May 1-7 is Safe Drinking Water Week in Minnesota

Recognizing that Minnesotans’ health and quality of life depend on an ample supply of safe drinking water, Governor Mark Dayton has declared May 1-7 as Safe Drinking Water Week in Minnesota. In observance of the week, state health officials are inviting Minnesotans to consider what they can do in their homes and communities to protect their drinking water sources and help ensure safe drinking water.
The week coincides with National Drinking Water Week, which celebrates the contributions of public water supply operators in providing safe drinking water for the nation’s residents. In Minnesota, there are more than 7,000 public water supply systems providing drinking water to more than 80 percent of the state’s residents.
“We all must do our part in maintaining this valuable resource – from the source to the tap,” said Randy Ellingboe, manager of the Drinking Water Protection program for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). “From both a health and cost standpoint, it is better to prevent problems than to fix them after they’ve happened.”
Earlier this year, Governor Dayton proposed a $219.7 million plan to modernize Minnesota’s aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and to protect groundwater from contamination. While the work of thousands of public water supply operators around the state is vital in providing safe drinking water and protecting its sources, there are things people can do in their homes, yards and neighborhoods to protect the quality and quantity of drinking water sources. For example, in your home:

• Fix leaking faucets.
• Run full loads of laundry or dishes.
• Use biodegradable soaps.
• Don’t flush leftover medicines down the drain. Learn how to dispose of them properly.
• Use water-saving appliances.

In your yard or property:

• Use water-saving landscaping.
• Minimize use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Seal any unused wells on your property.
• If you have a septic system, make sure it’s properly maintained.

In your neighborhood or community:

• Know where your water comes from (whether ground or surface water), and be aware of the areas that most need protection from contamination. In many communities, Drinking Water Supply Management Areas have been identified – these are key areas for protection. Contact your public water utility for more information about this.

Minnesota has maintained one of the highest rates of compliance to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in the country. In addition to routinely checking the drinking water to ensure its safety, MDH works with communities to keep the water from corroding water main pipes and plumbing. If the water is too corrosive, it can absorb harmful contaminants like lead. Whenever a public water supply changes its source of water, the operators must work with MDH engineers to understand any changes in water chemistry and take steps to prevent problems.
People can also take actions in their homes to reduce the potential for lead in their drinking water, which can come from their service lines (the pipe that connects homes to the water main in the street) or plumbing fixtures, such as faucets.

• When tap water has been sitting in pipes overnight or for long periods, before using it for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth, run the water for a few minutes or until it feels cold to the touch. This will flush out water that may have absorbed trace amounts of lead. Use that water for watering plants or cleaning.
• Choose to do other tasks that use water to flush the pipes first thing in the morning before drinking or cooking, such as shower, flush toilets, or wash clothes or dishes.
• Fill a pitcher during periods of regular water usage and keep it in the refrigerator for drinking, or use a pitcher filter designed to remove lead.

Safe drinking water is essential not just for physical health, but for jobs and a healthy economy in the state, said Jim Sadler, water superintendent for the City of Maple Grove and current chair of the Minnesota Section of American Water Works Association.
“Communities depend on a safe and reliable supply of water,” Sadler said. “If that goes away, so does any economic development.”
Protecting sources of water is the first step in providing safe water. Efforts in recent years to identify potential sources of contamination and keep them away from lakes, streams and underground sources of water has proven to be cost effective.
Regardless of how well-protected a water source is, public water systems may still need to treat their water. Owners and operators of public water systems work with MDH to identify harmful contaminants and take steps to remove or treat them in order to provide safe, reliable drinking water. Drinking Water Protection staff at MDH routinely sample the water at public water systems for more than 100 different type of chemicals or contaminants.
For additional information on drinking water, see MDH Drinking Water Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Ground Water and Drinking Water.

Number of families protected from radon improves

The number of Minnesota families taking action to reduce levels of cancer-causing radon gas in their homes has more than doubled in the two years since a new state law took effect in 2014. Health officials say the increase means fewer families will experience lung cancer and other negative health impacts of radon exposure in the years ahead.

The law that took effect Jan. 1, 2014, requires that more detailed information be provided to buyers about radon during Minnesota home sales. According to data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), most of the additional radon mitigation work in homes since enactment of the law occurred as part of real estate transactions. There were 3,392 homes mitigated for radon during the first nine months of 2015. For the same period in 2014, 2,389 homes were mitigated. In comparison, 1,491 homes had radon mitigation work in 2013 and 1,067 homes had the mitigation work in 2012.

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It can enter into homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. The only way for residents to know if their home has high levels of radon is to test.

Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S. Fortunately, the risk can be greatly reduced by testing homes and fixing radon problems. Health officials say about two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas, and every home should be tested.

The 2014 Minnesota Radon Awareness Act requires sellers to inform home buyers whether their home has been tested for radon and, if so, what the levels are and whether the home has been mitigated for radon. In addition, sellers must provide a warning statement and a two-page publication to the buyer. Radon tests can be incorporated into a home inspection. The law does not require radon testing or mitigation; only disclosure of whether testing or mitigation of the home has been done.

 “This law improves the health and safety of Minnesotans by informing home buyers about the harmful effects of radon at the point of sale,” said Dan Tranter, MDH indoor air program supervisor. “This allows potential buyers to be educated on radon and to request a radon test for a property similar to the way home inspections are arranged.”

January is National Radon Action Month and Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed Radon Action Month in Minnesota. During January, MDH is sponsoring radio and internet ads across Minnesota to encourage people to test their homes. In addition, MDH has partnered with local public health departments to make test kits available to local residents at low or no cost.

Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to five days. Test kits are available at city and county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories. A list of participating health agencies and test kit vendors can be found on the MDH website at Radon in Minnesota Homes.

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. If your home’s level is at or above 4 piC/L (picoCuries per Liter) you should consider verification testing and having a radon mitigation system installed. You can find MDH’s list of certified radon mitigation contractors at Radon Contractors/Mitigation Service Providers.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation, visit Radon in Minnesota Homes or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050. To see how radon has affected the lives of cancer patients and their families visit CanSAR - Cancer Survivors Against Radon.

MDH establishes information line for Minnesotans with Ebola questions

As part of an ongoing effort to provide Minnesotans with information about Ebola and related precautions against the disease, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today established an Ebola Information Line. The number for the Ebola Information Line is 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.

“Minnesota’s best defense against Ebola is access to reliable information and resources,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This hotline will provide Minnesotans a reliable point of contact for any questions or concerns they have about this disease.”

The line will be staffed during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. MDH has made arrangements for a translation service to help facilitate calls from those who do not speak English.

The purpose of the information line is to provide an easy, reliable source of Ebola information to Minnesota residents. Information about Ebola is available also on the Minnesota Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/index.html.

MDH launches new effort to improve HPV vaccination rates among state’s adolescents

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced a new effort to increase coverage rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among adolescents in the state. The plan includes a public awareness campaign geared toward families of adolescents, a direct mailing with vaccination reminders and education opportunities for health care providers.

The effort was made possible by a $600,000 grant awarded to the department by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Following a competitive process, Minnesota was one of 7 states and 4 cities to be awarded the funds.

The primary purpose of the HPV vaccine is to prevent cancer. The vaccine protects against the strains of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer in women as well as several other types of cancers in men and women. The vaccine, given in a series of three shots, is recommended for adolescent girls and boys beginning at 11 years of age. It can be given at the same time as the vaccines that prevent whooping cough and meningococcal disease, as well as any other vaccines an adolescent may be due to receive.

Despite its cancer-fighting ability, the vaccine is greatly underused, health officials say. According to a 2012 survey, only 33.1 percent of young women in Minnesota had received the full three doses, mirroring the national rate of 33.4 percent, and slightly more than 59 percent of Minnesota girls had received the first dose. Among teen boys, to whom the recommendation was more recently expanded, first-dose vaccine coverage was only 20.8 percent.

"Taking into account cervical cancer alone, if we could vaccinate 80 percent of young women in the U.S. today, we could prevent 98,800 cases of cancer and 31,700 deaths, according to CDC estimates," said Kristen Ehresmann, director of infectious disease for MDH. "Our goal in Minnesota is to reach that 80 percent coverage level of three doses of HPV vaccine for females age 13 to 15 by 2020. We hope this grant will give us a big boost toward that goal."

Minnesota’s three-part strategy for using the grant includes the following:

• A public awareness campaign will use a variety of media and advertising vehicles to reach high-school and middle- school-age students and their families, including working with culturally and ethnically diverse media outlets to place ads and articles about HPV and other adolescent vaccines.
• In its postcard reminder project, MDH will send postcards to the families of all 11- and 12-year-olds in the state informing them of the importance of the adolescent vaccines and encouraging vaccination.
• For the health care community, MDH will offer a variety of in-person and online opportunities for providers to update their knowledge and skills regarding adolescent vaccination. Provider education is important, Ehresmann said, because studies consistently show that a strong recommendation from a provider is the single best predictor of vaccination and an important factor in a parent's decision to vaccinate their child.

The grant activities will complement the department’s efforts to inform parents and health care providers of new immunization requirements for school enrollment that take effect this fall, including Tdap and meningococcal vaccines for adolescents. While HPV is not included in the new requirements, MDH strongly recommends that adolescents receive all three vaccines at the same time. These activities also coincide with the Minnesota Cancer Alliance’s current initiative to promote HPV vaccine as a cancer prevention measure.

The HPV grant runs through Dec. 31, 2014.

Twenty-five Salmonella illnesses now linked to homemade unpasteurized fresh cheese

At least 25 Minnesotans have been sickened with salmonellosis linked to eating a raw Mexican-style cheese, queso fresco, state health officials said. The outbreak illustrates the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the City of Minneapolis have been investigating the outbreak and the source of the raw milk used to make the cheese since the first cases were detected in late April.

MDH confirmed 18 cases of infection with the same strain of Salmonella. An additional seven cases of illness occurred among family members or other contacts of confirmed cases, but no laboratory specimens were available. The individuals became ill between March 28 and April 24. Of the 25 cases, 15 were hospitalized. All have recovered. Many cases reported eating unpasteurized queso fresco purchased or received from an individual who made the product in a private home. Investigators have determined that the individual made home deliveries and also may have sold the product on a street corner near the East Lake Street area of Minneapolis.

Anyone who may have purchased or received this product recently should not eat it but should throw it away.

Samples of unpasteurized queso fresco collected from the cheese maker were found to contain the same strain of Salmonella as the illnesses. Investigators determined that the milk used to make the cheese was purchased by the cheese maker from a Dakota County farm. Unpasteurized milk samples collected at the farm were also found to match the outbreak strain.

Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, director of MDA's Dairy and Food Inspection Division, said the outbreak underscores the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. "It only takes a few bacteria to cause illness. Milking a cow is not a sterile process and even the cleanest dairy farms can have milk that is contaminated. That's why pasteurization - or the heat treatment of milk to kill the harmful pathogens - is so important," said Kassenborg.

Minnesota law allows consumers to purchase raw milk directly from the farm for their own consumption, but it may not be further distributed or sold. Additionally, cheese production facilities need to follow proper food safety laws and regulations, including licensure.

Dr. Carlota Medus said the outbreak may be over, as there are no suspect cases pending. However, it may still be possible to see additional cases that have not been reported yet from people who consumed cheese prior to health officials' interventions, which occurred April 23-26.

While this particular outbreak may be over, MDA and MDH officials are concerned that this may not be an isolated incident: that there may be other instances of people buying foods like unpasteurized queso fresco prepared by neighbors, friends or family. "It's important for people to be aware of the inherent risk of consuming any raw dairy product from any source," Medus said. "We encourage people to think carefully about those risks and know that the risks are especially high for young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems."

Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in high risk groups. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Symptoms often begin 12-72 hours after consumption of contaminated food but can begin up to a week or more later. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Proposed changes in immunization rules for schools, child care

The Minnesota Department of Health is proposing to make changes in the state’s school immunization rules that would bring the law up to date with current recommendations and practices.

The proposed changes to immunization requirements for children in child care and grades pre-K-12 would:

• Require Hepatitis A and B vaccination for children enrolling in child care or school-based early childhood programs.
• Replace the current seventh- grade tetanus-diphtheria (Td) requirement with a vaccine that also includes pertussis (Tdap).
• Require secondary students to have meningococcal vaccination beginning in seventh grade.

If approved, the proposed changes would take effect beginning in September 2014. They do not change the medical exemption or the option for parents to decline any or all vaccines for conscientious reasons

The department plans to adopt the changes through its rulemaking authority without a public hearing. If, however, 25 or more people submit a written request for a hearing on the rules by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, the department will hold a public hearing. Information on how to request a hearing or comment on the rules can be found at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/immrule/public.html. If a hearing is held, it will be conducted by Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, in room B144 Orville L. Freeman Building, 625 N. Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55155. A Notice of Intent to Adopt was published in the State Register on April 29.

Some additional proposed changes to the school and child care immunization rules make modifications in the timing of certain doses of required vaccines to match current medically acceptable standards and put early childhood programs that meet regularly for six weeks or more under the immunization rule. More details on the proposed changes are on the MDH immunizations website at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/immrule/changes.html.

The changes being proposed are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) as well as other professional groups.

“These changes bring Minnesota’s immunization requirements up to date with current, evidence-based national immunizations recommendations,” said Kristen Ehresmann, director of infectious diseases for MDH. “Our ultimate goal is to make sure all children in Minnesota have the opportunity to be protected from these diseases that can cause serious illness or even death – but that can be prevented through simple vaccination.”

Task force members sought for health care reform project

The Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) are seeking individuals to serve on two task forces that will support the Minnesota Accountable Health Model (ACH) initiative. In February the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) awarded Minnesota a $45 million State Innovation Model (SIM) grant for its ACH model, which is designed to provide better care at a lower cost. This effort is a joint initiative of DHS and MDH.

The two task forces are the Community Advisory Task Force and the Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force. The application deadline for both groups is April 23. Individuals may learn about the application process at the Open Commissions & Appointments page on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s web site: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/.

“To succeed we need the best ideas and insights from a diverse range of people, from those who are experts in health care to those who are experts in their own communities,” Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. “This is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota to strengthen the relationships between state government, health care providers and local communities.”

The ACH model will help communities assess methods intended to improve the health of their citizens. During a three-and-a-half year period beginning April 1, 2013, Minnesota will develop and test new ways that government, communities, social services organizations, public health departments and health care providers of all types can work better together.

According to Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, the ACH initiative exemplifies why Minnesota leads the nation in health care reform: “The ACH model is an innovative approach that allows us to provide every Minnesotan with the opportunity to receive team-based, coordinated, patient-centered care while reducing costs across the health care system.”
By 2016 nearly 3 million Minnesotans are expected to receive care through this model, which is preliminarily projected to save $111 million from Medicaid, Medicare and private sources over three years

Recommendations for health-related precautions now posted on MDH website

An ounce of prevention now could be worth gallons of cure later for private water well owners facing floods this spring, said state health officials today.

Heavy snowfalls this winter created the likelihood for flooding in certain parts of the state. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is advising well owners that private water wells contaminated with flood water can pose a health risk. MDH recommends that well owners take precautions before possible flooding and take corrective actions if their well is flooded.

MDH recommends well owners take the following steps if they think their well may become flooded:

• Store a supply of clean water before taking your well out of service.
• Disconnect the power supply for your well. If you need help, consult with a licensed well contractor or pump installer.
• If you have time, have a well contractor install a water-tight cap or cover on your well - temporarily replacing the regular vented well cap or seal.
• If you don't have time to have a professional install a watertight cap, clean off the outside of the well casing and cover the top of the well with a heavy-duty trash bag or some other form of heavy plastic sheeting. Secure the plastic covering with electrical tape or some other type of waterproof tape or strapping material. Do not use duct tape - it won't hold under flooding conditions.
• Be prepared to have your well disinfected and tested after the flood waters recede, if your well does become flooded. Installing a water-tight cap or securing a plastic covering won't eliminate the need for disinfection and testing, but it will help keep debris and sediment out of the well, and make the post-flood clean-up go more smoothly.
• If flood waters cover the top of the water well casing, water from your well should not be used for drinking or cooking until the floodwater recedes and the well is disinfected and tested. Until then, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth.

After the flood waters recede, if the water reached your well casing, assume your well is contaminated. You should take the following steps to make sure your well is safe:

• If your well was not protected prior to the flooding, have a professional well driller clean out any sediment and debris. Using your well pump to flush out the well could ruin the pump. A directory of licensed well contractors is available on the MDH website at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/lwc/.
• Disinfect the well yourself or have a well contractor disinfect the well. Disinfect the well using a chlorine solution before having it tested. Detailed instructions are available at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/waterquality/disinfection.html.
• After disinfecting the well and pumping out the chlorine solution, contact a MDH-certified testing laboratory about submitting a water sample. Tell the lab staff you need to have your well tested for coliform bacteria – or simply "bacteria." They will tell you what you need to do, and provide a bottle for the sample. To find a lab, contact your local health department, or go to: https://apps.health.state.mn.us/eldo/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam.
• Be prepared to repeat the disinfection and testing process several times, if necessary, to ensure that your well is free of bacterial contamination.
• Don't drink water from your well until the lab has informed you that it is safe and free of bacterial contamination.

If flood water came within 50 feet of your well - but did not reach the wellhead:

• You may still want to have your water tested as a precaution.
• You should not need to disinfect your well before having it tested.

If flood water did not come within 50 feet of your well, you do not need to do anything and your well should be fine.

For more information about well safety and protecting your health during a flood, visit www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/emergency/natural/floods/.

Influenza activity continues to be widespread, heightened in MN

Minnesota continues to experience vigorous, widespread influenza activity, with high levels of hospitalizations and deaths reported. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) updated its Weekly Influenza Activity summary (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/stats/index.html) on its website today. Some important points to note about the current situation:

To date, MDH has received reports of 1,842 hospitalizations due to influenza-like illness and has confirmed 60 deaths due to influenza or complications from influenza.

These numbers are current for reports received as of the week ending Jan. 12.

By comparison, Minnesota recorded 285 hospitalizations for influenza-like illness in all of 2008-09; 965 in ’10-’11 and 552 in ’11-12. In the pandemic year of 2009-10, there were 1,824 hospitalizations.

Influenza can cause a viral pneumonia, and influenza can be a gateway for secondary infections such as a bacterial infection including bacterial pneumonia. In addition people with certain medical conditions can have a worsening of their condition when they are ill with influenza.

One of the reasons why we are seeing more influenza this year may be because one of the predominant circulating strains is the H3N2 strain of the virus. In years in which H3N2 is the predominant strain, we typically see more severe cases of illness, particularly in the very young and the elderly, and more cases overall.

The south central, central and metro areas of the state continue to have the highest levels of activity. While this is challenging their resources, they appear to be managing well.

Regional health care coalitions continue to monitor hospital bed count and resource needs. This public/private partnership between public health, hospitals, clinics and local business partners continues to play a critical role in the success of Minnesota’s response to influenza.

In the coming week, we expect to continue to see reports of hospitalizations and deaths from influenza, however the rate of reports to the department seems to be slowing somewhat, but we can’t say for certain whether cases have peaked or not until we see and evaluate two more weeks of data.

The past several influenza seasons [since 2008 and excluding the pandemic] have been mild so many Minnesota residents may not be accustomed to seeing higher levels of seasonal influenza activity. The amount and severity of influenza varies from season to season; we are having a severe seasonal influenza year, which happens every so often.

Recommendations for individuals

Vaccine availability

We are still encouraging people to be vaccinated. It is not too late to get vaccinated. Our goal is to use all doses of vaccine available.

Vaccine is still available from the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program for those with federal (Medicaid) insurance and vaccine distributors still have vaccine for sale for those that are privately insured. The majority of clinics that we are speaking to have adequate vaccine. This is a changing situation and we are in contact with partners and are continually assessing the situation.

It is possible that some providers may have exhausted their supply at this point in the season; you may need to check with a few clinics to find vaccine. Based on the information we have available, it should be possible to find a provider who has vaccine available. We strongly advise people to keep looking. The MDH flu clinic locator may be helpful for this.

To find the location of a flu clinic near you, visit www.mdhflu.com.

If you are going to a retail store pharmacy site be sure to check about age groups being served. Not all pharmacies serve persons under age 18 years.

Because people with medical conditions or the elderly, who are at high risk for influenza complications may not have the best immune response to the vaccine, it is important that those around them are vaccinated.

Many of our deaths are occurring in the elderly – over 66 percent were in those over age 80 – so it is very important that those who live, visit or work around the elderly, particularly health care workers and long-term care workers, are vaccinated.

While the vaccine doesn’t offer perfect protection, it is still the best tool we have for preventing influenza and its complications. If you don’t get it, you don’t have protection.

The CDC recently released a report that estimated 60% effectiveness for this year’s flu vaccine against medically attended influenza. This is a preliminary estimate.

Given this level of efficacy, some vaccinated persons will become ill with influenza. Therefore, antivirals should be used as recommended for at risk patients regardless of their vaccination status.

Antivirals continue to be available. Pediatric suspensions are the only formulation for which FDA is reporting intermittent shortages. Pharmacists can compound their own pediatric formulations.

What else you can do

Most people can fight the flu at home with rest and fluids. If you or your child develop concerning symptoms, call your health care provider. If you are at risk for becoming very ill from influenza, call your health care provider as soon as symptoms of flu illness develop – they will determine whether influenza testing and possible treatment are needed.

New guidance for the public is available: “When to Get Medical Help for Flu Symptoms” provides general guidance for persons experiencing flu symptoms and when to seek medical attention.

MDH and the CDC recommend that everyone get vaccinated for influenza, but especially those at high risk for complications from influenza. Those include:

Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old.

Adults 65 years of age and older (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm).

Pregnant women (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm).

American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of flu complications.

People who have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, neurological disease, kidney and liver disorders and others. For a list, see CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.

During flu season, besides getting vaccinated, there are other steps people can take to avoid spreading or catching influenza:

Do your best to stay healthy. Get plenty of rest, physical activity and healthy eating.

Stay home from school or work if you have a respiratory infection. Avoid exposing yourself to others who are sick with flu-like illness.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.

Wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

Symptoms, treatment, etc.

The symptoms of influenza, which tend to come on suddenly, can include a sore throat, coughing, fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. People who become severely ill with influenza-like symptoms should see a physician.

Influenza is caused by a virus and antibiotics which are used against bacteria are not effective against it. Antivirals such as oseltamivir and zanamivir can be used against influenza.

More information on influenza can be found at www.mdhflu.com.

Radon testing

Minnesota homes need to be tested for radon; winter is best time to do it

Every 25 minutes, one person in the U.S. dies from radon-related lung cancer. It is the largest environmental cancer risk and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Fortunately, the risk is largely preventable.

More than 40 percent of Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas and state health officials say every home should be tested. To emphasize the importance of radon testing, Gov. Mark Dayton has declared January "Radon Action Month" in Minnesota. Over 40 local public health agencies around the state have partnered with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to make over 8000 radon test kits available to local residents at low or no cost. For details on how to obtain a kit, contact your local public health agency or MDH. A list of participating health agencies can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/rncontacts.html.

During the months of January and February, MDH is sponsoring a series of eye-catching ads in the skyway systems of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester designed to get people's attention about radon. MDH will also be sponsoring radio ads in the Twin Cities to encourage people to test their homes.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and more than 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year. Radon exposure, however, is a preventable health threat. Over 1,000 Minnesota homeowners every year have radon reduction systems installed in their homes, but this is a small percentage of all Minnesota homes that have elevated radon levels.

Radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless, so the only way for homeowners to know if their home has radon is to test. Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes 3-5 days. Most test kits are priced under $20 and are available at city and county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories.

Discounted test kits can also be purchased online at www.radon.com.

The best time to test is in the winter, but testing can be done year-round. It is especially important to test during real-estate transactions. Radon tests can be easily incorporated into a home inspection.

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. Tests should not be done in laundry or utility rooms, kitchens or bathrooms. Once you have tested, further action can be taken based upon your results. If your home's level is over 4 PiC/L, you should consider verification testing and having a radon mitigation system installed. Anyone interested in mitigating his or her home for radon should consult MDH's list of certified radon mitigation contractors at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigation.html.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation visit www.health.state.mn.us/radon or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050. To see how radon has affected the lives of cancer patients and their families visit www.CanSar.org.