HPD Officer Miller wins Impaired Driving Enforcement Award
Henderson Police Officer Austin Miller has been recognized by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Kentucky Office of Highway Safety for his efforts to reduce alcohol and drug impaired driving.
Miller received the 2024 Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award during a ceremony in Lexington last week, said an HPD release.
Miller’s proactive approach to safety resulted in the arrest of 25 impaired drivers between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, said the release.
Increase in whooping cough cases spurs Deaconess to recommend checking vaccinations
Deaconess Health System is reporting an increase in pertussis cases, commonly known as whooping cough, in the Tri-State area over the past 12 months, according to a release from the hospital system.
“In a typical year, we expect to see one or two cases of pertussis, but in the last 12 months, we have documented nine cases, with the majority requiring hospitalization,” said Dr. Julie Wohrley, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Deaconess. “This sharp rise emphasizes the critical need for prevention through vaccination.”
According to Deaconess, Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause severe coughing fits, difficulty breathing, and, in some cases, life-threatening complications, especially in infants and young children. While preventable through vaccination, pertussis can still affect vaccinated individuals due to waning immunity over time.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, Dr. Wohrley and Deaconess recommend the following actions:
- Check Vaccination Records: Ensure you and your children are up to date on pertussis vaccinations. The DTaP vaccine is required for children starting at two months of age, with five doses completed by age six and a Tdap booster at 11-12 years. Adults without a Tdap booster should get one.
- Practice Hygiene: Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets. Cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands frequently, and avoid close contact with sick individuals.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you suspect pertussis, contact your healthcare provider before arriving for your appointment to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
- Protect Pregnant Women and Infants: Pregnant women should receive a Tdap booster during the second or third trimester to protect both mother and baby. Infants are especially vulnerable, as they are too young to receive all vaccine doses.
- Cocooning for Infants: Ensure everyone in a baby’s life—including parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers and friends—is vaccinated. This creates a protective “cocoon” around the baby, reducing their risk of infection.
All Deaconess primary care providers can administer these vaccinations. If you don’t have a primary care provider, visit deaconess.com/findadoctor to find one, said the release. Many providers have appointments as early as the next day.
If you have Medicare, you will need to receive the vaccine at a retail pharmacy. Please check your coverage to determine which one and call ahead to see if an appointment is needed. Those without insurance can receive the vaccine at their local health department.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in dead snow geese found at Sloughs Wildlife Management Area
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has announced the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in samples taken from snow geese at Sloughs Wildlife Management Area in Henderson County.
The University of Georgia’s Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Virology Laboratory confirmed the presence of HPAI after snow geese were found deceased on Dec. 4, said a release from the department.
“Given the movement of migrating waterfowl and the seasonal patterns of wild birds, we anticipated seeing cases of HPAI,” said Dr. Christine Casey, wildlife veterinarian for the department of fish and wildlife, in the release.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is most found in waterfowl, like geese, ducks and shorebirds, but does not typically affect common songbirds like sparrows or cardinals.
“Songbirds are less susceptible to infection, and the virus is not commonly found in their populations,” Casey said.
While various low-pathogenic avian influenza strains circulate in wild birds, HPAI poses a greater risk due to its higher potential for transmission, according to the release. The virus has been detected in wild mammals and has caused outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry flocks, as well as in dairy cattle across the U.S. Infected birds spread the virus through saliva, mucus and feces. Symptoms in birds include respiratory issues, lethargy, incoordination and head tremors.
“States along the Mississippi Flyway are reporting a significant number of HPAI detections in migratory waterfowl,” said John Brunjes, migratory bird program coordinator for KDFW. “With waterfowl season underway, waterfowl hunters should take precautions to protect themselves and their hunting dogs.”
To minimize the risk of HPAI transmission, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife advises hunters to follow routine precautions when handling wild game:
- Do not harvest, handle or consume wild birds that are obviously sick or otherwise found dead
- Dress harvested waterfowl outside or in a well-ventilated area
- Wear gloves and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling wild birds and disposing of carcasses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Disinfect any equipment (knives and surfaces) that touch birds. Use dedicated tools for cleaning game and avoid using them around poultry or pet birds
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling or cleaning game
- Double bag the feathers and other remains. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Place the bag in the trash and close the lid on the receptacle. Discard in a trash can with a secure lid to prevent scavengers from getting the carcass
- All game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- Do not feed dogs raw or undercooked meat from harvested game
- Do not allow dogs to scavenge on carcasses or remains of wild birds.
Poultry, pet bird and backyard flock owners are strongly urged to practice good biosecurity by minimizing contact between domestic flocks and wild birds. This includes changing outdoor clothes and shoes before interacting with domestic birds. Any signs of illness or increased mortality in flocks should be reported to a local veterinarian. Additionally, owners can make reports by contacting the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at 502-573-0282 or the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
Although there have been confirmed human infections with HPAI, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the risk to human health remains low. Additionally, properly handled and cooked meat or eggs from wild or domestic birds do not pose a food safety risk.
Hunters and wildlife watchers are encouraged to report observations of sick or dead waterfowl, raptors or groups of dead birds (five or more) through the agency’s sick or dead bird reporting portal or by calling the agency’s Information Center at 1-800-858-1549, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET), excluding holidays.
More information about HPAI and wild birds is available on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website at fw.ky.gov under Avian Influenza.
