Resources available to help older relatives live safely in their homes

Family gatherings during the holiday season offer opportunities to check on how older relatives are doing and how they are planning for the future.

“During the holiday season, family members can often get a fresh look at how well parents, grandparents and other older relatives are coping with their living situations, said Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “Resources are available so older adults can get the help they may need to remain healthy and safe at home.”

Among resources available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging are:

• Senior LinkAge Line. The Minnesota Board on Aging’s free statewide information and assistance service, at 1-800-333-2433, provides help understanding prescription drug coverage and health care options and connects callers with transportation services, chore help, meal services, housing options, legal services and more. The Senior LinkAge Line is part of a help network that also includes Disability Linkage Line, 1-866-333-2466, the Veterans Linkage Line, 1-888-LinkVet, and www.MinnesotaHelp.info, the online service that connects people to a wide variety of services in their communities.
• Own Your Future. The Own Your Future website, mn.gov/ownyourfuture, provides adults of all ages help to plan for and plan to pay for the care most will need in their later years. The website includes the “Own Your Future: Long-term Care Planning Guide.” DHS and the Board on Aging lead the Own Your Future initiative to help Minnesotans of all ages think about help with personal care and household tasks many will need as they grow older.
• Family caregivers. Resources for family caregivers, who provide more than 90 percent of the long-term care needed by older Minnesotans, are available on the Minnesota Board on Aging website, mnaging.net. The Caregiver Resource Guide posted on the site includes checklists to plan for caregiving and for self-care for caregivers.
• Adult protective services. Concerns about possible abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a loved one can be shared with the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center, which is administered by the Department of Human Services. The center provides a toll-free number, 1-844-880-1574, and the general public can call 24/7 to report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. 

Vulnerable adults include any person 18 or older who:

• Has a physical or mental illness or other physical, mental or emotional impairment that affects the person’s ability to care for themselves or protect themselves from maltreatment; and/or
• Is staying in a licensed facility, such as a hospital, nursing home or group home; and/or
• Receives services from a licensed provider, such as a home care agency. 

Maltreatment can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse; caregiver neglect or self-neglect; or financial exploitation. More information is available at mn.gov/dhs/adult-protection.

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.

Exhibitions of Birds Cancelled for 2015 Season

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced its directive to cancel all bird exhibitions at county fairs, the State Fair, and other gatherings of birds. The Board’s directive is effective through the end of 2015 and also prohibits birds from being included in swap meets, exotic sales, and petting zoos.

What this means locally is that there will be no poultry or other birds at any county fair, including petting zoos, in  the State of Mn. Including the Counties of Norman, Polk. Mahnomen, Clay, Clearwater or Beltrami.

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.

Propane shortage and cold weather threaten public health and welfare of livestock

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is concerned about the health and safety of the state’s farming families and their livestock during this cold spell.  The current propane shortage not only jeopardizes farm families’ ability to heat their homes, but also to provide adequate care for their livestock.  Governor Mark Dayton issued a Peacetime State of Emergency yesterday to stand up the state’s emergency operations center to assist farm families and producers who are facing propane shortages and need help.

Any farm families or producers facing a critical shortage of propane should contact the Minnesota duty officer at 1-800-422-0798 or 651-649-5451.  The MDA is also working with our sister agencies and industry groups to identify areas of the state in need.

MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson has met with the governor and other emergency management officials to discuss the shortage and how to improve the supply to Minnesota consumers.

Health officials investigate E. coli O157 infections at pumpkin patch petting zoo

Three Minnesota residents have become ill with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections after contact with animals at Dehn's Pumpkins in Dayton, MN, the Minnesota Department of Health reported today.

The three cases were all children, ranging in age from 15 months to 7 years and are residents of the Twin Cities metro area. One child is hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection characterized by kidney failure. The others were not hospitalized and are recovering. Routine monitoring by the health department identified the E. coli O157:H7 cases, which all have bacterial isolates with the same DNA fingerprint. These cases visited the farm on October 12 or 13, and became ill on October 16 or 18.

The Minnesota Department of Health is in the process of following up with any groups that visited the farm in order to help determine if more people have become ill. At this time, two additional people have reported symptoms consistent with E. coli O157:H7 infection and are currently being tested. These people visited Dehn's on October 18, raising concern that exposures also could have occurred after the weekend of October 12-13.

All of the cases reported having contact with cattle and/or goats at Dehn's. The farm owners have been cooperating fully with the investigation and public access to the cattle and goat areas is being prohibited. The rest of the farm, including the pumpkin patch, remains open for business.

E. coli O157:H7 is commonly found in ruminant animals such as cattle and goats, and this type of exposure is not unique to Dehn's Pumpkins. Outbreaks associated with contact with farm animals are documented virtually every year in Minnesota. Therefore, people who contact ruminants at any venue, public or private, are at risk for infection with E. coli O157:H7, as well as a variety of other germs. People typically become ill from contact with farm animals or their environment by getting bits of feces on their hands after touching the animals or contaminated surfaces, then swallowing the germs while eating, drinking or during other hand-to-mouth activities. Contamination can be present on the fur or in the saliva of animals, on the ground where the animals are kept, or on surfaces such as fence railings of animal pens.

Symptoms of illness caused by E. coli O157:H7 typically include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, often with bloody stools, but only a low-grade or no fever. People typically become ill two to five days after exposure, but this time period can range from one to at least eight days. Most people recover in five to 10 days; however, E. coli O157:H7 infections sometimes lead to HUS, most commonly in children and the elderly.

Health officials say anyone who visited Dehn's Pumpkins since October 12 and develops symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection should contact their health care provider immediately and inform them of their possible involvement in this outbreak. Diarrhea associated with E. coli O157:H7 infection should NOT be treated with antibiotics, as this practice might promote the development of HUS. More information on E. coli O157:H7 can be found at http://www.health.state.mn.us/.

The best way to prevent infections from contact with animals is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately afterwards. Hand sanitizers might afford some protection until hands can be washed with soap and water but do not work well against some germs or when hands are visibly soiled. Food, drinks, and items that promote hand-to-mouth contact (for example, pacifiers) should never be brought into animal areas.

Essentia Health-Ada Clinic Hosts Community Health Fair

We all want to lead healthier lives.  Essentia Health-Ada Clinic is helping community members reach that goal by offering its annual Health and Wellness Fair. The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the clinic, 201 Ninth St. W. in Ada.

Each year, the Health Fair provides education and awareness to residents of Norman County and the surrounding area. Participants can learn about diabetes, cancer, bone density and fitness. Residents can stroll through informational booths and get a $25 blood screening, with all proceeds benefiting Essentia Health’s Bridges Foundation.

Pre-registration is encouraged for the blood screening. Call (218) 784-2727. Fasting at least eight hours before the blood screening is recommended for the most accurate results. The screenings include a complete blood count, a blood sugar test, a test for thyroid-stimulating hormone, a comprehensive metabolic panel and a prostate-specific antigen test.

Healthy habits start when we’re kids. This year, the Health Fair will promote physical activity for kids by featuring a performance by Just for Kix.  The group will perform at 10 a.m. and will lead a mini dance camp at 10:30 a.m. The fun is open to kids ages 3-8.  Participants in the dance camp will perform at 11 a.m. at the health fair.

The walk-in care at the Essentia Health-Ada Clinic will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 26, because of the Health Fair. 

Sanford Health launches Same Day appointments in Fargo Region

(Fargo, ND) - Sanford Health is breaking barriers when it comes to patient care. People are driven by busy schedules, and when illness or injury strikes, they want to be seen as quickly as possible.

Sanford is meeting that need with Same Day at Sanford. The service was created to increase patient access for primary care needs the very same day. “We know our patients are driven by busy schedules and the desire to be seen as quickly as possible when they are sick,” said Richard Marsden, MD, senior executive vice president Sanford Clinic Fargo. Same Day at Sanford is another example of how Sanford Health is delivering on its promise to improve access to health care close to home.”

Sanford Health launched the service in the Fargo region today. The service is available in: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.

The process is simple. Patients can schedule an appointment through Same Day at Sanford by calling their primary care clinic or the Same Day phone line at (855) SAME-DAY. When patients call the Same Day phone line, a receptionist will schedule them with the appropriate clinic so they can be seen as quickly as possible.

“Our patients have been asking for this, and we’re responding,” said Dan Blue, MD, president of Sanford Clinics. “Every effort will be made for patients to see their primary care physician. If that physician isn’t available, we will make arrangements for the patient to be seen by a colleague at that local clinic or a nearby clinic if necessary.”

Same Day appointments will be treated the same as an office visit at the providing clinic. The appointments are available to patients regardless of insurance coverage.

To schedule an appointment, patients can call their local clinic or dial (855) SAME-DAY. Learn more about this unprecedented service at sanfordhealth.org/sameday.

MNSure rates released

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman released the individual policy premium rates, which are the lowest average rates in the country for health insurance plans sold through Minnesota’s new health insurance marketplace, MNsure, when it opens on October 1, 2013. 

Friday’s announcement follows a lengthy and thorough review of all of the new policies, which included providing detailed justification for the rates filed to ensure that the premiums charged are reasonable and necessary.  After the review process, Commissioner Rothman approved the rates for 141 plans in total, 78 of which that will be available to individuals. Minnesota’s nationally-recognized, thorough rate review process resulted in premiums for Minnesotans four to 37 percent lower than had originally been filed - providing border-to-border options for consumers across all metal levels.  

Rates for policies available on MNsure for the individual market start as low as $90.59 for a 25 year-old, non-smoker living in the Twin Cities, with options in each metal level reflecting comparable value for the price.  In addition to the competitive rates of the plans offered through MNsure, comprehensive networks are available across the state - 85 percent of Minnesota counties will have 3 or more health insurance companies to choose from - providing border-to-border choice for all Minnesotans.   

In coordination with the information released by the Commerce Department, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted on its website a preview by carrier of the networks of clinics, hospitals, and chemical dependency treatment centers that will be available through MNsure. Health plans offered through MNsure are required to meet multiple certification standards, and the state’s Department of Health is responsible for certifying the provider networks for all MNsure carriers. MDH also reviews and approves the benefits being offered by HMO’s through MNsure and the Commerce Department reviews and approves benefits for the non-HMO insurers.

Minnesota is one of 31 states in the country that can deny rates requested by insurance companies based upon whether the rates are justified.  The Department’s actuaries conduct statistical analyses and closely scrutinize the assumptions that health insurance companies use to develop rates. The new plans and rates recently approved that will be available during open enrollment include many consumer protections. Those protections include making all health insurance available to every Minnesotan, even those with pre-existing health problems and expanded benefit sets that provide free preventive care.  Additionally, to protect consumers, Commerce Department staff reviewed all policy forms to ensure they included the consumer protections in state law.

Health plans included in MNsure will be sold during open enrollment which begins October 1, 2013 and coverage will take effect Jan. 1, 2014.  

MNsure plans are categorized as bronze, silver, gold or platinum based on how much of the cost is paid by the insured person. For example, bronze plans are likely to have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance. In addition to these four “metal levels,” high deductible “catastrophic plans” are available for young adults under age 30 and certain other qualifying individuals. All plans provide coverage for the set of essential health benefits that are now required by law.

Once a consumer decides what plan of coverage he or she wants to purchase, four factors can affect the premium rate: age, area of the state in which the person resides, whether the person uses tobacco, and how many people are covered by the plan. Minnesotans will want to visit MNsure or call the MNsure consumer call center to learn whether tax credits available exclusively through MNsure can be applied to their premiums to further lower their premium payment.

For more information on Minnesota’s health insurance rates or the rate review process in Minnesota, please visit the Commerce Department’s website to view the rates, frequently asked questions, and additional information about the new health care reform changes that begin January 1, 2014.

For more information on the 15 networks approved by the Department of Health visit MDH’s website, http://health.mn.gov/mnsurenetworks, to review computer files of each network, displaying hospitals, clinics and chemical health providers. Each PDF file is organized by provider zip code and alphabetically within zip codes. Consumers will be able to search networks on the MNsure web site beginning October 1.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is here to help.

Call our Consumer Response Team at 651-539-1600 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3602 (in Greater Minnesota) if you have any questions about your insurance or if you believe you have been a victim of a scam or fraud. 

Sanford Health to implement mandatory employee influenza vaccination policy

(Fargo, ND) - Sanford Health announced today it plans to implement mandatory influenza vaccinations for all Sanford employees and physicians effective with the 2013-2014 influenza season. The organization made the decision in order to maximize patient safety and protect its employees against influenza.

"This decision will protect our patients and also protect our employees during this upcoming influenza season. It's a decision that our physicians support. Sanford Health's physician leadership groups, our Boards of Governors, in all four of our regions have unanimously recommended mandatory influenza vaccinations for all employees," said Paul Carson, MD, medical director, Sanford Health infection prevention and control, Fargo region.

Mandatory influenza vaccinations for health care workers have been endorsed by prestigious health care organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the South Dakota Association of Health Care Organizations (SDAHO). Many health systems across the country are also implementing mandatory influenza vaccinations this year.

Sanford Bismarck has already demonstrated success with influenza vaccinations. The region successfully implemented mandatory influenza vaccinations for its employees in 2010 and has achieved near 100 percent vaccination.

The new policy includes employees and physicians, as well as students, volunteers, contracted workers, locums and vendors. Exceptions to the required immunization will be granted for medical or religious reasons only.

 

3rd Annual Mary Tyrrell Health Walk for Scholarships to be held at UMC

CROOKSTON, Minn. – Mary Tyrrell, a devoted and wife, mother, and nurse, gave tirelessly in support of student-athletes at the University of Minnesota Crookston. The campus invites everyone to remember Mary, support scholarships, and help raise awareness of heart disease during the third annual Mary Tyrrell Health Walk for Scholarships. The walk will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2013, and begins with registration at 5 p.m. in Parking Lot E near Ed Widseth Field on the campus. Registration is $25 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. All registrants will receive a t-shirt designed especially for the walk. To register or for more information about the walk, contact Tricia Sanders at 218-281-8326.

A free "healthy tailgate" will be served for walk participants. Door prizes will be awarded, and all participants are encouraged to stay for the Student-Athlete Meet and Greet at 6 p.m. and the Golden Eagle Maroon and Gold football game at 6:30 pm.

MNsure to Host Twitter Town Hall Monday, August 12

ST.PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans with questions about MNsure, the state of Minnesota’s new health insurance marketplace, are invited to join the Executive Director, April Todd-Malmlov, online between 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12, for a Twitter Town Hall. Todd-Malmlov will respond to tweets during a live, hour-long event designed to provide an opportunity for Minnesotans to have specific questions responded to immediately.

“We’re always looking for new and dynamic ways to engage Minnesotans about MNsure,” said Todd-Malmlov, “and Twitter allows us to reach Minnesotans throughout the state. The Town Hall format makes communicating with us quick and easy and Minnesotans can get an answer in real time.”

Todd-Malmlov added that some responses may exceed the 140-character limit imposed by Twitter, in which case direct messaging will be employed. “The MNsure website, http://www.mnsure.org<http://www.mnsure.org>, is available now and is a robust source of information about how the marketplace works and what consumers and small business owners can expect when open enrollment begins October 1. We’ll share links to that information within our responses as well,” she added.

Those with questions for Todd-Malmlov are invited to submit questions from their Twitter accounts using the hashtag #AskApril. Tweets will then be responded to from MNsure’s Twitter account, @MNsure.

MNsure is a one-stop health insurance marketplace where individuals, families and small employers will be able to get quality health coverage at a fair price. MNsure will empower more than 1 million people to compare, select, and get help finding health insurance. It will facilitate enrollment in public health insurance and private insurance products, calculate eligibility for tax credits and allow Minnesotans to shop and compare between insurance products.

Enrollment in MNsure begins October 1, 2013 and runs through March 31, 2014. For more information about MNsure, how it will benefit Minnesota consumers and businesses, and how to provide input or learn more about the stakeholder process visit http://www.mnsure.org<http://www.mnsure.org>.

August is good time to check on your child's vaccinations, health officials say

 Back to school time is fast approaching and state health officials are reminding parents to make sure their children have the benefit of being fully vaccinated against an array of potentially serious childhood diseases. Now is the time to check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on the vaccines he or she needs to start school.

New data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reaffirms that the vast majority of children in Minnesota enter kindergarten fully vaccinated. In 2012-13, 96.1 percent of all kindergarteners had received all of the immunizations required by Minnesota's school immunization law to protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases. The percent of children who entered kindergarten fully vaccinated has remained steady at about 96 percent since 2005, according to data from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

In the 2012-13 school year, 1.6 percent of students entering kindergarten in Minnesota were exempt from all vaccines. "It's a small group compared to those who are vaccinated, but it still leaves the door open for a vaccine-preventable disease to sneak in and make a child very sick or worse," said Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division at MDH. "We're always striving for 100 percent vaccination coverage."

The remaining 2.3 percent of children were partially vaccinated at the time schools reported compliance with the requirements. Some of these children likely went on to be vaccinated after the date when the data were collected or they obtained a legal exemption to some, but not all vaccines.

The importance of childhood vaccines can be highlighted with the resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough). High vaccination rates with DTaP, the pediatric vaccine that provides pertussis protection, plays an important role in keeping levels of pertussis down in a community. This past year, over 80 cases of pertussis were reported in a small Minnesota community. The outbreak started in a youth mission trip then moved throughout the community and into the schools, affecting mostly adolescents. Even with this significant increase in pertussis disease, the high rates of vaccination in young children prevented spread to the younger age groups.

"It's very reassuring to see that Minnesota has been able to maintain a high vaccination rate for our kindergarteners," said Karen Ernst, co-founder of the Minnesota Childhood Immunization Coalition. "I think it's important for parents out there to know that vaccinating your child is the norm. Parents who choose not to vaccinate are relying on the rest of us to protect their child and are leaving their child susceptible to disease."

Having a high vaccination rate is vital for the health of the population because it prevents disease from spreading. This is especially important for protecting those who can't be vaccinated because of a medical condition or who don't respond to immunization because of a weak immune system.

For copies of your child's vaccination records, talk to your doctor or call the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) at 651-201-5503 or 1-800-657-3970. More information is also available from The CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6230a3.htm?s_cid=mm6230a3_em , and Minnesota Public Health Data Access, https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/immunization.

Essentia Health-Ada Expands Therapy Services for Kids

Families in the Ada area will now be able to receive therapy services closer to home, allowing them to avoid a two- to three-hour round trip to Fargo for this type of care.  Essentia Health-Ada has expanded its physical, occupational and speech therapy services for children, thanks to new staff and a remodeled treatment space.

Two new providers have training in pediatrics and will be caring for kids: Kelsey Baker, a physical therapist, and Brittany Burke, a speech language pathologist.  Also, Mandi Wahlin, an occupational therapist, recently received additional pediatric training.

To make space for the new services, a registration and office area was converted to two treatment rooms.  That’s in addition to the current therapy gym.  The community is invited to see the new space during an open house event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24.

During the planning process, leaders at Essentia Health-Ada worked with the local school districts, which reported a great need for these services in the community.

“It’s something we’ve needed for a while,” says Erin Stoltman, director of rehabilitation at Essentia Health-Ada. “To now have staff who can focus on this and do it well – it’s a big win for the facility and the community.”

The pediatric therapy services can help children with a wide range of issues, including language and motor skills delays.  “It’s a different approach with kids,” Stoltman explains. “You need to have an understanding of where they are in their development.”

Stoltman says therapy services, when needed, can have a major impact on kids’ learning and growth. “With speech issues, if kids can’t communicate, it will affect their success at school.  From an OT and PT standpoint, therapy is needed to help kids be kids, to enjoy the things they want to do.”

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.