http://www.health.ri.gov Department of Health - Press Releases en-us rihelp@egov.com Following the success of the recent pertussis vaccination clinics in Barrington, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) plans to exercise its public health preparedness plans with several cities and towns by opening Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccination clinics. Since it is... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15833 PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Department of Health (HEALTH) are advising people who were in the Kennedy Plaza area on January 23, 2012 at approximately 8:45am be evaluated for possible exposure to rabies. A man described as Latino in his mid 50's,... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15793 The Rhode Department of Health (HEALTH) announces that 100% of the 11,653 Rhode Island infants born in 2011 received a newborn blood-spot screening. This achievement underscores the success of a state public health program that consistently reaches between 99 and 100% of newborns each year. "... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15776 The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is closely monitoring classroom clusters of flu-like illness at Wakefield Elementary School as Rhode Island officially enters peak flu season. HEALTH's laboratory has confirmed some illnesses were caused by the influenza Type A virus, which is among... Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15714 On December 22, HEALTH received a report from a Barrington pediatrician that a student had been diagnosed with pertussis. As of today, there have been 21 cases of pertussis confirmed in Barrington. The number of confirmed cases in Rhode Island is consistent with outbreaks occurring nationally and... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15670 The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) and the Department of Attorney General (RIAG) today announce that the Hospital Conversion Application submitted by Steward Health Care and Landmark Medical Center has been deemed complete. HEALTH and RIAG will now start the formal review and... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15667 Earlier today (January 11) St. Andrew's School in Barrington reported to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) that a vial of mercury had been dropped on a classroom floor in the Brown Science Building on January 10. The... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15615 The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) in conjunction with the Barrington Schools will be hosting a pertussis vaccination clinic for Barrington residents on Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Barrington High School cafeteria, 220 Lincoln Avenue. Anyone Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15604 On December 22, HEALTH received a report from a Barrington pediatrician that a student had been diagnosed with pertussis. After working with Barrington school officials and other healthcare providers, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) has confirmed a total of eight cases of pertussis... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15592 The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises consumers of potential undeclared eggs in certain cases of Laromme brand Vanilla Rugelach. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15584 Today the Department of the Attorney General (AG) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) determined that the hospital conversion application submitted by Steward Health Care System and Landmark Medical Center, and related affiliates, remains incomplete. In an effort to keep this... Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15487 For the fourth consecutive year, the State of Rhode Island has been named to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation's (AAFA) State Honor Roll. AAFA scores each state based on its asthma and allergy policies for schools. Overall, Rhode Island meets 16 of 18 core policy standards and 10 of 15 extra credit Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15468 The Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health (HEALTH) are advising people in the area of Birch Road in Smithfield that an owned pet cat that succumbed while exhibiting signs of rabies has been confirmed positive for rabies. The cat is described as an eight year-old... Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15443 Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announced that the Department is looking for new participants to sit on a number of its boards that license, certify, and discipline a variety of health professionals, facilities, and organizations. Many of these groups (e.g. doctors, nurses,... Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15403 In celebration of National Flu Vaccination Week, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) Director Michael Fine, MD, recognized Lifespan Employee Health and Women & Infants Hospital for their efforts to increase employee influenza vaccination rates in their respective facilities. These... Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15386 Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) presented Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and Dr. Benilda Seballos with a Community Partnership Award. This award is presented to individuals or groups in Rhode Island whose contributions are exceptional and support the mission of Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15385 The Rhode Island Child Death Review Team (CDRT) released its first report featuring state-level data on youth who died by suicide. The Youth Suicide Issue Brief examined suicides by people younger than age 24 from 2005 to 2010. During that period, 77 Rhode Island youths died by suicide and for each Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15329 An event today at the State House celebrated Rhode Island's status as the first state in the nation to eliminate the distribution of free infant formula that is not medically necessary to postpartum women at hospital discharge. During the month of October, Landmark Medical Center and Memorial... Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15308 * Note to Editors: Some media outlets have previously reported an incorrect time for this clinic. Please note the correct time listed below and make corrections accordingly. The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) and the Providence Public School Department will hold a vaccination clinic... Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15252 Friday's date, 11/11/11, is not surprisingly a popular date for special occasions. It is an interesting and unique date to have for a wedding anniversary, but it is, however, not a reason to plan a medically unnecessary C-section. C-sections pose increased health and safety risks for mother and... Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/15203