Flu Shot Season is Here
Fun 107 and South Coast Health have teamed up to shine a spotlight on some of the most important non-profit organizations in the region. This week's South Coast Community Spotlight has placed the shine on the City of New Bedford's Public Health Department, headed up by the Director of Public Health, Stephanie Sloan.
What is Public Health?
"Unlike traditional medical care which focuses on disease and injuries of an individual, public health is about protecting the health of the whole community. Preventing disease, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and ensuring safety in the food we eat, the homes we live in and the public events and spaces that we enjoy."
Mosquito Borne Illnesses
Sloan shared that one of the bigger concerns for 2024 was the reappearance of mosquito borne illnesses like West Nile virus and EEE. Health officials state wide have been seeing a relatively big season for mosquito borne illnesses. Sloan warns that even though the temperatures have fallen, the mosquitoes will not go away for the season until the first hard frost. However, the threat of these mosquito borne illnesses have really cooled off after the summer came to an end.
Precautions for these types of illnesses are especially important for people over 50 and people who are immunocompromised. While we haven't hard a hard frost, yet, it normally happens on the SouthCoast in mid-October.
Flu Shots
The more pressing issue for the New Bedford Public Health office is the fact that flu season is upon us. "It's really important this year to get your flu shot," said Sloane. "October is the perfect time to get it."
It is also worth a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Be sure to have your proper exams as recommended by your physician.
Stephanie Sloan encourages you to find New Bedford Public Health on Instagram and Facebook and follow along.