Allegheny County Health Department

On this day, we honor the lives lost to an overdose and extend our deepest compassion to their families.

If you or someone you know needs resources, please visit: https://harmreductionallegheny.org

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone in Allegheny County and surrounding counties for Friday, August 30, 2024.

The forecast is expected to move air quality into the ORANGE range – meaning there will be unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive groups of people.

On Air Quality Action Days, young children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities:
• Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Limit daytime driving. Combine trips when possible.
• Don’t refuel. If you must, do so after 7 p.m.
• Save energy. Keep window shades/blinds closed during the day to cut down on air conditioning.
• Open burning and outdoor fires are not allowed in Allegheny County on Air Quality Action Days.

For the latest readings from air quality monitors, view the ACHD's Air Quality Dashboard at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Air-Quality

As National Breastfeeding Month comes to a close, we want to recognize those who have breastfed, are currently breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed in the future! WIC celebrates you, and we are here to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. For more information on enrolling in the ACHD WIC Program, visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Children-and-Families/Women-Infants-and-Children-WIC/Enrollment

Getting kids off to school in the morning can be hard, but safety should always be a priority. Whether your kids ride the bus, walk, or get dropped off, these tips will help everyone arrive safely.

Visit our webpage for resources and tips to keep kids safe this school year: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Special-Initiatives/Traffic-Safety/School-Transportation-Tips

Take charge of your health and your future. Prevent HPV. Children ages 9 to 14 should get a two-dose series of the HPV vaccination to prevent different types of cancers. Call the ACHD Immunization Clinic today at 412-578-8062 for more information and to make an appointment! Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/hcp/recommendations.html
Learn more about the ACHD Immunization Clinic: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Immunization-Clinic

Happy National Breastfeeding Month! Did you know breastfeeding rates have been steadily increasing since 2010? The ACHD WIC Program is anxious to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. For more information on enrolling in the ACHD WIC program, visit https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Children-and-Families/Women-Infants-and-Children-WIC/Enrollment

Making sure your child is all caught up on vaccines protects them from missing out on school and from being sick! Vaccines help prevent diseases and strengthens your immune system. Call the ACHD Immunization clinic at 412-578-8062 for more information and to make an appointment today! Visit the Immunization Clinic Page: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Immunization-Clinic

Updates to Article VI, Allegheny County’s local housing and public health regulation will go into effect on October 1, 2024. These updates aim to improve health conditions within housing and make the regulations easier to understand. Landlords, tenants, and property managers can schedule a training on these updates by calling 412-350-3654. Visit our website to review the full set of changes, to file a complaint, and to learn more about the Housing and Community Environment program: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Housing-and-Community-Environment

Keep kids healthy and safe when packing a food-safe lunch.

- Before eating wash hands for 20 seconds with soap, rinse with warm running water and dry with a clean towel

- Rinse all fruits/vegetables before preparing or eating

- Keep perishable foods like deli meats at 41°F or lower. Pre-chill food and pack in an insulated lunchbox with a cold source, like an icepack

- Do not reuse single-use packaging like resealable plastic bags as they can contaminate food

For more tips and resources visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Food-Safety/Guidelines-and-Resources/Safe-Food-Handling-Information

Happy World Breastfeeding Month! At WIC, breastfeeding support is one of our top priorities. We recognize this by offering many benefits to our participants! Interested in enrolling in the ACHD WIC program? Visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Children-and-Families/Women-Infants-and-Children-WIC/Enrollment

Routine childhood vaccinations protect against serious diseases, such as measles and whooping cough.

It is required for children to be up to date on their vaccinations before returning to school. Make an appointment today, with your child’s doctor, at any Federally Qualified Health Center, or at the ACHD’s Immunization Clinic at 425 First Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Learn more: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Immunizations/School-Immunization-Information

Mosquitos that carry the West Nile Virus have been identified in Allegheny County.

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent West Nile Virus. Protecting yourself from a mosquito bite is the best way to prevent infection.

For more information on preventing West Nile Virus checkout, https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/prevention/index.html

It’s national immunization month! Call the ACHD Immunization clinic at 412-578-8062 to make an appointment today! Click the link for more information about recommended vaccinations: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-age.html . Learn more about the ACHD Immunization clinic: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Immunization-Clinic

August is National Breastfeeding Month! The first week of the month, August 1-7th, is National WIC Breastfeeding week. For 50 years, WIC has worked to promote, support, and normalize breastfeeding, as the gold standard for infant nutrition. For more information about how to enroll in the ACHD WIC program, visit https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Children-and-Families/Women-Infants-and-Children-WIC/Enrollment

Raccoon rabies vaccination hand baiting starts today. Health Department staff and volunteers will distribute more than 300,000 baits in all 130 Allegheny County municipalities. Bait will be spread by hand Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9. Aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes, will distribute bait until August 30th. Residents might see low-flying, slow-moving aircraft pass over the same area multiple times.
For more information, visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/News-Articles/Allegheny-County-Press-Releases/July-2024-Press-Releases/7312024-Annual-Raccoon-Rabies-Vaccination-Initiative-Begins-August-1st

Ticks spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can lead to disease in humans.

Pennsylvania has led the nation in reported cases of Lyme Disease, a tickborne disease.

To prevent transmission of Lyme disease, do a tick check! Learn more by visiting: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Community-Indicators-and-Health-Data/Infectious-Disease-Epidemiology/Disease-Surveillance/Tickborne-Diseases

The Health Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services will begin our annual raccoon rabies vaccination baiting initiative today, Thursday, August 1, 2024. Over the course of the five-week project, crews will distribute more than 300,000 baits in all 130 Allegheny County municipalities. Bait will be spread by hand from Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9. As part of the program, residents might see low-flying, slow-moving aircraft pass over the same area multiple times.
For more information, visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/News-Articles/Allegheny-County-Press-Releases/July-2024-Press-Releases/7312024-Annual-Raccoon-Rabies-Vaccination-Initiative-Begins-August-1st

Boar's Head Provisions Co. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst And Other Deli Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination. The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. The other ready-to-eat deli meat products were produced on June 27, 2024.
You can view the full USDA release here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co--recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products

Did you know people with hepatitis C often have no symptoms?

Testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but curative treatments are available. Most people with hepatitis C can be cured with just 8–12 weeks of well-tolerated oral-only treatment.

Check out https://www.hepcfreeallegheny.org/ for testing locations in Allegheny County.

The Air Quality program has opened $5 million for Clean Air Fund projects. There are four projects open for application: Fleet Electrification, Urban Tree Canopy Expansion, Equipment Electrification, and Climate Resiliency.

There will be two in-person information sessions for potential applicants to ask questions about the application process on August 5 & 7, 2024. Applications are open now through September 27, 2024.
More information is on the Clean Air Fund webpage: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Air-Quality/Clean-Air-Fund?transfer=07c67c8b-3694-41a9-ae4e-e67e6e88a468

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone in Allegheny County and surrounding counties for Monday, July 29, 2024. The forecast is expected to move air quality into the ORANGE range – meaning there will be unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive groups of people.

On Air Quality Action Days, young children, the elderly, pregnant people and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities:
• Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Limit daytime driving. Combine trips when possible.
• Don’t refuel. If you must, do so after 7 p.m.
• Save energy. Keep window shades/blinds closed during the day to cut down on air conditioning.
• Open burning and outdoor fires are not allowed in Allegheny County on Air Quality Action Days.

For the latest readings from air quality monitors, view the ACHD's Air Quality Dashboard at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Air-Quality

Hepatitis vaccines are important for preventing liver diseases and other serious diseases. Call the ACHD Immunization Clinic at 412-578-8062 to see if you are up to date on your hepatitis vaccinations today! Learn more about the immunization clinic: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Immunization-Clinic
Learn more about hepatitis: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Community-Indicators-and-Health-Data/Infectious-Disease-Epidemiology/Disease-Surveillance

From e-waste and batteries to left-over construction materials and medicines there are a lot of things in our homes that shouldn't be thrown out but can't be recycled on the curb.

To find places to properly dispose of these items and more there is the Allegheny County Recycling Drop-Off Finder.

This interactive map shows residents where they can take hard to recycle items across the county. Learn more: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3ac1815c76af4bfda0a57e9f1d1eaf87/page/Page/

It is the start of Hepatitis Awareness Week! Protect your liver and stay up to date on your hepatitis vaccines. Call the ACHD Immunization Clinic at 412-578-8062 for more information and to make your appointment today! Learn more about the clinic: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Immunization-Clinic

Farmer Market Friday

Fun Fact: According to the USDA, an average of 1.7 million people receive Farmers’ Market benefits each year.
Be sure to ask for your Farmers’ Market Checks at your next WIC appointment.

To apply for WIC in PA visit: https://www.pawic.com

Celebrating 50 years in Allegheny County

1974 was a big year for Allegheny County. The first WIC check was issued in Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted their most successful draft class, including Lynn Swan, who then went on to win Superbowl IX in January 1975!

To apply for WIC in PA visit: https://www.pawic.com

Have a WIC Story?

You can be included in our 50 days of WIC for this milestone year.

Share your story with the link below: https://tinyurl.com/WIC50ACHD

To apply for WIC in PA visit: https://www.pawic.com

The Health Department is beginning a strategic planning process. Input from stakeholders is an integral part of planning efforts and will help ensure the continued success of the Health Department as the needs of the community evolve. The survey should take approximately ten minutes to complete and will remain accessible through July 29th.

Please take the survey here: https://survey.sogolytics.com/r/jL0sZ3