Preventing respiratory illnesses
Respiratory season is upon us – a time when illnesses like influenza, RSV and COVID-19 spread throughout the community. We can all take simple steps to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our community healthy.
Getting vaccinated provides the best protection against illness and severe infections, including hospitalization and death. An annual influenza vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. A vaccine that protects against RSV is also available for older adults and pregnant people, and infants can receive monoclonal antibodies for protection against RSV. Talk to your health care provider to learn more about these options.
We can also stop the spread of germs by washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching our eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, covering coughs or sneezes, staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people. While viruses are circulating, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor places, especially if you or someone you live with is at higher risk for serious illness.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – such as eating well, being physically active, and getting enough sleep – can also help to strengthen immunity.
Visit the respiratory illnesses data webpage for the latest information about COVID-19, influenza and RSV activity in Clark County.
Tips for disposing of holiday waste
Celebrate this holiday season by properly disposing of items that cannot go in curbside garbage or recycling carts.
The holiday season often means more garbage and more types of waste. Community members can use the RecycleRight app and RecyclingA-Z.com to find local disposal options for hundreds of items.
Check out the Public Health news release for tips on proper disposal of items like batteries, block foam, gift wrap and ribbon, string lights and more.
Get vaccinated to protect against whooping cough
Whooping cough is spreading in Clark County, with more than 400 cases reported through October. Most of the cases are children who have never been vaccinated.
Children who get whooping cough can spread the illness to younger siblings, including babies who are at risk for getting very sick. They also cannot go back to school until they are no longer contagious, which could be a week or more.
The best way to keep children and other people around them healthy is to ensure everyone is up to date on whooping cough vaccines. Check out the Public Health news release for more information.
Properly dispose of leaves locally
As the leaves change colors and start to fall, help keep them out of the streets and landfills by disposing of leaves locally to create compost!
Properly dispose of leaves by placing them in curbside yard debris or organics cart or adding them to backyard compost. Fallen leaves can also be left on lawns, where they will create a natural mulch to suppress weeds.
Clark County residents can also dispose of leaves for free with a Fall Leaf Coupon! Drop off up to 5 cubic yards of leaves at one of four designated sites at no charge from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
Public Health news
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