American Indian Community Infectious Disease Resources

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• November is Native American Heritage Month
• COVID-19 Resources
• Vaccination Update
• Boost Your Vaccine Outreach Efforts
• Syphilis Outbreak Response and Case Counts
• HIV Outbreak Response and Case Counts
• Jobs

The American Indian Community Infectious Disease Resources is a compilation of announcements from many agencies across the nation serving American Indian people with a shared mission of improving the health of our communities. Sharing an item does not imply endorsement by MDH.

November is Native American Heritage Month

This month we celebrate the rich heritage of the Native American/American Indian people as well as their irreplaceable contributions to the country/state we live in. 

Please view the proclamation from Governor Tim Walz below:

11.01.23 Native American Heritage Month_Signed_tcm1055-598088.pdf (mn.gov)

COVID-19 Resources

We know American Indians in Minnesota continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This section is provided to share resources and information that can help decrease health disparities and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities. Getting tested when you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 can help stop the spread of the virus in our communities.

View the MDH Situation Update for COVID-19 (updated weekly on Thursdays) below:

Situation Update for COVID-19 - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

Get Four Free COVID-19 Tests!

Every U.S. household can order 4 more free COVID-19 self-tests. Self-tests (also called at-home tests and over-the-counter tests) are one of several tools that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19. Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. 

You can place an order:

• Online at COVIDTests.gov
• By calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)
• By calling or emailing the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199 or DIAL@usaginganddisability.org (for people with disabilities)

Test ordering is also available through:

Order Your Free At-home Rapid Tests - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

Vaccination Update

With the release of the updated COVID19 booster this fall as well as the RSV vaccine/ antibody product available for older adults, pregnant persons, and young infants/children it is a busy year for immunizations. It is also recommended that persons 6 months and older receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. If you have questions pertaining to your vaccination status or questions about vaccines, please contact your healthcare provider. 

Boost Your Vaccine Outreach Efforts

VacciNative is a resource of vaccination information created by Natives for Natives. This information is available at VacciNative - Indian Country ECHO

Syphilis Outbreak Response and Case Counts

Minnesota is currently experiencing a syphilis outbreak in the Duluth area. Case counts specific to each outbreak can be found below. Minnesota syphilis case counts by county shows the incidence of new syphilis cases compared to previous years.

Partners can use or adapt these resources and tools for syphilis outbreak prevention and response in Minnesota.

Syphilis Outbreak Response and Case Counts - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

Graphic retrieved from Home | Stop Syphilis where media materials are available for order/download to support syphilis prevention. 

HIV Outbreak Response and Case Counts

Minnesota is currently experiencing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks in Hennepin and Ramsey counties as well as the Duluth area. Case counts specific to each outbreak can be found below. Minnesota HIV Case Counts by County shows the incidence of new HIV cases compared to previous years.

Partners can use or adapt these resources and tools for HIV outbreak prevention and response in Minnesota.

HIV Outbreak Response and Case Counts - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

Jobs

Job postings at the Minnesota Department of Health (Infectious Disease)

• Immunization Outreach Coordinator (Job #71084)
• Emerging Infectious Diseases Student Worker (Job #65055)
• Foodborne Diseases Student Worker (Job #65069)

To learn more and apply, visit the Minnesota careers page and type in the job number on the search page.

We invite your input.

Providing information about mitigation strategies can help people understand how to keep their communities safe and healthy over time.

We welcome your questions about the resources above and suggestions on what to include in future issues please email cedar.savage@state.mn.us 

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