July - August 2009
Hot, Humid Days and Water Issues Can Breed Unwanted Pests
Despite a lack of rain, local residents may still find themselves battling mosquitoes as unaddressed water issues and overwatering cause breeding grounds. Add to that hot summer days conducive for flea populations, and the result is two unwanted but mostly controllable pests.
Water leaks outside of people's homes and overwatering potted plants and lawns continue to provide areas for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Another source can be pooled condensation coming off of air conditioner drain lines as well as neglected pet bowls and bird baths.
Residents are advised to avoid overwatering and consistently clear their yards of containers that may collect water. Reducing the opportunity for mosquitoes to populate helps cut the risk of diseases such as West Nile Virus and dengue fever, which mosquitoes can carry.
Property owners and renters can take the following action steps to help control these vectors:
• Empty water from containers such as buckets, potted plant holders, pet bowls, and small wading pools.
• Clean and/or repair rain gutters. They will hold water if they are full of leaves or if the slope is incorrect.
• Use tight-fitting screens on rainwater collection containers.
• Remove all old tires from your premise and dispose of them properly.
• Change bird bath water every three (3) days.In addition to mosquitoes, residents also should address flea issues quickly. With the dry weather, there is no rain to wash away eggs and fleas can populate rapidly leading to infestations inside and outside the home.
Fleas that have fed on animals like rats and opossums may carry diseases and could transmit them to people during a bite. Although the tiny pests don’t normally live on the human body, they are likely to bite people that have infested pets. A recognizable flea bite is a small, red and itchy bump usually on the ankles and lower legs.
As is the case with mosquitoes, Metro Health does not treat private property for fleas but offers these tips to residents to avoid infestation.
• Treat your pet for fleas, using an appropriate retail product or see your veterinarian.
• Keep yards clean and free of rubbish.
• Keep pet bedding clean as well as flooring and furniture.
• Vacuum often and clean or remove bags after every use.
• Treat the yard with approved pesticides labeled for flea control. It may take several treatments to effectively remove the infestation.
• For heavy flea infestations, contract with a licensed pest control company.For more information or to report a mosquito or rodent problem on public property, call Vector Control at 207-8853.
In the Community
Metro Health team members joined other members of the City Volunteer Corp for the 2nd Annual Pet Spa Day at Animal Care Services this spring. The volunteers bathed dogs and prepared pets for adoption. They also planted trees, painted, and performed other 'home improvement' tasks for ACS' one-year old facility. Thanks team for your
time and concern for our
four-legged friends!
Featured Employee
Erica Haller Stevenson is a
Senior Management Analyst with the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio program and the braintrust behind our new newsletter name. Meet Erica...
Did you know...?
Metro Health produced its inaugural annual report for fiscal year
2007-2008. The publication highlights the department's programs, services and accomplishments.
Metro Health has an Advisory Board of Health which advises and makes recommendations on the health functions of the department to the Director of Health and the governing bodies of the City and County.
Current ABOH members include...
Metro Health routinely hosts medical students for public health clinical rotations. Meet the current visitors from the Netherlands.
In the News
New food handler rules take effect in January 2010.
Read more or watch the KENS 5 video
New weight gain guidelines for pregnant women. Read more...
Snapshot of Health
Congratulations to
Executive
Secretary Theresa (Tessie) Medina, a role model for a healthy pregnancy and weight gain. Tessie gave birth to her second child, Madeleine Nicole, on June 9.
20-inch long Madeleine weighed
8 lbs. and 4 oz.
Healthy Link
Join Metro Health for a two-day comprehensive conference.
The Changing Face of STIs, HIV & TB:
Issues from a Clinical, Behavioral and Partner Services viewpoint.
September 17-18
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 318 W. Durango
More info here...
The Health Collaborative, in
partnership with the San Antonio Zoo, will host a Fitness Safari on
Friday, July 17 from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All children visiting the zoo during the safari can participate in nine fitness activities that relate to fitness attributes of certain animals.
Children receive a token after completing each activity. Youngsters with five or more tokens can redeem them for a fitness-related toy.
Dedication on Display
Assistant Social Services Manager Yolanda Alvarado retired after three decades of service to the WIC program. She and several of Metro Health's team members are living proof that public health is
not just a job, it's a commitment.
Read more...
The Artwork
In 2007, the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio Program (Steps-SA), in collaboration with San Antonio ISD and the Southwest School of Art and Craft, presented "A Healthy Community Through the Eyes of a Child" in which children from local schools expressed their creative vision of health
concerns and issues affecting their community through the use of art.