Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2021

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

First case of hantavirus reported in Michigan

Michiganders reminded to take precautions around rodents

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Washtenaw County Health Department are investigating the first confirmed human case of Sin Nombre hantavirus detected in Michigan. An adult female in Washtenaw County was recently hospitalized with a serious pulmonary illness from Sin Nombre hantavirus. The individual was likely exposed when cleaning an unoccupied dwelling that contained signs of an active rodent infestation.

Hantavirus was first discovered to be responsible for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in ill patients in the southwest United States in 1993. HPS has since infected people throughout the U.S. and the Americas. Hantavirus infections are associated with domestic, occupational or recreational activities that bring humans into contact with infected rodents. Most cases have been identified in adults and tend to occur in the spring and summer.

“HPS is caused by some strains of hantavirus and is a rare but severe and sometimes fatal respiratory disease that can occur one to five weeks after a person has exposure to fresh urine, droppings or saliva from infected rodents,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “Anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry hantavirus is at risk for HPS and healthcare providers with a suspect case of hantavirus should contact their local health department to report the case and discuss options for confirmatory testing.”

Humans become infected when freshly dried materials contaminated by rodent excreta are disturbed and inhaled, get into breaks in the skin or on mucous membranes or when ingesting contaminated food or water. Bites from rodents can also transmit hantavirus. The highest risk of exposure takes place when entering or cleaning rodent-infested structures. There are not any documented person-to-person cases of hantavirus transmission in the U.S.

Symptoms of HPS can be non-specific at first and include fever, chills, body aches, headache and gastro-intestinal signs such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The illness can progress to include coughing and shortness of breath. HPS has a 40% fatality rate.

“We can prevent and reduce the risk of hantavirus infection by taking precautions and being alert to the possibility of it,” says Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. “Use rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves when cleaning areas with rodent infestations, ventilate areas for at least 30 minutes before working, and make sure to wet areas thoroughly with a disinfectant or chlorine solution before cleaning.”

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by wild rodents and occur worldwide. Several hantaviruses that can infect people have been identified in the U.S. and each hantavirus has a primary rodent host. The most important hantavirus in the U.S. that causes HPS is the Sin Nombre virus, which is spread by the deer mouse and white footed mouse.

The greatest risk for hantavirus infection is associated with opening or cleaning closed-up buildings with rodent infestations without proper protection. Healthcare providers with a suspect case of hantavirus should contact their local health department to report the case and discuss options for confirmatory testing.

Hantaviruses are viruses and are susceptible to most disinfectants (diluted chlorine solutions, detergents, general purpose household disinfectants including those based on phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds and hypochlorite). Depending on environmental conditions, these viruses probably survive less than one week in indoor environments and much shorter periods (hours) when exposed to sunlight outdoors. Special precautions should be taken when cleaning up after rodents. In cases of heavy rodent infestation, it is recommended to consult with a pest-control professional.

For more information about HPS, visit Cdc.gov/hantavirus.

• Facts About Hantavirus
• Cleaning Up After Rodents
• “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome—United States: Updated Recommendations for Risk Reduction”
• HPS Technical FAQ
• COVID-19 vs. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome | Hantavirus | DHCPP | CDC

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS issues RFP for elder abuse prevention programming

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging and Adult Services Agency has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Prevention Services.

Eligible applicants include government organizations, educational organizations and nonprofit organizations that provide prevention services to populations at risk of elder or vulnerable adult abuse.

MDHHS works to ensure all people at risk for elder or vulnerable adult abuse have access to prevention services, as well as to a range of resources. In an attempt to achieve these outcomes, applications must develop proposals that fall within one of six areas:

• Mediation: Develop programs or processes to allow older adults and their care team to create mutually acceptable solutions to disputes.
• Hoarding: Develop programs and/or processes that work with multi-disciplinary partners to address hoarding and develop long-term viable solutions.
• Safe Housing: Identify and develop systems or solutions to assist elder abuse survivors and/or those elders in potential abuse situations to transition to sustainable long-term housing.
• Forensic Accounting: Improve the prevention and prosecution of financial exploitation.
• Elder Death Review Team: Develop or expand elder death review teams to work with medical examiners to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation victims, and develop and implement actionable solutions.
• Investigative Team: Develop or expand investigative teams to work with law enforcement, prosecutor, and adult protective services to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation victims and develop and implement actionable solutions.

The funding priorities for this application period include proposals that develop new services or enhance existing ones; demonstrate the financial or other value to elder or vulnerable adults, family members and the community; and identify measurable objectives, metrics and outcomes, where applicable.

The award period begins Oct. 1, 2021, and ends Sept. 30, 2022. MDHHS expects to award approximately $500,000 to up to six applicants, with a minimum award of $75,000 and a maximum award of $200,000 per applicant.

Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. on June 25.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and click the “About EGrAMS” link on the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete Request for Proposal document can be accessed on the EGrAMS website in the ‘Current Grants’ section by clicking the “Aging and Adult Services” link and accessing the “PRVNT-2022” grant program.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2021
CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS invites public comment on Title V Block Grant application

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) invites the public to comment on the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant application.

Title V of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, provides funding to states to improve the health of mothers, infants and children, including children with special health care needs. Michigan’s Title V application is for services from Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022, and includes a report on activities and services provided in fiscal year (FY) 2020.

Title V state action plans address the following priority areas for the current five-year cycle (FY 2021-2025) to improve the health of the MCH population in Michigan:

• Low-risk cesarean delivery.
• Infant safe sleep.
• Transition for youth with special health care needs to adult health care.
• Preventive dental visits for women and children.
• Childhood lead poisoning prevention.
• Immunizations for children and adolescents.
• Medical care and treatment for children with special health care needs.
• Pregnancy intention.
• Developmental, behavioral and mental health services.

These MCH priorities address needs across five federally identified population domains: women/maternal health, perinatal/infant health, child health, adolescent health and children with special health care needs.

The Title V draft application and annual report are available online. MDHHS welcomes comments on the application by 5 p.m. on June 30. Comments can be submitted to MDHHS-MCHBlockGrant@michigan.gov.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2021 

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

Michigan Senior Citizens of the Year recognized by MDHHS, Consumers Energy for service to their communities 

Residents of Ingham, Eaton counties receive honors 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging & Adult Services Agency has presented its Senior Citizen of the Year Award to two older adults who have made significant contributions within their communities.

Dr. Brenda Surae Eaton of Lansing and Gloria Kovnot of Dimondale are this year’s recipients.

“The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is an opportunity to lift up and celebrate the contributions of older Michiganders,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the Aging & Adult Services Agency. “May is Older Americans Month, a time when we celebrate the strength of older adults and the aging network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.”

Eaton has volunteered in her community since retiring from Sparrow Health System in 2014. She volunteers with AARP Michigan, the Capitol Area Health Alliance, and her local food pantry. She is a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where she serves on its health ministry, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she is active on various committees. She chairs the Protect Michigan Commission seniors workgroup. Eaton was nominated by AARP.

Kovnot is founding member of the Delta Township Senior Council and serves as council co-chair. She also serves on the Tri-County Office on Aging Advisory Council, the AARP Age-Friendly Task Force and the MSU AgeAlive! Board. In 2020 she was a member of a committee that worked to pass Ingham County’s first senior millage request. Kovnot was nominated by the Tri County Office on Aging.

The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is a tradition dating back to 1974 celebrating older adults who have enhanced their communities through their active engagement, volunteerism and acts of service. The award is presented annually at Older Michiganians Day and is sponsored by Consumers Energy.

MDHHS sought nominations from aging network partners including the state’s area agencies on aging.

“Consumers Energy is committed to the Michigan communities we serve, and those communities are made even stronger by the contributions of Michigan residents like these award recipients who give their time and energy to benefit their neighbors and friends,” said Brian Lewis, executive director of customer operations for Consumers Energy. “By awarding two outstanding senior citizens of the year, we recognize their generosity and reinforce our shared belief that service is noble, rewarding and extremely valuable to the growth of our state its citizens.”

Older Michiganians Day is organized by Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, a statewide association that advocates on behalf of Michigan’s older adults. The event traditionally takes place at the State Capitol. This year’s event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.