TICK-RELATED DISEASES ON THE RISE:
GREENWOOD, Ind.–You might remember hearing about a Hoosier who caught Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and died last year. This year, more people in Indiana are getting tick-related diseases, and some of them can make you pretty sick.
More than 100 cases of tick-borne disease have been reported so far in 2018, including one death from ehrlichiosis (er-lick-ee-osis) in an elderly patient, said a news release from the Indiana State Dept. of Health.. Deaths from ehrlichiosis are rare in Indiana, with only four deaths reported in the last five years.
“Cases of tick-borne disease tend to peak in July,” said Jennifer Brown, D.V.M., M.P.H., state public health veterinarian at the Indiana State Department of Health. “You should take precautions to prevent tick bites whenever you spend time outdoors. Call your health care provider right away if you develop a flu-like illness or a rash during the summer months.”
Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can include a rash near the bite site and feeling like you have the flu, with headache, muscle or joint pain and fever.
Hoosiers can reduce their risk of tick bites by:
- Wearing a long-sleeved shirt and light-colored pants, with the shirt tucked in at the waist and the pants tucked into socks, if they will be in grassy or wooded areas.
- Treating clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin, an insect repellent commonly used for this purpose. Note that permethrin should NOT be used on bare skin.
- Using EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone.
School Metal detectors:
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — More than 3,200 hand-held metal detectors have been requested by schools across Indiana through a state program aimed at improving student safety.
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the program in early July, which provides the devices to school officials free of charge.
The first batch of metal detectors should arrive sometime in August. Other schools that did not place an order will have another chance to do so this fall.
Holcomb’s program allows schools to receive one metal detector for every 250 students.
State officials have also hope to boost safety through a grant program that helps schools afford security improvements.
The metal detector program was announced after a Noblesville middle school student opened fire in a classroom in May, wounding his teacher and another student.
INDIANAPOLIS — Pepperidge Farm is recalling four varieties of Goldfish crackers that may be contaminated with salmonella.
The company issued a voluntary recall Monday after they were notified that the supplier of the whey powder used in their products warned them of the possible presence of salmonella.
The varieties of crackers being recalled are:
- Flavor Blasted® Xtra Cheddar
- Flavor Blasted® Sour Cream & Onion
- Goldfish® Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar
- Goldfish® Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel
Different packaging options are included in the recall. Click here for a chart with all codes and information.
The company says no illnesses have been reported and no other Pepperidge Farm products are being recalled at this time.
Ritz crackers announced a recall over the weekend which was also because of salmonella concerns with whey powder used in their products.
Pepperidge Farm says consumers who have purchased the affected products should not eat them. The products can be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
You may also click here for reimbursement if you have the product, sell by date and package code listed in the chart provided.
Eli Lilly is planning an initial public offering for part of an animal health business that brought in about 13 percent of all company revenue last year.
The drug-maker said Tuesday that the IPO will represent an ownership stake of less than 20 percent. Lilly said it will divest its remaining stake in Elanco Animal Health through a tax-efficient deal, but offered no other details.
Eli Lilly and Co., based in Indianapolis, once saw animal health as a pivotal asset in equalizing the loss of patents on some top products. Last fall, however, it said it was exploring other options for the business.
Elanco brought in $3.08 billion in revenue last year. It makes antibiotics and feed additives for livestock and flea and heart-worm treatments for pets.
