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I wanted to give you an update on our work here at Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health this past September. We've been staying busy in the Health Protection Division! As you may already know, staff have been working together to address a cluster of tuberculosis cases in our community. Tuberculosis is a serious public health issue - it is not a "disease of the past" - and it is important to understand symptoms and seek treatment if you have been exposed, even if you have previously been treated for latent tuberculosis (LTBI).
CDC guidance indicates that individuals who are exposed to a
case should be tested immediately and eight weeks after last exposure. We’ve hired a temporary contact investigator
to support ongoing communication and outreach with households who have been
impacted by tuberculosis in our community. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be
like to be a disease investigator, check
out this article on Oklahoma’s response to a syphilis outbreak.
Our partners at HBI-Minnesota are still looking for volunteers to assist with registration at their free community health screenings (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, glucose, and cholesterol) alongside the Hmong Healthcare Professionals Coalition. If you would like to support this valuable community service, email Dan-Tam Phan-Hoang today. Shifts are available on the following dates/locations, and you do not need to speak Hmong to participate:
Saturday, Oct. 7 (10 AM-2 PM): Hmong Village (1001 Johnson Pkwy, St. Paul, MN)
Saturday, Oct. 21 (10 AM - 2 PM): HmongTown Marketplace (650 Rice St, St Paul, MN)
Saturday, Nov. 11 (10 AM - 2 PM): Hmong American Partnership (1075 Arcade St St. Paul, MN)
Let Dan-Tam know that you are a Ramsey County Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.
It would be odd for me not to mention what’s been going on
in the world here since my last email: hurricanes, earthquakes, and mass
shootings. If you are looking for ways to support recovery in Mexico and Puerto Rico, consider a financial donation to an organization that provides direct fiscal support to individuals in need. The Hispanic Federation is one great example of an organization that is directing funds locally.
These are hard times to work in public health, especially for those
of us who have loved ones living far away. All of us who are caretakers need to
practice self-compassion, especially as the days grow shorter (and somehow
busier?).
Hope you and yours are staying safe and well,
Laura
Andersen, MPH | Health Protection Division Manager
Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health
90 West Plato Blvd, Suite 200
Phone 651-266-2592
laura.andersen@co.ramsey.mn.us
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