DSHS 4/5N Community Health

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/SafeInfantSleep/

Safe Infant Sleep There are steps you - and everyone who cares for your baby - can take to ensure safe infant sleep. Following these steps for the first year of your baby’s life will help you and your baby sleep safe and sound.

First responders are ordinary people, just like us. But they also dedicate every day to protecting us and doing the extraordinary.

In the U.S. there is an estimated 4.6 million career and volunteer first responders that are committed to the safety of their communities.

This First Responders Day and every day we thank you!

For information about career opportunities in EMS and scholarships for education and training go to dshs.texas.gov/team-texas-ems.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on the issue.

Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults

Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Young People

Bullying Hurts. At least 1 out of 5 kids is reported to being bullied in the U.S. If you or your kid needs help, the Texas Youth Helpline is available 24/7 for free to talk or chat:

dfps.state.tx.us/youth-helpline
Call: 1-800-989-6884
Text: 512-872-5777
Chat: tinyurl.com/DFPSTXYH

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people in the U.S. die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Fentanyl can be unknowingly mixed with drugs like he**in, co***ne, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble prescription opioids.

Naloxone, also called Narcan, is an inhaler and a legal medication that can reverse opioid overdoses-and it’s available without prescription at many local pharmacies.

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose such as slow, weak or no breathing. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Administer naloxone (if available).
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
5. Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.

For more facts on fentanyl visit: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html

Safe Infant Sleep There are steps you - and everyone who cares for your baby - can take to ensure safe infant sleep. Following these steps for the first year of your baby’s life will help you and your baby sleep safe and sound.

Be Your Kid's Safety Net | Thorn for Parents Thorn for Parents is a collection of useful resources, thoughtful tips, and expert information designed to help parents talk to their kids about online safety.

Mental Health First Aid on November 1, 8 am-5 pm, at UT Health Science Center at Tyler - register by 10.21.22 at [email protected].

Fentanyl, an opioid 50 times stronger than he**in, may be mixed with other substances and counterfeit pills. Even in small doses, fentanyl can cause a life-threatening overdose.

Learn more about the dangers and how to protect your family today:

txopioidresponse.org cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl

Today begins !

We all have mental health. To those managing a mental health condition:

💛 You are not alone
💛 Help is available
💛 You are loved
💛 Be patient with yourself
💛 You can get through this

Today, September 28th, is World Rabies Day. Rabies is a disease of antiquity that is still a significant public health concern. Rabies is a vaccine preventable zoonotic disease. Making sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and avoid handling wildlife or unknown animals are key methods to prevent rabies exposures.

Quick facts:
• Globally, rabies kills more than 59,000 people every year
• In Texas, we host 5 high risk species: Bats, Skunks, Foxes,
Coyotes, and Raccoons
• Wildlife should be appreciated and observed from a distance!
• One child died from rabies in Texas in 2021 after knowingly
being bitten by a bat
• As of May 2022, the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis was changed
from a three-shot series to a two-shot series
• It is only “too late” to administer Post-Exposure once the
patient is symptomatic for rabies, so referral for PEP evaluation
is always indicated
• Average incubation period of rabies in humans is 4-6 weeks,
for most domestic animals, it is 3-8 weeks
• On average over the past 10 years in the state of Texas, nearly
800 animals test positive for rabies
• Exposure to rabies most commonly occurs through animal
bites, but saliva or exposure to brain/CSF in wounds or mucus
membranes is also possible
• All bites count, whether it is obvious that skin was broken or
not
• If someone in Texas is bitten by an animal, an Animal Control
Authority and the Local Rabies Authority should be contacted
and if the animal is available or captured, should not be
released until consulting with the ACO and/or LRCA

Resources:
• https://www.dshs.texas.gov/idcu/disease/rabies.aspx
• https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html
• https://www.who.int/health-topics/rabies =tab_1

Brent L. Moore, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVPM
Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian
Texas Department of State Health Services
Public Health Region 4/5 North

It’s ok to not be ok, and it’s ok to ask for help. It’s important to know where you can find resources and support if you or someone in your family is struggling with their mental health. Visit nami.org for resources and contact the 988lifeline.org if you need to talk.

Scholarships for EMS education and training available from DSHS. EMS careers, jobs, and volunteer opportunities are available across Texas. Go to dshs.texas.gov/Team-Texas-Ems for more information and to start a career in Texas EMS today.

“Every 10 seconds, a Texan needs help, if you want to help your neighbor, we are looking for you. And if you’re looking for an exciting career or volunteer opportunity, consider Emergency Medical Services.” - DSHS State EMS Director Joseph Schmider

: https://bit.ly/3xFMgB8

🏚 Before & After 🏠 Our Critical Repairs department serves seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities by completing repairs within their homes to make them more safe, healthy, and accessible. This particular homeowner received a ramp to make their home more accessible and much safer to enter/exit, replacing the staircase which was in disrepair.

Health advisory issued for colorful versions of fentanyl appearing in the illicit drug market targeting young people.

Law enforcement agencies have issued alerts after recent suspected overdoses and deaths involving fentanyl in children in Hays County, Texas.

Never use illicit or other drugs purchased on the street or of unknown origin.

Contact your healthcare provider or the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222 if you are experiencing any adverse health effects or have questions or concerns about exposure to fentanyl or opioid overdose.

: https://bit.ly/3RZE6vL

First responders and medical providers find more info here: https://bit.ly/3drZvi5

Make sure your teens know your expectations for them regarding alcohol consumption.

September 4th – 10th is .

If you are experiencing any of these feelings, get help. Reach out to a friend, family member, or healthcare provider. Help is always available.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of su***de, call the su***de and crisis lifeline at 988.

DSHS 4/5N Community Health updated their website address.

DSHS 4/5N Community Health updated their business hours.