Board of Health

[11/29/2023] HEALTH ADVISORY REGARDING PEACHES, PLUMS AND NECTARINES

The FDA urges you discard all plums, nectarines and peaches from “HMS Farms Fruit” sold at multiple stores including Walmart, Sam’s Club and Aldi.  It has been determined that a deadly Listeria outbreak linked to these products has left 10 people hospitalized and 1 person has died.

Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection) usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.  Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea.  More severe  symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

For more info, click the link below.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-peaches-plums-nectarines-november-2023

[11/21/2023]  INVESTIGATION OF ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS IN CINNAMON APPLESAUCE POUCHES

Do not eat, sell or serve multiple brands of apple cinnamon fruit pouches. FDA investigation is ongoing. For more information, visit the FDA website; https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023

[11/17/2023] **UPDATE REGARDING EYE DROP RECALL**

The FDA has announced the recall of 26 more brands of eye drops that could cause irritation or blindness.  ( in addition to the brands recalled two weeks ago)  Store brands found at CVS, Walmart, Target  and Rite Aid are among the brands being recalled due to manufacturing in unsanitary conditions.  Please cease using and discard any that you might have.  For a full list visit;   https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye#eyedrops

[11/13/2023] The CDC has announced a dog food recall due to a potential salmonella outbreak –

Victor Super Premium Dog Foods

Wayne Feeds Dog Food

Eagle Mountain Pet Food

Member’s Mark

Salmonella could be obtained by touching the dog food –  Please discard any of the above brands and clean all surfaces that the food may have come into contact  –  and as always, wash your hands

[10/31/2023] FDA is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using 27 over-the-counter eye drop products due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. These products are marketed under the following brands:

• CVS Health
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
• Rugby (Cardinal Health)
• Rite Aid
• Target Up & Up
• Velocity Pharma
• Equate

For a complete, up to date list of recalled products, and more information about potential health risks, click here: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye#eyedrops

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.

 Free home test kits are 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.