Forum on county reaction to H1N1 virus
A public forum on the H1N1 virus sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health will be held 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Anne Arundel Community College, Cade Building, Room 219. County Executive John R. Leopold will host the forum to update residents about the county's response to the virus. Department of Health and public schools officials will provide information. To register, e-mail CCServices@aacounty.org.
Free FluMist vaccine will be offered to all Anne Arundel County Public School students through a partnership with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health Oct. 5 through Oct. 15.
Administered to healthy children between the ages of 5 and 11, the nasal spray vaccine contains the live, but attenuated (weakened), flu virus. Students must provide a written parental consent form. Permission forms must be returned to the school no later than Friday, Sept. 25. Forms can be found on the Anne Arundel Public Schools Web site www.aacps.org.
The FluMist vaccine is not the same as a vaccine for H1N1 (swine flu). Additional information is available on the county department of health's website www.aahealth.org.
Rabies vaccination
The annual Raccoon Oral Rabies Vaccination project will continue through the end of September, weather permitting. Baits will be placed throughout the county.
The baits:
* Contain liquid rabies vaccine. A raccoon is immunized when it bites into the bait.
* Cannot cause rabies and are not harmful to raccoons, pets or other animals.
* Protect people and pets. Raccoons are the main source of rabies in the county.
* Will be placed in neighborhoods by teams of trained department of health staff. Teams will wear orange T-shirts or vests and travel in marked county vehicles.
* Will be dropped from a low-flying county police helicopter in less populated areas.
* Come in two styles - one looks like a light brown ketchup packet, and the other looks like a small brown brick, about 0.75 inches thick by 1.25 inches square.
* Are marked with a toll-free 800 phone number. Anyone who comes in contact with the bait or has a pet that finds the bait should call 410-222-7168.
* Are used in many parts of the United States without serious human health effects. It is recommended that children younger than 18, or those who are pregnant or immune-compromised avoid handling the bait.
