Wednesday, September 13th, 2006

New vaccinations for cancer, diphtheria, other illnesses soon available

By Shelley Grieshop
WAPAKONETA - Several new vaccines soon will be available at the Auglaize County Health Department to protect the public from various illnesses.
One of the vaccines is Gardasil, a drug recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which can prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can lead to cervical cancer.
HPV, a group of viruses that infect the skin, can cause warts on the hands, feet and genitals, and create an abnormal cell change in the cervix. About 20 million people are infected with HPV, although most have no visible symptoms and are unaware they have it.
Because HPV is so common and new studies have linked various forms of it to cervical cancer, health officials have been frequently broadcasting television commercials to urge the public - mainly women - to get immunized against the virus.
Also available later this fall at the health department is the Hepatitis A immunization for children 12 months old and up. Auglaize County Nursing Director Cindy Jones said the shot is especially advised for school-age children and those frequently in daycare settings.
A new tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis immunization (Tdap) is available now at the county health department for people ages 11 to 64. Infants typically receive the combination shot in a different dose when they are about 2 months old. However, Jones said a case of pertussis was reported to the health department not long ago involving a baby who had contracted it shortly after birth.
"We recommend it for mom's after delivery," she said.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory infection that can cause permanent disability in infants, and even death. Senior citizens, who may have waning immunity, can pass the disease on to young children without knowing it," Jones explained.
Approximately 11 percent of reported cases of tetanus and 10 percent of reported diphtheria cases are fatal in the United States. Nearly all of the cases occur in people who were never vaccinated or who received a series of shots but not a booster in the past 10 years, as recommended.
Other new vaccines include pneumococcal conjugal and streptococcus pneumoniae, which can prevent illnesses such as pneumonia, the flu, strep throat and ear infections. A new herpes zoster vaccine can be given to ward of shingles.
Jones said the health department still has several doses of an immunization to prevent meningitis, an illness that particularly plagues college students living in dorm settings.
"And we're getting more doses of the meningococcal vaccine in a few weeks," she added.
In other business, board members meeting Tuesday:
• Issued a seven-day order to Tom Heitkamp, Celina, to repair a sewage system problem at an apartment complex he owns along state Route 364 in Egypt.
• Approved a contract for $500 per month with Barb Stahler for cleaning services, effective Tuesday of this week.
• Accepted the resignation of Michael Wurst, the agency's emergency response coordinator, effective Aug. 31. The position is currently not being filled due to budget restrictions.
• Approved a revision of the Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator position description. Health Commissioner Charlotte Parsons said the position, created in 2000, formerly required someone with a registered nursing degree but now demands only a health field background in order to broaden applicants.
• Approved the hiring of Stephanie Balsom as community health surveillance coordinator, effective Sept. 26, at $21.28 per hour.
• Took no action following an executive session to discuss the possibility of hiring a replacement for the emergency response coordinator position.
Additional online stories on this date
Celina city officials are moving forward with plans to go through a legal process to dispel lingering legal questions about a proposed lakefront walkway. [More]
ST. HENRY - As most local volleyball fans know the perennial power the St. Henry Redskins have stumbled out of the gates to start the 2006 season losing five of the first nine, albeit four of the five losses have come against Division I teams. [More]
ANNA - With both teams undefeated and ranked number one in their respective divisions, the Marion Local-Anna volleyball match on Tuesday had the makings of an all-out barnburner. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
It's a mournful tune, Taps. Played over a deceased loved one, it rarely fails to bring a tear.  
It's significance is well rooted in history as are almost all modern funeral customs: mourners in black, placing a sheet over the deceased's body, funeral dinners, offering floral arrangements.
The Ohio EPA has approved a no-interest loan that will largely pay for the design of a rural sewer extension west of Celina.
Mercer County Commissi
WAPAKONETA - Funeral home directors will have to use a specialized computer program to complete death certificates beginning in January, a new mandate from the Ohio Department of Health says.
NEW BREMEN - The Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) issued six citations to the Auglaize County adult group home during a recent licensure review.
NEW BREMEN - New Bremen village councilors Tuesday night authorized Miami and Erie Canal dredging further than originally proposed.
Village administrator Wayne York reported Saintignon Excavating is nearing completion of contracted work between Lock One southward to Plum Street.
NEW BREMEN - If at first you don't succeed, try again could very well be the motto for New Bremen village councilors as they pursue another source of funding for the proposed Centennial Park project.
COLDWATER - Kinder-garten Coordinator Susan Georg told board members meeting Tuesday night that the new all-day, everyday kindergarten class is going really well.
COLDWATER - Coldwater Exempted Village Schools will pay for refinishing the floors in the Palace, the main gymnasium at the high school.
School board members meeting Tuesday unanimously approved paying Majestic Floors, Celina, $18,950 for refinishing the floors. The work was done last month.
Mercer County Commission-ers were asked Tuesday to urge their counterparts in some regional counties to join the World's Longest Yard Sale.
Auglaiz
Local couple's BioKleen products can be used to wash boats right in the water
Spray on, wipe off and watch it trickle harmlessly from the boat into the lake.
It's that easy, Richard and Angela Leis say about their new, biodegradable boat cleaning agent that packs a powerful, non-caustic punch - leaving both surfaces and the environment undefiled.
Compiled by Ryan Hines
and Gary R. Rasberry
St. Henry earned its spot to battle for the final unbeaten spot in Midwest Athletic Conference girls golf after beating Coldwater in an unusual tri-match on Tuesday at Northmoor.
ST. MARYS - The Minster Wildcats were looking to jump start their season after a sluggish start, while the home-standing St. Marys Roughriders were hoping to build on their momentum gained from their first win of the season last night against Lima Senior.