently located and affordable. We’re helping our friends and neighbors see the positive impact that caring for their mental health can have on almost every area of their lives,” said Kelley Vollmar, Director of Jefferson County Health Department.

An assessment conducted by the Jefferson Foundation in 2005 found that 59% of area providers identified mental health and psychiatric services as either a “high” or a crisis-level” priority. The 2017 Jefferson County Behavioral Health Profile found, “In Eastern (excluding St. Louis) Missouri, 17.3% of those 18 and older had a mental illness in the past year; 6.7% of those ages 18+ had at least one major depressive episode in the past year; and county students in 6th-12th grades reported 13.7% had considered suicide in the last year, 9.1% made a plan, and 1.2% actually attempted, resulting in an injury. In 2014, 48 Jefferson County residents died by suicide.”

Residents can schedule an appointment by calling Provident’s Information and First Appointment number at 314-533-8200 or Ms. Casnar at 314-657-7224.

“Our team works every day to improve lives through exceptional behavioral health. We’re honored to continue partnering with the Jefferson County Health Department to make a difference in this region,” said Lindsay Jeffries, LPC, CRC, CFTP, Director of Clinical Services with Provident.

Folic Acid Awareness Week

What is folic acid?

o Folic acid is a b vitamin. Folate is the natural form found in foods, folic acid is the synthetic version of folate.

Folic acid and pregnancy

o Getting folic acid before and during pregnancy is very important because it can reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

o These birth defects happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, usually before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Why is it important?

o Folic acid is important for proper development including producing DNA and cell growth and reproduction

How much should I get?

o typical dosing is 250 mcg daily

o women of childbearing age should take 400 mcg daily

o pregnant women should take 600 mcg daily

How do I get folic acid?

o Food: spinach, leafy greens, beans, fortified cereals, pasta, and bread

o Supplementation: folic acid, multivitamins, prenatal vitamins

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Products Produced With Romaine From the Salinas, California, Growing Region

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 associated with romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region. FSIS warns against consuming any wraps, sandwiches, prepackaged salad, salad kits, or other product containing romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region. Additionally, consumers should not eat any salad products identified in a Missa Bay, LLC, recall announced by FSIS on November 21, 2019.

On November 22, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers, retailers, and restaurants not to eat or sell any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region. Most romaine lettuce products at retail are labeled with a harvest location showing where they were grown. CDC and the FDA are advising that if this voluntary label indicates that the romaine lettuce was grown in “Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location) do not eat it. If the romaine does not have information about harvest region or does not indicate that it has been grown indoors (i.e. hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown), throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.  

FSIS-regulated establishments are advised not to serve, ship, or sell products that contain romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region. This advice includes all types of romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and packages of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad. If you do not know the source of your romaine lettuce, and if you cannot obtain that information from your supplier, you should not serve, ship, or sell the product.  

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/