Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]  

MDHHS provides $5 million to 12 universities to increase
number of master’s degree behavioral health social workers

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has provided $5 million to 12 Michigan universities to provide $30,000 stipends to students seeking to obtain a master’s degree in social work and who commit to working in behavioral health in the state upon graduation.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to Master of Social Work (MSW) Program seeks to increase the number of master’s degree level social workers in the behavioral health workforce throughout the state. The program provides one-time, $30,000 stipends to bachelor’s level social workers who agree to enter a full-time advanced standing MSW program and provide at least two years of full-time employment in public sector behavioral health in Michigan.

“This program is another investment by the state to increase access to behavioral health care for Michigan families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are committed to helping families access behavioral health care services when and where they need them. We anticipate up to 150 students will be able to obtain their master’s degree in social work through this program.”

Award amounts were calculated based on average number of students in the advanced standing MSW program, average student loan debt and demographic diversity. The following Michigan universities received funding:

• Andrews University – $208,236
• Eastern Michigan University – $371,976
• Ferris State University – $167,169
• Grand Valley State University – $384,339
• Madonna University – $314,824
• Michigan State University – $498,358
• Northern Michigan University – $90,578
• Oakland University – $409,741
• Saginaw Valley State University – $188,063
• Spring Arbor University – $511,468
• University of Michigan – $853,394
• Wayne State University – $1,001,848

Participating universities will now work to contract eligible students into the program to begin working toward their MSW degree. Students are required to enroll in a full-time advanced standing MSW program. The length of the program can vary from university to university; however, it is generally three semesters, or one year.

For additional information, email Jilliann Betzer at [email protected].

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Residents urged to protect against mosquito bites
as first mosquito-borne virus of 2024 detected in Saginaw County

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites as mosquitos collected in Saginaw County on Wednesday, May 22, have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL). These are the first infected mosquitos detected for 2024.

Residents are reminded that the best way to protect themselves against JCV and other mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV), is to prevent mosquito bites.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitos are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”

Every summer in Michigan, bites from mosquitos carry the risk of spreading diseases to people and animals. This year’s warm, wet spring has produced a variety of biting mosquitoes. The majority are mosquitos that hatched in early May and are currently active in tracts of woodland habitat. Some of these spring mosquitos are capable of transmitting JCV. JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021, one in 2022 and four in 2023. Also reported last year were 21 cases of WNV.

JCV is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitos. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-fall. Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite from an infected mosquito. While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.

While the JCV is found throughout much of the United States, cases have been increasing in the Midwest. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment. This is the fourth year that the MDHHS BOL is offering virus testing of mosquitos collected by local health departments and county mosquito control programs. Testing is offered to improve detection and notification of mosquito-borne viruses.

JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses, including WNV and EEE, spread when mosquitos contract the virus from biting infected birds then biting a human.

Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families. The following steps are recommended to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2024

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

Additional influenza A (H5) case detected in Michigan
Risk to general public remains low

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is announcing an additional case of influenza A (H5) in a Michigan farmworker, who worked closely with influenza A (H5) positive cows. This worker was employed at a different farm than the case announced on May 22. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to highlight that the risk to the public remains low; this farm worker was quickly provided antivirals and is recovering from respiratory symptoms.

This virus has been associated with the ongoing multistate outbreak of influenza A (H5N1). As part of the ongoing response, state and local public health are closely monitoring for potential human cases, which can occur sporadically in individuals with close contact to infected animals. It is not unexpected that comprehensive testing is identifying sporadic human infections in farm workers.

“Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With the first case in Michigan, eye symptoms occurred after a direct splash of infected milk to the eye. With this case, respiratory symptoms occurred after direct exposure to an infected cow. Neither individual was wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE). This tells us that direct exposure to infected livestock poses a risk to humans, and that PPE is an important tool in preventing spread among individuals who work on dairy and poultry farms. We have not seen signs of sustained human-to-human transmission, and the current health risk to the general public remains low.”

“In Michigan, we continue to respond to influenza A (H5N1) with a one-health approach, working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to address human and animal health,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring. “Proper use of personal protective equipment is the best tool we have to protect farm workers. MDARD is currently offering assistance to dairy farms in need of additional protective equipment. MDARD has and will continue to take bold actions to assist farms impacted by this disease.”

MDHHS recommends seasonal flu vaccination for people working on poultry or dairy farms. It will not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses, but it can reduce the risk of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.

MDHHS will be posting additional case identifications at Michigan.gov/influenzaA.

MDARD Reminds Michiganders to Think Food Safety this Memorial Day

Lansing, MI – Memorial Day is Michigan’s traditional kick-off to the picnic and barbeque season. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reminds Michiganders to think food safety as they get outside to enjoy the holiday weekend. Following a few simple food safety tips when preparing, holding, and serving foods in warmer weather can help prevent foodborne illness.

“This Memorial Day take extra care when it comes to the food you’re serving and play a major part in protecting your family and friends,” said Tim Slawinski, director of MDARD’s Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health. “Ensuring food safety is crucial for everyone, as it prevents foodborne illnesses and ensures everyone can enjoy their holiday gathering.”

Here are some food safety tips to help make outdoor eating fun and safe:

5. Safe food begins with proper hand washing: Everyone involved in the cooking or eating should wash their hands with soap and water. If water is not available, use disposable handwipes or hand sanitizer.
6. Keep food at the appropriate temperature: Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the “Danger Zone.” It’s especially important to keep cold foods cold when it’s hot outside. When transporting food to a picnic site, pack food on ice to keep it cold so bacteria can’t grow and spoil it. Don’t leave perishable foods out in the heat all day. Pack leftovers back in the cooler with plenty of ice to cool hot foods quickly and keep everything out of the danger zone.
7. Pack beverages in a separate cooler from perishable foods: The beverage cooler will be opened more often, letting in the hot air, while the food cooler will keep contents cooler longer.
8. Cook all meats at the proper temperature: Bring a meat thermometer and test your meats for doneness to assure they are properly cooked.
9. Pack clean soapy towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands: Use a table cover for picnic tables whenever possible. Picnic tables are usually exposed to weather and wildlife and may not be clean even if they look clean. Wipe down the picnic site before you go home as common courtesy for the next picnickers.

If you suspect you have eaten something that has made you ill, please seek medical attention and report your illness to your local health department. Your doctor can assist with this process, or you can contact your local health department directly.

For more food safety tips, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2024

MDHHS CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

     MAAS CONTACT: Laura Biehl, 248-921-5008, [email protected]

Governor Whitmer honors EMS Heroes by
proclaiming May 19-25 as EMS Recognition Week
EMS personnel provide life-saving health care to Michiganders 24/7

LANSING, Mich. – As a thank you for the life-saving health care EMS practitioners provide every day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed May 19-25 as EMS Recognition Week in Michigan.

EMS practitioners stand ready day or night to help residents in need of help. They provide critical pre-hospital care to Michiganders in both emergencies and other health care situations including preventative medicine, follow-up care, other transportation needs and more. The efforts of EMS workers help improve the survival and recovery rates of people who experience sudden illness or injury.

“The work EMS personnel do is essential to the health and safety of our communities,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Paramedics and EMTs are there when we are at our worst and need them most, and we owe them so much gratitude during this week and all year round.”

Though Michigan is still dealing with an EMS staffing crisis, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services EMS workforce grants approved in the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget are helping alleviate this problem. So far, 432 Michigan EMTs have completed or are in the process of completing paramedic training programs throughout the state. Residents interested in a career in EMS can get involved or learn more at GotWhatItTakes.org.

“Michigan’s EMS heroes are proud to serve their communities and provide lifesaving pre-hospital care to residents in need,” said John Clayton, president of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and EMS manager at MyMichigan Health in Midland. “Working in EMS is a tough but rewarding career and we encourage young people to consider serving their community and joining EMS.”

Michigan is home to 29,253 EMS providers, 798 life support agencies and 3,998 licensed life support vehicles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of EMS and Trauma within the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/ems.