1.24.2012
Mailing Samples
Since the USPS announced they are shuffling their mail centers, mail service to Pierre from some parts of the state has gone downhill. If you are struggling to get samples to us in a timely manner, please call Director Mike Smith. We will see if there is a courier route close to you.
Radon Month
January is National Radon Month. Radon is found in every county of the state and almost all counties have average radon levels in homes that average over the recommended 4.0 pCi. The Public Health Laboratory provides radon testing for $17.00 which includes the collection kit and the analysis. Please call us to request a kit. The Environmental Protection Agency website contains much information regarding radon. It can be found at www.epa.gov/radon.
Influenza Activity
Our epidemiologists have rated the influenza activity for the week as sporadic. So far this season we have 13 confirmed cases of influenza, all influenza A. While there has been hospitalizations due to the flu, so far no deaths have been recorded. You may track influenza activity at doh.sd.gov/Flu/. Nationally the picture is as follows:
Influenza activity in the United States remains relatively low.
NO influenza activity was reported in 3 states;
SPORADIC activity in 38 states (including South Dakota);
LOCAL activity in 8 states;
REGIONAL activity in 1 state (Colorado);
WIDESPREAD influenza activity in 0 states.
Among our neighboring all states (North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota) reported SPORADIC activity.
Infectious Disease Surveillance
Our epi’s have also posted last year’s infectious disease summary. It can be found at doh.sd.gov/ID/MonthlyReport/Dec-2011.pdf. In 2011, campylobacter, cryptosporidium, and gonorrhea all were above the 5 year median. HIV, pertussis and West Nile showed a dramatic decrease.
For those of you interested in infectious disease, one of the world’s premier conferences will be convened in Atlanta in early March. Information on The International Conference on Emerging Infectious Disease can be found at www.iceid.org/. Major topics to be included are current work on surveillance, epidemiology, research, communication and training, bioterrorism, and preventions and control of emerging infectious diseases, both in the United States and abroad.
Environmental Issues:
Drinking Water Monitoring
All drinking water operators should have received your system’s 2012 monitoring schedules. Please sign and return to us so we can get your sampling kits on the schedule.
It was great to see many of you at the Rural Water Association’s Legislative Reception. Thanks for stopping to visit.
Educational Opportunity
The Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute are pleased to present the CLSI 2012 AST Update. Each January CLSI updates standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). It is important that clinical laboratories are up to date on the latest recommendations. Faculty is Janet A. Hindler, MCLS MT(ASCP), Senior Specialist, Clinical Microbiology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles. You may attend either February 1 or February 2. Registration and further information can be found at www.aphl.org/courses/Documents/2012/2012%20Teleconf%20JanMar%20v04.pdf.
Employee News
Three Laboratory employees recently celebrated work anniversaries. Chemist Nancee Knox has been with us for 24 years. Nancee works in both the inorganic and forensic laboratories. Linda Foster is a Laboratory Technician who assists in the Tuberculosis Laboratories, plus works in the support area. Linda has been with us for 31 years. Laboratory Director Mike Smith has been with the Laboratory for 38 years. Mike worked in and supervised the environmental laboratories prior to becoming laboratory director.
For information on any of the above, please contact us at DOH.info@state.sd.us or call us at 605-773-3368.
