Board of Health
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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Update [updated 1-12-24]
The MA Department of Agricultural Resources and its partner agencies have depopulated and disposed of a non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flock (non-poultry) in Barnstable County, Massachusetts due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Birds on the affected premise exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease.
MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds, their feathers, and droppings. The HPAI virus is continuing to circulate in the wild bird population, particularly in wild waterfowl. Eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from having access to ponds, streams, and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl is of critical importance.
Visit MDAR’s Poultry Page for biosecurity resources: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/poultry-program
REPORT sick or dead birds
Domestic: 617-626-1795 or online Poultry Disease Reporting Form: https://www.mass.gov/forms/poultry-disease-reporting-form
Wild: Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds
Visit USDA’s 2022-2023 HPAI Detection Page for information on cases in Wild birds, Domestic poultry and Mammals:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai
COVID info:
We have recently seen an uptick in Covid-19 cases with the new strain circulating in Hamilton and all communities in MA.
Symptoms remain the same with a little more severity for most than recent strains. Symptoms include allergy like or cold like symptoms: nasal congestion, post nasal drip, scratchy throat, headache, cough, increase tiredness as well as achiness and possibly a fever (most do not have a fever). Occasionally, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur, mostly seen in younger children, but can occur with anyone. People may have a few of these symptoms or all of them.
If you have any allergy like or cold like symptoms, you should home test 24 hours after the symptoms start.
If you are negative (but have the symptoms) you should test 2 other times, 24 hours apart (using the home test). The reason for this is with those home tests, there has to be enough viral load in your system to turn positive. Testing too early can give you a “false” negative.
A LIMITED amount of free home test kits are currently available at the Senior Center
Reach out to your Public Health Nurse if you have questions: Judith Ryan 978-626-2150 or email her at [email protected]
COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC UPDATE:
Public Health clinics for the flu and bivalant boosters have ended. Residents are encouraged to seek vaccines from their health care provider or health care clinic. If a resident can’t receive one elsewhere they can call the Public Health Nurse.
Vaccine and booster shots are available at CVS https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine and Walgreens https://walgreens.com/_
*Click on the links below for more information about COVID-19 Booster Shots:
COVID-19 booster frequently asked questions | Mass.gov
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC
Click here for all COVID-19 Information including testing and vacinations ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mission Statement
The Board of Health is responsible for the overall stewardship of the public health and environmental protection of the town. Responsibilities are defined both by local by-laws and state law. The Board promotes, enacts, and enforces all health and environmental laws, rules and regulations.
Additionally the Board of Health conducts health clinics, participates in education programs wherever possible and administers the contracts for a food inspection program, a public health nurse, communicable disease follow-up program, and animal inspection services.
What's New?
Members
Name | Term |
---|---|
David B. Smith Chair | |
Giselle K. Perez, Ph.D. | |
Jean E. Ramsey, M.D. M.P.H. |
Staff
Name | Contact |
---|---|
Dennis Palazzo Health Director | 978-626-5245 [email protected] |
Kerrin Nixon Administrative Assistant | 978-626-5245 [email protected] |
Dennis Palazzo Health Inspector (Food, Camps, Pools) | 978-626-5245 [email protected] |
Hayes Demeule Animal Health Inspector | 978-468-1212 [email protected] |
Greg Bernard Septic Inspector | 978-626-5244 [email protected] |
Judith Ryan, RN, BSN Public Health Nurse | phone: 978-626-5238 fax: 978-248-1046 [email protected] |
TBA Regional Public Health Nurse | |
Jessie Palm, LICSW Regional Social Worker | 978-626-5243 [email protected] |