About Summertime Safety | Understanding Hepatitis | CDC 2025 National Progress Report on Viral Hepatitis | Hepatitis Resources | HVHD News and Updates | HVHD Events | Recipe Highlight
Summertime Safety!
Tips for Safe and Healthy Summertime Work and Play
- Travel abroad safely: Before traveling abroad, check out health and safety risks at your destination. Get needed vaccinations at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave to ensure you’re protected by the time you travel.
- Swim safely: Swimming is a great summer activity, but the water can pose risks. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and others from swimming-related illnesses and injuries at all types of recreational water venues, like pools and natural bodies of water.
- Young worker safety and health: Young workers (ages 15–24) have higher rates of job-related injury compared to adult workers. To help keep young workers safe at their summer jobs, CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is participating in the social media campaign, #MySafeSummerJob,to provide workplace safety and health information and resources to employers of youth, young workers, parents, and educators.
- Beat the heat and rays: Heat kills more than 600 people in the United States each year. Preventing heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion, is important for people of all ages, but extreme heat poses the greatest risk for people under age 4 and over 65, and anyone who has a pre-existing medical condition or who lives in a home without air conditioning. The best ways to protect yourself from heat include staying cool, hydrated, and informed: find air-conditioning during hot hours and wear cool clothing, drink plenty of liquids, and pay attention to heat advisories.
Unprotected skin can be burned by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes but can take up to 12hours for the skin to show the damage. CDC recommends staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when its UV rays are at their highest level. Sunscreen is recommended for anyone working and playing outside in the summer, even on cloudy days. Hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves are also recommended for outdoors activities.
8. Insect protection: Protect yourself and your family from insect bites by using Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET. Apply repellents only to exposed skin or clothing, as directed on the product label and always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children. Visit HVHD’s website for information regarding ticks.
5. Children’s health and safety: Summer activities, such as riding a bike and playground time, are great for a child’s development. To keep kids healthy and safe all summer long, be sure children use helmets that fit well while riding their bikes and follow playground safety tips from CDC’s website. Parents should ensure children stay safe while traveling in cars. Children should be properly buckled in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt —whichever is appropriate for their weight, height, and age — on every trip.
6. Stay up to date on vaccines: Making sure your child is up to date on vaccines is key to protecting them against serious diseases throughout their life. The summer is a great time to make appointments for your child to get recommended vaccines or to catch up on vaccines they might have missed when they were younger. CDC’s recommended immunization schedule is safe and effective at protecting your child from 14 infectious diseases like measles, chickenpox, and rubella.
7. Food safety: Food poisoning peaks during summer months due to warmer temperatures, which can let foodborne germs thrive. Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. CDC also has advice for food safety when grilling.
Understanding Hepatitis: Why It Matters
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, alcohol use, toxins, or certain medical conditions. In the U.S., the most common types are Hepatitis A, B, and C, each with different transmission routes, health risks, and prevention strategies. Chronic Hepatitis B and C can lead to serious liver damage, cancer, and even death — often without symptoms until the disease is advanced.
According to the CDC, an estimated 2.4 million people in the U.S. are living with Hepatitis C, and many don’t know they are infected.
Know the Types of Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated food or water; preventable with a vaccine.
- Hepatitis B: Spread through blood, semen, or other bodily fluids; preventable with a vaccine.
- Hepatitis C: Spread primarily through blood (e.g., sharing needles); no vaccine but curable with treatment.
📈 Key Findings: CDC 2025 National Progress Report on Viral Hepatitis
CDC Releases 2025 Viral Hepatitis Progress Report
The CDC has released the 2025 Viral Hepatitis National Progress Report, tracking the nation’s progress toward eliminating hepatitis A, B, and C as public health threats. The report shows significant improvements, including a 91% decrease in hepatitis A incidence from 2019 to 2022 and a continued increase in hepatitis B vaccination coverage among infants. However, challenges remain, particularly in reducing new hepatitis C infections. The report underscores the importance of continued investment in testing, treatment, and prevention—especially among disproportionately affected populations.
Take Action: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
- ✅ Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B
- 🧪 Get tested for Hepatitis B and C, especially if you are:
- Born between 1945–1965
- Have ever injected drugs
- Have a history of incarceration
- Were born in counties with high hepatitis prevalence
- 🧑⚕️ Talk to your provider about testing and treatment options
- 🧼 Practice good hygiene and avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
Hepatitis Resources
| CDC Hepatitis Resources Hepatitis Testing Locator Hepatitis B Foundation American Liver Foundation Connecticut Department of Public Health – Viral Hepatitis Program |
HVHD Service Spotlights
Emergency Preparedness Spotlight: Hurricane Season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts for the 2025 season an above-average Atlantic hurricane season with a 60% chance of this occurring. NOAA has forecasted 13-19 named storms of which 6-10 are expected to become hurricanes including 3-5 major hurricanes. Although the probability of a major hurricane directly impacting Connecticut is relatively low, it is still important to be prepared. Go to Ready.gov for hurricane tips and what to do to get prepared.
Environmental Health Spotlight: Water Quality
Last month, HVHD partnered with experts from CT DEEP and RCAP Solutions to host a webinar titled “Water Quality and Your Private Well”. The webinar included information on a variety of topics including well types and construction, water testing, septic maintenance, and PFAS. Click on the link below to access a recording of the webinar:
Environmental Health Spotlight: Air Quality
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided a scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI) for rating air quality. This scale is based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The AQI forecast is updated once daily, excluding weekends and holidays. Alternatively, you may call the Air Quality Index Hotline at (800) 249-1234 or (860) 424-4167 for the forecast or link to Airnow.gov for the most current air quality information.
Air Quality Index: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/air/forecasting/aqi/air-quality-index
The AQI includes six color-coded categories, each corresponding to a range of index values. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.
For each pollutant an AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to an ambient air concentration that equals the level of the short-term national ambient air quality standard for protection of public health. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher.
The AQI is divided into six categories. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. Each category also has a specific color. The color makes it easy for people to quickly determine whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities.
Public Health Updates:
HVHD is going digital!
HVHD is going digital! Click here to complete your forms and applications online through our new process.
H5N1 Avian Flu Update: What to Know:
- H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
- While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
- CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people.
National situation summary:
- Person-to-person spread: None- there is no person-to-person spread at this time
- Current public health risk: Low- the current public health risk is low
- Cases in the United States: 70 cases
- Deaths in the United States: 1 death
Click here to learn more…
HVHD Events: July 2025
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Join HVHD’s Community Health Team on July 3rd from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Grace Meadows for a program on staying safe this summer. Topics include be sun […] |
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Join HVHD’s Community Health Team on Wednesday, July 9th from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the New Milford Senior Center for a program on staying safe this summer. Topics […] |
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Join HVHD’s Community Health Team on July 17th from1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the Oxford Senior Center for a program on staying safe this summer. Topics include be sun […] |
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Join HVHD’s Community Health Team on July 18th from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the Woodbury Senior Center for a program on staying safe this summer. Topics include be […] |
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Recipe Highlight: Fruity Oatmeal Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients
Servings: 4 | Serving Size: 1 parfait
2 cups fresh or frozen sliced hulled strawberries, thawed and patted dry if frozen (see Tip below)
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries or fresh or frozen halved blackberries, or a combination, thawed and patted dry if frozen (see Tip below)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
2 cups nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
Directions
In a medium bowl, gently stir together the strawberries, blueberries, honey, and cinnamon.
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and oats to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In each parfait glass, layer: 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup fruit mixture, 1/4 cup yogurt, and 1/4 cup fruit mixture. Repeat the layers.
