Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 12, 2022

MDHHS CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin. 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDARD CONTACT: Chelsea Lewis-Parisio, 517-331-1151, [email protected]

Fairgoers reminded of precautions to take
at events featuring swine exhibits
Influenza A H1N2 variant identified in Michigan resident with exposure to swine

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced a human case of Influenza A (H1N2)v in the state.  MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are urging fairgoers to take precautions to prevent infection at upcoming fairs where swine may be exhibited.

The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sept. 9, in a Berrien County fairgoer who had contact with swine at the Berrien County Youth Fair. The fair was held Aug. 15-20. Fair officials are working collaboratively with MDHHS and the Berrien County Health Department.

Fair season in Michigan extends into October. The following are steps Michiganders can take to protect themselves and prevent the spread of any illness:

• Anyone who is at high risk of serious flu complications and is planning to attend a fair should avoid pigs and swine barns.
• Refrain from eating or drinking in livestock barns or show rings.
• Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers or similar items into pig areas.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu-like symptoms. This includes being in a swine barn if you are ill as influenza can be spread via respiratory droplets.
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school until your illness is over.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly circulate among swine. Swine influenza viruses do not usually infect humans, but human infections have been reported. People cannot get swine influenza from eating properly prepared pork or handling pork products – only from contact with an ill pig.

Symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the seasonal flu and can include fever, cough, runny nose, and sometimes body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. On rare occasions, swine influenza in humans can lead to severe diseases, such as pneumonia or death. Physicians are reminded to consider swine influenza in persons presenting with these symptoms, even during the warmer months when seasonal influenza cases are low.

Those at higher risk of developing complications if they get swine influenza include children younger than 5 years of age, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological conditions.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the Berrien County Health Department urges you to monitor their progress, talk with your primary care physician and inquire about a test to confirm the diagnosis. If you have concerns, please contact the local health department at 269-926-7121.

Currently, there is no vaccine for swine influenza, and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against it. However, antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective in treating swine influenza. Early treatment works best and may be especially important for people with a high-risk condition.

This is the first case of Influenza A (H1N2)v confirmed in Michigan this year. Five cases of human infection with influenza viruses that usually spread only in pigs were reported to CDC in August 2022. These cases include three infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant (A(H3N2)v) virus and two infections with influenza A(H1N2)v virus. These cases were identified in West Virginia (3), Oregon (1) and Ohio (1). Four of the five cases reported exposure to pigs or attendance at an agricultural fair prior to illness, and one reported no contact with pigs or attendance at an agricultural fair prior to illness. No hospitalizations or deaths have occurred among these five cases, and all patients are recovering or have recovered from their illnesses.

To date, no person-to-person spread associated with the five recent variant influenza virus infections has been identified.

For more information on minimizing the transmission of illness at livestock exhibitions, visit the USDA website. For more information on swine influenza, visit the CDC website.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 26, 2022 

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

Children who have been abused or neglected will get support they deserve with funding of advocacy centers 

MDHHS notified that anticipated federal reductions will not occur

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has received good news from the federal government about funding administered under the Victims of Crime Act – the same act that provides funding for Michigan’s Children’s Advocacy Centers that support children affected by physical and sexual abuse.

An anticipated reduction in federal funds will not materialize and MDHHS has made the decision to ensure that all Children’s Advocacy Centers currently funded with federal Victims of Crime Act dollars will be funded at the same or greater levels next fiscal year.

Total funding for next fiscal year will be approximately $12 million.

“This funding is going to maintain or enhance the level of services that we provide to 10,000 children across Michigan,” said Julie Bird, director of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan. “I want to thank the state and everyone who has worked on our behalf for their support — we look forward to building an even stronger partnership with the state as we work together to support children affected by physical and sexual abuse.”

Children’s Advocacy Centers offer a variety of services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect – including providing a comforting setting for children to be interviewed about abuse by people who understand trauma.

“Supporting our children who have been the victims of physical abuse or neglect is one of the most important things we do at MDHHS,” said Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Children’s Advocacy Centers play an invaluable role in helping kids who are dealing with profound trauma.”

Based on previous communication with federal partners, MDHHS’s Division of Victim Services was anticipating a significant decrease in federal funding. To provide partners at local Children’s Advocacy Centers with information as soon as possible, the department notified them of anticipated reductions in their funding for next fiscal year. When the department received official notification from the federal government Thursday, however, MDHHS learned that the anticipated reductions would not be realized.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2022

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

“Create Your Calm” campaign seeks to defuse emotions,
enhance learning in K-12 classrooms
Slogan is used on child-friendly items made available by the Stay Well program

LANSING, Mich. — As students and teachers across the state head back into K-12 classrooms this month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Stay Well program is offering educational tools and resources to help create and maintain a calm learning environment.

Among the free tools available are child-friendly “Create Your Calm” posters, stickers and magnets. These items demonstrate simple breathing and emotional grounding exercises that anyone can do when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, tense or distracted. The items may be ordered by completing this form, which is available on the “Resources for Schools” page of the Stay Well website.

The grant-funded Stay Well program launched in early 2020 to help Michiganders cope with emotional distress caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The program is sharply focused on serving youth and their caregivers, including parents, teachers and school counselors.

“Numerous studies show the mental health of our young people declined during the pandemic,” said Jody Lewis, Stay Well program director. “That has made teaching all the more challenging, leading to burnout and emotional stress among educators. Create Your Calm is intended as a reminder to kids and adults alike that we can concentrate and learn better when our minds and bodies are relaxed. We hope schools – and youth-oriented organizations of all types – will take advantage of these free resources.”

Also available on the Resources for Schools page are recorded webinars with strategies for addressing behavioral and mental health issues among students:

• Helping Students Thrive: Tools for promoting social-emotional development.
  • Part 1 – Self-compassion
  • Part 2 – Relaxation and mindfulness
  • Part 3 – Control: noticing and managing thoughts
• Psychological First Aid: Supporting students during a pandemic.
• Be Kind to your Mind: Friends helping friends. This webinar is for teens who want to know how to help their struggling friends (i.e., what a panic attack looks like, the best ways to offer support, warning signs of suicide) and also how to improve their own mental wellness.

To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS releases “Tobacco-Free Report Card” for Michigan colleges and universities

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Tobacco Section released the “Tobacco-Free Report Card: Michigan Colleges and Universities,” which reports on the current state of tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies in Michigan.

“MDHHS applauds the schools with 100% tobacco-free campuses and encourages all campuses to go 100% tobacco-free,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disability in Michigan, and at least 99% of cigarette smokers start before the age of 26. In Michigan, adult e-cigarette use is highest among young adults. Tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses are an effective strategy to prevent young adults from using tobacco and help current users quit.”

Currently, one in three campuses have a 100% tobacco-free campus policy. The report also includes a list of Michigan colleges and universities, and the grade or score they received as a result of their current tobacco policy with the detailed scoring methodology explained. The report card includes information on tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco-free smoke policies and information on how to receive technical assistance to improve your smoke-free policies.

“We are encouraging Michigan colleges and universities to use this report card as a tool to improve the health of their students, faculty, and staff. These policies aim to change social norms, prevent initiation, decrease secondhand smoke and aerosol, and encourage quitting,” says Amanda Gallaher, author of the Tobacco-Free Report Card.

The MDHHS Tobacco Section offers training and technical assistance to support tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies. To request a training or other technical assistance, contact the MDHHS Tobacco Section at 517-335-8376 and visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco to learn more about tobacco prevention and cessation resources in Michigan.

There are grant opportunities available to colleges that are not currently 100% tobacco-free to support the adoption and implementation of tobacco-free policies.

For residents in need of assistance in quitting tobacco, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline – 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about the Quitline, visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2022

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

First 2022 detection of West Nile Virus in Oakland County resident

Michiganders urged to take proper precautions to prevent mosquito bites

LANSING, Mich. — West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a blood donation from a resident of Oakland County. The donor has experienced no symptoms of illness. Michigan residents are reminded that the best way to protect against WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses such Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) is to prevent mosquito bites.

Routine screening for WNV in blood donations helps ensure the safety of the blood supply in Michigan and in the U.S. Donations that test positive for WNV do not enter the blood supply. In 2021, WNV was detected in seven Michigan blood donors.

“We want to remind residents of Michigan that mosquito season is not over and it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Take precautions such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active.”

To date, WNV has been found in mosquitoes collected in Iosco, Arenac, Huron, Genesee and Kent counties, as well as birds collected in Bay and Shiawassee counties.  No other human cases have been reported to date. Mosquito pools from Bay, Midland and Saginaw have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season – peaking in August and September.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people who contract the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of arbovirus infection, like WNV, typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and a severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:

• Using EPA registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone; follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed.
• Don’t use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
• Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
• Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/WestNileVirus or CDC.gov/WestNile.