FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Availability of monoclonal antibody treatment expands to North Nampa; vaccines continue to be best defense against COVID-19

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Starting December 1, 2021, a Saltzer Health urgent care clinic in Nampa will begin offering COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment. The treatment is available by appointment only, seven days a week at the Saltzer North Nampa clinic, 9850 W. St. Luke’s Drive. Patients must be referred by a health care provider. Treatments are given at no cost to the patient, and health insurance isn’t required.

While the vaccine continues to be the most effective method for preventing hospitalizations from COVID-19, monoclonal antibody (mAB) treatment could benefit Idahoans who have tested positive for the virus and are at risk for developing serious illness. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalization and death from COVID-19 if administered within 10 days of symptom onset to those who are considered at high risk for developing severe illness. The treatment is given as an IV infusion over 20 minutes, followed by a 1-hour observation period.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is recommended for people age 12 years and older who are at risk of progressing to severe disease or hospitalization due to COVID-19. Risk factors may include age (64 years or older), obesity; pregnancy; chronic kidney disease; diabetes; chronic lung disease; immunosuppressive disease; cardiovascular disease.

“While this treatment is not meant to replace vaccinations to prevent COVID, it has been proven as an effective treatment for COVID-infected patients to decrease hospitalization and death,” said Dr. John Kaiser, chief medical officer at Saltzer Health, an Intermountain Healthcare company.

The treatment is authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration. Clinical trials showed monoclonal antibodies could reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 70%.

“Monoclonal antibody treatment will allow us to help people avoid hospitalization and reduce the disease burden in our community,” he said. “Saltzer Health is pleased to be able to minimize the impact of COVID on vulnerable patients and their families.”

The Saltzer Health mAb treatment center is operated under a contract with the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. A provider referral is required to receive treatment. Those without a primary care provider can contact Saltzer Health for an appointment at 208-463-3000.

For those interested in getting vaccinated against COVID-19, please note that only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for emergency use (EUA) for those ages 5-16 and fully licensed for ages 16 and older. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are both authorized for emergency use in those 18-years and older. The CDC recommends all people 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots recommended for eligible adults age 18 and older.

Making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Whether it’s your first dose, second dose, or booster dose, if you would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19, please call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411. To find a pediatric vaccination location near you, contact your child’s pediatrician, your family doctor, Southwest District Health, or visit Vaccines.gov.

Inquiries about the SWDH mobile vaccination team available free of charge to businesses or events within SWDH’s jurisdiction can be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (MST) except for observed holidays.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources

• For more information about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, speak with your child’s pediatrician or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locator https://vaccines.gov
• SWDH COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/#Vaccine

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Southwest District Health Media Contacts:

Ashley Anderson    Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov

Katrina Williams     Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

Saltzer Health Media Contact:

Amy Stahl   ABStahl@SaltzerHealth.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Idaho public health officials confirm first COVID-19 child death

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and Southwest District Health (SWDH) have confirmed the first death of an Idaho child due to COVID-19. The child was an infant and died in October.

To protect the privacy of the child’s grieving family, no further details will be released to the public.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this child,” said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator for the Idaho Division of Public Health. “Infection with the virus can have devastating impacts on families, and this situation highlights the seriousness of COVID-19.”

Nearly 900 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported among children in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic.

“We were saddened to hear of the loss of one of our newest community members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time,” said Nikole Zogg, SWDH director.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for parents and prospective parents, including pregnant women, who may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for pregnant women, who may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect parents and prospective parents from severe illness from COVID-19, which can help protect babies and children who are too young to be vaccinated.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

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Media Contacts: 

DHW Media Contact: Greg Stahl
Public Information Officer
208-334-0668

SWDH Media Contact: Ashley Anderson
Public Information Officer
Southwest District Health
Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vaccine appointments available at Southwest District Health for individuals aged 5 and older following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine approval for children ages 5-11

CALDWELL, IDAHO – COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals ages 5 and older are now available at Southwest District Health (SWDH). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years. On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine for children ages 5-11. This means that children 5-11 years and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.

Before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was rigorously tested and reviewed, and over 11 million adolescents ages 12-17 have already safely received the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents are encouraged to do their own research on the safety, efficacy, and science behind COVID-19 vaccines.

Like the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 12 years and older, the two doses are administered at least 21 days apart. However, the pediatric vaccine for ages 5-11 is a different formulation and dose size than the vaccine for ages 12 years and older and requires different storage and handling practices.

Of note, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for emergency use (EUA) for those ages 5-16 and fully licensed for ages 16 and older. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are both authorized for emergency use in those 18-years and older. The CDC recommends all people 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots recommended for certain eligible groups as well.

Making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Whether it’s your first dose, second dose, or booster dose, if you would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19, please call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411. To find a vaccination location near you for your child contact your child’s pediatrician, contact Southwest District Health, or visit Vaccines.gov.

Inquiries about the SWDH mobile vaccination team available free of charge to businesses or events within SWDH’s jurisdiction can be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (MST) except for observed holidays.

Information Resources

• For more information about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, speak with your child’s pediatrician or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locator https://vaccines.gov
• SWDH COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/#Vaccine

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Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rabid bats found in Canyon County; health officials urge caution around all bats

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Two bats found at separate locations in Canyon County have tested positive for rabies according to Southwest District Health officials. One bat was found on the ground, alive, outside of an apartment complex. The other bat was found dead on the ground in a resident’s yard. Bats are the only natural hosts for the virus in Idaho and should always be avoided. No area of the state is considered rabies-free. While most bats do not carry rabies, we do see reports of rabies positive bats from March through November each year. Public health officials do see an uptick in exposure calls from late August through September when Idaho bats are often migrating. In 2020, there were 17 bats that tested positive for rabies in the state of Idaho. These 2 new positive bats bring the number of rabies positive bats to 13 so far this year for the state of Idaho. For more information on rabies data in the state of Idaho please visit Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s page on rabies: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/rabies.

The most common ways people may encounter a bat is when a pet finds a bat in the yard, brings one into the home or a bat enters a home through a small opening or open windows or doors. People may also wake up to find a bat in the room and cannot be sure they were bitten or not while they slept. Whenever possible, a bat found in an area (inside or outside) where people or pets may have been exposed should be captured and submitted for rabies testing. Specific steps for collecting a bat for testing can be found outlined in a video produced by The Idaho Department of Fish and Game: https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2017/06/i-found-bat-my-home-what-do-i-do

To protect yourself and your pets, public health officials recommend these guidelines:

• Never handle a bat with your bare hands.
• If you have had any direct contact (especially if you have been bitten or scratched) with a bat or wake up to find
  a bat in your room, safely capture the bat while wearing thick gloves and then seek medical advice immediately. To capture a bat safely, follow Idaho Department of Fish and Games step by step instructions found here:
  https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/tips-safely-removing-bat-your-house. Once the bat is safely contained, call your local
  Department of Fish and Game office to discuss next steps.
• Call your local public health district about testing a bat for rabies. If it is determined that you or your pet may be
  at risk of rabies, the bat can be tested for free through the state public health laboratory.
• If you must handle a bat, always wear thick gloves.
• If you find a bat outdoors on the ground away from any kind of roost that appears to be weak, sick or injured,
  and unable to fly, do not handle the bat with bare hands. Make sure the bat is safe from people, pets, and natural
  predators then contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for guidance.
• If the bat is alive, follow the safe handling steps from The Idaho Department of Fish and Game mentioned in the
  above. Once safely contained, call your local Department of Fish and Game.
• If the bat is dead, the bat should be safely handled with gloves and double-bagged and sealed in clear plastic
  bags. Once complete, call Southwest District Health Environmental Health Division.
• Never put a live bat in a freezer to kill it.
• Contact your local Idaho Department of Fish and Game office about bat-proofing your home. Maintain tightfitting screens on windows.
• Vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses. Even indoor pets risk exposure to rabies if a bat gets into a home.
  Household pets and other animals can also be exposed to the virus by playing with sick bats that can no longer fly normally.
• Teach your children to avoid bats and to let an adult know if they find one.
  

Without the proper medical management, rabies is a fatal viral illness. People should call their healthcare providers promptly if they believe they may have been bitten or scratched by a bat. Medical therapy administered to people after an animal bite or other exposure is extremely effective in preventing rabies.

For more information about rabies, call your local public health district or visit:

• Idaho Health and Welfare rabid animal counts https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/DiseasesConditions/RabiesInformation/tabid/176/Default.aspx.
• CDC: Talk to your kids about bats https://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/
• CDC: Bats and Rabies https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/
• Idaho Department of Fish and Game: Protect people, protect bats and avoid rabies https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/protect-people-protect-bats-and-avoid-rabies

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Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New COVID-19 data collection tool launched

CALDWELL, IDAHO – COVID-19 incidence rates across the six-county region Southwest District Health (SWDH) serves remain high and hospital systems are seeing the impact. Southwest District Health serves Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties.

Since late July 2021, all counties in SWDH were categorized by the CDC as having high levels of community transmission. As of September 15, 2021, the district-wide COVID-19 incidence rate is 6.80 daily new cases per 10,000 residents and the most current test positivity rate is 18.35%.

A new tool in the fight against COVID-19: Self-report your COVID-19 experience

The combination of a sharp increase in COVID-19 positive cases and limited staffing has created a significant backlog in COVID-19 case investigations. Southwest District Health attempts to contact each new case to learn about their exposure, illness, treatment, and outcome. This core function of local public health is done to monitor disease trends in a community, provide data that can inform decisions, and communicate risks and prevention messages. The ideal outcome of SWDH’s work is to limit the spread of diseases within our community that often cause lasting disability or premature death.

Southwest District Health will be asking individuals with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test to use a secure online form to share their COVID-19 experience. The form asks the same questions our disease investigators would go through, but due to our current situation, we are unable to contact every new case in a timely manner. This means that SWDH is not able to communicate important information about COVID-19 and is not able to collect essential information that when compiled with all other new cases, provides crucial information about severity of illness among specific populations (e.g., age group, occupation, ethnicity, etc.), exposure, vaccination breakthrough, and hospitalization.

Southwest District Health encourages residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to notify those they have been in close contact with up to two days prior to developing symptoms or testing positive. Since August 2021, SWDH has averaged over 150 daily reported new cases of COVID-19. Due to the number of new cases being reported each day, SWDH is unable to make timely contact and notification to close contacts. Close contacts should isolate at home for 14 days to help reduce the spread of the virus in our community.

“We are on a very concerning trajectory. Our hospitals are full, and we anticipate the situation will worsen before it improves. Southwest District Health is making every effort to provide accurate and timely data and information to our community, schools, businesses, and elected officials, but we cannot keep up with the current pace of new cases being reported each day. Our community can help us by making the decision to get vaccinated, staying home when sick, avoiding the emergency department unless it is necessary, and assisting Southwest District Health by providing timely information following a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test,” said Nikki Zogg, District Director.

Please call the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center 208-455-5411 to book your vaccine appointment or schedule a COVID-19 test. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (MDT) except for observed holidays. Community members are encouraged to visit the SWDH COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage for helpful vaccine resources.

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Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Troubling Data Trends on Youth Behavioral Health in Southwest Idaho

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Data showing troubling trends amongst youth behavioral health were shared by Southwest District Health (SWDH) Director, Nikole Zogg, and SWDH Senior Data Analyst, Rachel Pollreis, during the Board of Health meeting held Tuesday, August 24. Information presented to Board members included behavioral health trends, data, current program updates, and the future of behavioral health initiatives in Idaho with an emphasis on youth behavioral health in the Southwest Idaho area. Concerns about the potential behavioral health impacts to youth throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a concern voiced by current board members and members of the public in recent months. 

The full presentation may be found in the August 24, 2021 Board of Health Meeting Packet. Data highlights from the presentation titled Domestic Violence, Self-Harm, and Abuse Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Wellbeing, are as follows: 

• 10x as many abuse-related injuries in SWDH’s six-county region reported in 2020 relative to 2019. These are small numbers, going from 1 to 10; however, we know many cases go unreported. 90% of reports in 2020 were among children under the age of 20 years. 
• 25% increase in the number of intentional self-harm injuries among children and adults treated in Idaho hospitals from 2019 to 2020. 
• Increase in rate of domestic violence victims requiring medical attention in Canyon County. 
• Thus far, in 2021, the number of people seeking resources from Advocates Against Family Violence has nearly matched 2020.  
• The number of unhoused people seeking resources from Advocates Against Family Violence doubled in the first five months of 2021 relative to 2020 (12 months).  

“The data are showing us that youth are being significantly impacted by the events that have transpired over the last 24 months. While we cannot change the events of the past, we can build better support systems that equip our youth with tools necessary to develop into thriving young adults. Access to prevention and treatment resources are limited in many of our rural areas and fragmented across our community. We can do better. With the support of the Board of Health, Southwest District Health is committing to engage community partners to fill these gaps, build resiliency, and help our upcoming generations achieve better health.” Said Nikki Zogg, District Director. 

Board members also heard updates on the Idaho Behavioral Health Council Strategic Plan, presented by Gene Petty, Third Judicial District Court Judge and the SWDH Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) and Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visiting programs, which are designed to build resilience among young families in our community.  Parents as Teachers is a free program available to families living in Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties. Parents as Teachers helps guide parents through early learning stages and gives them tools for success. Nurse Family Partnership provides eligible first-time Canyon County moms with access to home visiting nurses and helps transform lives. Ongoing home visits from registered nurses provide these first-time moms with the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, tools to provide responsible and competent care for their children, and resources to become economically self-sufficient.  

For adults 18 years and older experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises, the Western Idaho Community Crisis Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for walk-in and telehealth services. The center provides immediate, compassionate care, resources to promote recovery, and first steps to stability. The center may be reached at 208-402-1044 or visit in-person at 524 Cleveland Blvd., Suite 160, Caldwell, ID 83605. 

The SWDH Board of Health meetings are held monthly and live-streamed via YouTube for public viewing. The meeting recordings are also hosted and available for later viewing at www.youtube.com/southwestdistricthealth. The presentations and board proceedings may be viewed at any time.

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Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Human West Nile Virus Case Identified in Canyon County

Health Officials Encourage Taking Precautions                

CALDWELL, IDAHO – West Nile virus has been confirmed in a Canyon County resident. This is the first 2021 human case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the counties served by Southwest District Health.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person-to-person. Most people (8 out of 10) infected with the virus do not show symptoms, although more severe symptoms may occur, especially in individuals older than 60. People with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring 2 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

“About one in 150 people infected with WNV develop severe illness such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord),” said Ricky Bowman, Program Manager for Southwest District Health. “These more severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, body aches, disorientation, and tremors, and may require hospitalization” he said.

The more time you spend outdoors, the higher your chances are that you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. To reduce your risk of contracting WNV you should:

• If possible, avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and feeding. If you must be outside at dawn or dusk, take precautions such as wearing long sleeves, pants, and loose-fitting clothing.
• Use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredients, such as DEET or Picaridin (Follow manufacturers’ instructions on the label) when outside. In addition, certain products containing permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear.
• Insect-proof your home by making sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by draining standing water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels, pool covers, and wading pools.
• Avoid over-irrigating your lawns, gardens, or pastures.
• Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths and watering troughs at least twice weekly.
• Drill holes in tire swings or old tires so water drains out.
• Get your horses vaccinated against West Nile.

WNV does not usually affect domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, but it can cause severe illness in horses and certain bird species. There is no human vaccine available but there are vaccines available for horses. People are advised to vaccinate their horses to protect them against WNV.

For more information on WNV please visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at cdc.gov/westnile
• Idaho West Nile virus information and surveillance summary at http://www.westnile.idaho.gov/
• Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District at https://canyoncountymosquito.com/
• Southwest District Health Epidemiology at https://swdh.id.gov/healthy-living/epidemiology/

For more information on insect repellents, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents

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Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov