Put It In Writing
What You Need To Know About Living Wills

The Township of Hanover Health Department will present the program, “Put It in Writing – What You Need to Know about Living Wills” upon request.

Living Wills, along with a trusted person to make decisions, allow a patient to determine what and how much medical care will be provided for him/her. Participants will look at what has been learned from the Schiavo case and will determine what is best for them.

The program will be made available to organizations in the Township of Hanover. To request a program for an organization, please call (973) 515-6641.

Other Health Seminars: Is your group or organization need a speaker on a health topic? Subjects include:

“Mind Aerobics – Jump Start Your Memory”

“What’s Bugging You? Tick-Borne Diseases”

“Matters of the Heart – Keeping Your Heart in the Best Shape”

“What Color are Your Glasses? – The Positive Power of Optimism” and others

A limited number of presentations will be available throughout the year and will be limited to meetings in the Township of Hanover. For more information, please leave a message at 973-515-6641.

“Parenting our Parents” and care giving of older relatives/spouses is becoming widespread. If there is a sufficient need in the Township of Hanover, a support group may be arranged. For information/interest, please leave a message at 973-515-6641.

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CLINICS: Information regarding our programs is published periodically in the Hanover Eagle and Regional Weekly News and the Tuesday's edition of the Daily Record's Health Happenings section. Clinic information is also provided through the Health Department’s voice mail system by dialing (973) 428-2484 and then pressing option 1. Updated clinic information will be posted on the Township of Hanover’s web site.  Influenza clinics are normally held in October and November and the rabies vaccination clinic is normally held the first Saturday in November.  These clinics have not yet been scheduled.  When scheduled, these clinics will be advertised as mentioned above.

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CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE: The Township of Hanover Health Department will provide Child Health Conference services to eligible residents. This service consists of vaccinations and periodic “well child” examinations by a physician.  This service is available to children birth – 18 of age.  To qualify you must be a resident of Hanover Township, have no Health Insurance or have Health Insurance that does not cover vaccinations and/ or well child visits.  This service is free of charge.  Please contact Hanover Township Public Health Nurse for additional information or for an appointment- 973-515-6668.  Assistance to apply for NJ Family Care is available.

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BLOOD PRESSURE: The Township of Hanover Health Department will be offering a monthly Blood Pressure Screening Clinic the first Wednesday of each month (September through June) from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the Public Meeting Room of the Township of Hanover Municipal Building, 1000 Route 10, Whippany. All residents over the age of 18 years are welcome to attend.

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PROPER HANDLING OF PETS EXPOSED TO SUSPECTED RABID ANIMALS:  Dogs and cats which have been fighting with raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, or foxes may have saliva on their fur which could be a source of human exposure to rabies.  The rabies virus can remain alive in saliva until the saliva dries completely.  Human exposure can occur if wet saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with an open wound (one which has been bleeding within the last 24 hours) or a mucous membrane (i.e., eyes).  This may occur when a pet is handled immediately after fighting with a wild animal if saliva from the suspect rabid animal is on the fur.  If the dog or cat's fur was dry, then contact with your pet would not constitute a rabies exposure.

To prevent exposure to rabies, it is recommended that dogs and cats with saliva-contaminated fur not be touched with bare hands until the saliva has totally dried.  If the pet is injured or must be handled after fighting with a suspect rabid animal, rubber gloves should be worn by the handlers and their hands should be washed with soap and water afterwards.  Pet owners can put on rubber gloves and carefully wash the pet off, or once the saliva has dried (usually within two hours), the pet can be handled or bathed safely without gloves.  People who may have had contact with saliva from a known or suspect rabid animal should contact the Health Department and their physician to determine if anti-rabies treatment is indicated.

The State Department of Health is frequently questioned about the rabies exposure risk to people licked by their dog after the dog was recently exposed to a rabid animal.  The only time this would be considered a potential risk is if the dog licks a person immediately (within a minute or less) after exposure to the rabid animal and the saliva contaminates an open wound, cut or mucous membranes.  Later contact with oral secretions from the dog would not be considered a rabies exposure.

Remember, the best way of protecting yourself and your family against rabies is to avoid touching wild animals and have your pets properly vaccinated and licensed.  If your pet has been in contact with a wild animal (i.e. raccoon, skunk, bat, groundhog, fox, etc.) you must notify the Health Department at 973-515-6640.

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PROTECT THE WHIPPANY RIVER WATERSHED: Rivers, lakes and ponds could be severely polluted by the improper use of lawn fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers and pesticides could get washed into water bodies with stormwater runoff and could possibly cause fish kills. They could also cause excessive aquatic plant and algae growth which is unsightly and will cause the waterbody to fill up quickly with sediments. Have your soil tested before you apply fertilizer, your lawn may not need it. Contact the Morris County Cooperative Extension Service (973-285-8300) for more information on soil testing and pest control. The cost for soil testing is usually $10.00.

Do not dump anything into storm drains since they are directly connected to our rivers and lakes. Also, please pick up and dispose of your pet waste. Pet waste will contaminate stormwater which eventually reaches and effects the sanitary quality of our rivers, lakes and streams.

Over the past 10 years the Whippany River has greatly improved. Let's protect and improve our valuable water resources (i.e. Whippany River and Bee Meadow Ponds) by properly using fertilizers and pesticides and by picking up after our pets.

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HOSPITAL PERFORMANCE REPORT: The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services 2006 Hospital Performance Report can be found at www.nj.gov/health/hpr

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MRPHP WEBSITE: The primary role of the Morris Regional Public Health Partnership (MRPHP) member municipalities is to continue the delivery of “traditional” public health services. This role includes environmentally related services and the creation and implementation of a countywide system of public health and bio-terrorism related surveillance and response.  The MRPHP's website can be found at www.morrispublichealth.org 

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NEW JERSEY STATE CONSUMER HEALTH CARE PUBLICATIONS: Publications on topics such as cardiac surgery, nursing home performance report, bariatric surgery, and HMOs are available on the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services web site at www.nj.gov/health/reportcards.htm

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WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY

Morris County West Nile Virus Task Force

News Release

Residents are advised to take precautions to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

 -   Eliminate standing water in flowerpots, birdbaths, buckets/barrels, tires, pools, roof gutters, etc.  If you wish to save rainwater to use in your garden it should be  used up within a week.  Mosquitoes that breed around the home are primarily responsible for transmitting West Nile Virus to humans!

-   Wear long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors

-   During spring, summer and fall spray insect repellant on clothing and exposed skin in accordance with labeling instructions.

-   Repair window and door screens.

-   Avoid outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and during the evening hours.   

The state-wide West Nile Virus plan for 2008 includes dead crow and dead blue jay surveillance and testing which will be conducted by local health departments as well as mosquito collection and testing which will be conducted by the local mosquito commissions.  Based on the data collected, recommendations will be made regarding mosquito control and the prevention of disease transmission.

The West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infective mosquito that has picked up the virus while feeding on an infected bird.  In a very small number of cases, West Nile Virus also has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.  There is no evidence that would indicate that West Nile virus is transmitted directly from infected bird to humans.  West Nile Virus can also seriously affect horses.  Please contact your local veterinarian or New Jersey Department of Agriculture at www.state.nj.us/agriculture/westnile.htm  for more information on West Nile Virus’s effect on horses.

Local Health Departments in the area will continue to participate in the State's Surveillance program by collecting dead crows and dead blue jays. Dead crows and blue jays in fresh condition will be picked up and sent to the state laboratories.  In addition, local health departments will accept reports on all dead crows, blue jays, raptors (e.g., hawks) and thrushes (e.g., robins).

The West Nile virus was first isolated and identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September 1999 in dead birds in New York City and Westchester County.  West Nile virus infection generally causes no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms.  However, the elderly are at higher risk of more severe disease.

New Jersey's WNV surveillance, control and prevention efforts involve the coordinated efforts of a number of federal, state and local agencies.  These include the New Jersey Departments of Health and Senior Services, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Mosquito Control Commission, the Rutgers Mosquito Research and Control Unit, and local health and mosquito control agencies.

Thus, no human or equine cases have been identified.  Of 112 birds from 17 countries, 21 birds have been identified as West Nile virus positive.  In addition, a total of 313 mosquito pools have been identified as West Nile virus positive.

Morris County residents may report mosquito problems and standing water to the Morris County Mosquito Commission at (973) 285-6450.  For general information on West Nile virus, please visit or contact your local health department.  In addition, information may be obtained from the State Department of Health and Senior Services website at www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile/enceph.htm , CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ or at the Morris County Mosquito Commission website at www.morrismosquito.org .  The Morris County Mosquito Commission website also provides up-to-date information on where and when mosquito spraying will be occurring.

DEP ISSUES ALERT ON MOSQUITOES AND WEST NILE VIRUS

(10/P96) TRENTON --- Although summer is coming to a close, state mosquito experts today cautioned the mosquito season has not ended, and warned that late summer and early fall are the most critical times of the year to be aware of the potential for the dangers of contracting West Nile virus and other viruses from mosquito bites.

There are now 11 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus infection in New Jersey, said Bob Kent, Administrator of the DEP's Office of Mosquito Control Coordination. Included is a finding made today that a 76-year-old Camden County man with multiple underlying medical conditions and who died last month tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

Mosquitoes shift their biting behavior in search of a blood meal at this time of year and may attack at any time of day, not just during the hours around sunrise and sunset, said Kent, who is urging state residents to take some basic steps to protect themselves and help reduce the mosquito population.

"Summer may be about over but mosquitoes still want one more bite before winter,'' said Kent. "West Nile virus is active in the state and will be until these insects stop flying, which may not be until the end of October.''

Kent stressed the state Mosquito Control Commission, which is under the jurisdiction of the DEP, is working closely with mosquito agencies in all 21 counties on mosquito prevention and eradication programs. The State and counties jointly offer surveillance, ground and air spraying efforts, biological control and research to deal with the mosquito population. The goal is to proactively prevent West Nile Virus or other diseases from getting into the human population.   

Most of the Commission's $1.3 million annual budget is used for research, testing and spraying efforts that supplement county funded mosquito programs.

The State Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed 11 human cases of West Nile Virus in Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic counties. Also, 117 birds have died from confirmed cases of the virus in Atlantic, Burlington, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris and Ocean counties.

Positive specimens of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been confirmed in all counties. In addition, positive mosquito specimens carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been collected in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

This is a very difficult year as infection rates due to mosquito bites have been early, frequent and higher than average,'' said Amy Cradic, DEP Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources, whose agency oversees the State's mosquito control efforts. "So we are asking residents to be careful and diligent in dealing with mosquitoes.''

Kent urged residents to take a few precautions when outdoors to avoid being bitten. Included are wearing long sleeve and light-colored shirts and pants, and avoiding areas where masses of mosquitoes congregate. Also, avoid using perfumes and colognes while outdoors, but do use a federal EPA-approved repellent.

Here are some tips on how to limit mosquito colonies on your property:

* Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.

* Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.

* Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left out of doors.

* Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.

* Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.

* Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths.

* Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.

* Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.

* Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.

* Maintain mechanical barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water.

If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968. 

For more DEP information go to: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile

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NEED HELP?

The uncertain economy is leaving people who have never had to seek assistance before in a position that is very unfamiliar and frustrating.  This listing may be a helpful starting point.  Eligibility criteria and benefits will vary according to income and family size.  In addition to the services listed, your local health department provides free or low cost screening clinics and immunizations.

Please share the following information with anyone who may have a need:

Vision:  Information and Referral Prevent Blindness has several programs with varying qualifications such as uninsured or income limits. For children/adults 1-800-850-2020 www.preventblindness.org/tristate.

Eye Care America
1-800-222-3937 

American Optometric Association–get="_blank" href="h Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance 973-326-7800

Information and Referral Center

2-1-1 or 1-800-435-7555
www.211firstcall.org

Benefits Check Up
www.benefitscheckup.com

General Government Benefits
www.govbenefits.gov

Children’s Services

SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program)
1-877-543-7669 www.cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp

Catastrophic illness in children relief fund program
(N.J. Department of Human Services)
609-292-0600 or 1-800-335FUND www.state.nj.us/humanservices

Zufall Health Center
973-328-3344

Food Bank

Interfaith Food Pantry
973-538-2625

Hospital Care for Uninsured Patients

N.J. Hospital Care payment assistance program (Charity Care Assistance)
N.J. Department of Health and Human Services
1-866-588-5696 www.state.nj.us/health/cc/documents/ccfactsh.pdf

Mental Health

Non-crisis situations:
Mental Health Association of Morris County  973-334-3496

Crisis situations:
Morristown Memorial Hospital - Psychiatric Emergency Service
973-540-0100

Saint Clare’s Hospital, Denville - Psychiatric Emergency Service
973-625-0280

Screenings/Vaccinations

Adult Health Clinic/Women/Men’s Health Clinic/Blood Pressure Screenings/Vaccinations – call Health Department at 973-515-6667

Prescription Drugs

Prescription Savings Program
1-800-633-0037 or www.gspops.com

Veterans Services
973-285-6866
You must fill out application form 10-10EZ and provide a copy of your discharge document, must be approved by a VA physician
www.va.gov/healtheligibility/application

Express Scripts; Outreach RX
1-800-769-3880 or www.rxoutreach.com

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
1-800-762-4636

PAAD – Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled
1-800-792-9745 or www.nj.gov/health/seniorbenefits/paad.shtml

Discount Prescriptions
800-291-1206  

Nutrition Information

Extensive Services - (Rutgers Cooperative extension of Morris County)
973-285-8302

Child-Care Subsidy Hotline - 800-424-2246

Mortgage Payment Assistance - 800-750-8956

For families falling behind on mortgage payments, this national agency will work with your client's mortgage company to arrange a workout plan to catch up missed payments. Housing counselors will discuss all options available to avoid foreclosure. Agency does not make loans or buy property.

Debt Relief Hotline - 800-291-1042

For families struggling with credit card debt, (typically over $10,000).

Economic Recovery

www.EconomicRecovery.gov is a resource for the American people to find help to keep their homes, find jobs and protect their savings.

For more information contact the Township of Hanover                         Health Department at 973-515-6667

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