Baltimore, MD (December 21, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced that through special molecular testing done on blood specimens at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four more Maryland patients infected with Hepatitis C virus were found to have virus closely related to infections linked to David Kwiatkowski, a healthcare worker accused of diverting narcotics for personal use. The four were patients of Johns Hopkins Hospital during the time from July 10, 2009, to January 9, 2010, when Kwiatkowski was placed there by a medical staffing agency. The results are in addition to a previously identified and reported patient of the Baltimore VA Medical Center with closely related virus.

 Baltimore (December 20, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) today announced the launch of Maryland’s Access to Care program. The Access to Care program is designed to foster collaboration between the state, health insurers and safety net providers as each plans for newly insured Marylanders who will start to access healthcare services in 2014. This program is built on the requirement that network plans offered through Maryland Health Connection, the state-based health insurance marketplace, provide meaningful access to critical health services including primary, reproductive, HIV/AIDS and behavioral health care.

 BALTIMORE (December 17, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene today issued a request for public comments on a screening protocol that health care providers can use to help assess whether patients are victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

 Baltimore, MD (November 29, 2012) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Prevention and Health Promotion Administration recognizes December 1 as World AIDS Day, along with the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many local partners.

Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing that’s contagious this time of year. Winter months are prime time for the spread of colds and flu viruses. 

Baltimore -- (November 16, 2012) – Following an 18-month investigation into the safety of baby crib bumper pads, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has published final regulations to ban their sale in Maryland effective June 21, 2013.

 Baltimore, MD ( November 14, 2012) -   Each year since 1977, the American Cancer Society has sponsored the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November to help smokers quit for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever. The 2012 Great American Smokeout will be held tomorrow, November 15.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene knows how hard quitting can be, but there is free help available to residents. The Great American Smokeout is a great reason to pick up the phone and call to the Maryland Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669). 

 ROCKVILLE, MD (November 13, 2012) – At Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today released the 2012 Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Policy Recommendations. The recommendations lay out evidence-based practices to help hospitals eliminate hidden barriers and support new mothers who choose to breastfeed.

 Baltimore, MD (November 5, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced the results of special molecular testing done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a blood specimen from a patient of the Baltimore VA Medical Center with hepatitis C infection. The special testing indicates that the Maryland patient’s infection is closely related to infections linked to David Kwiatkowski, a healthcare worker accused of diverting narcotics for personal use.

 Snow Hill, Md. – The Worcester County Homeless Committee will host a Community Resource Day for homeless people or people at risk of homelessness from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on December 5 at Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 Main St. in Berlin

 Snow Hill, Md. – Kim Klump, a local leader and advocate for suicide prevention, was recognized for her distinctive volunteer efforts and contributions to the community at the annual Maryland Rural Health Association Conference in Solomons Island last week.

 Snow Hill, Md. – Fall in to fitness this November and participate in the inaugural Just Walk Berlin event to be held on Saturday, November 17 at Stephen Decatur Park, Rt. 113 and Tripoli Street, Berlin.  

 Snow Hill, Md. – November 15 is National Great American Smokeout Day.  For individuals thinking about quitting smoking, this may be the best day to do it.  The Great American Smokeout may offer just the support you need by knowing that other smokers are also giving up cigarettes for the day.  

 BALTIMORE, MD (October 19, 2012) - Seasonal influenza has officially hit in Maryland, with four confirmed cases, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced today. The first laboratory-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza have been diagnosed in four children in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region. One of the four was hospitalized, and all four are doing well. Three of the children had type A (H3N2) influenza, while one had type B influenza. Last season, the first confirmed case of influenza was reported on December 30, 2011.

 BALTIMORE, MD (October 15, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) joins federal, state, and local partners around the country in the observance of October 15, 2012 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme is Hispanics United to End AIDS.

Baltimore, MD (October 9, 2012) - Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has earned a top score in public health emergency preparedness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The annual review and evaluation process was conducted earlier this year.

Snow Hill, Md. (Oct. 5, 2012) – The Worcester County Health Department urges all residents age 6 months and older to get vaccinated for the 2012-2013 seasonal flu. 

 BALTIMORE (October 3, 2012) – Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein announced today the appointment of Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph to serve as the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health. In this position, Dr. Jordan-Randolph will provide executive direction to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, the Mental Hygiene Administration, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and Forensic Services.

 BALTIMORE (October 2, 2012) –  During the week of Sept 17, 2012, The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Baltimore County Department of Health began investigating a cluster of three severe invasive Group A Streptococcus  (GAS) infections in persons who recently had liposuction at a cosmetic surgery center, Monarch MedSpa, in Timonium, Maryland. As reported previously, the procedures occurred in mid-August to mid-September. All three patients were hospitalized; one subsequently died. DHMH and Baltimore County ordered the facility closed on September 18. 

BALTIMORE (September 28, 2012) – Tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Marylanders will have another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host events for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 

 Snow Hill, Md. – The Worcester County Homeless Committee will host a Community Resource Day for homeless people or people at risk of homelessness from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on October 19 Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean City.

(Baltimore) September 21, 2012 -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is currently advising consumers not to consume or purchase Trader Joe’s brand Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt because of a potential link to a Salmonella outbreak. Other Trader Joe’s brand peanut butter products may also be affected. Out of an abundance of caution, consumers should consider setting aside and not consuming all Trader Joe’s brand peanut butter products while the investigation continues.

BALTIMORE (September 21, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is seeking public comment related to Bisphenol-A in infant formula containers. This request follows submission of a report to the General Assembly on the findings of federal research and regulatory activities related to BPA

 BALTIMORE, MD (September 18, 2012)— Maryland seniors go to the emergency room for falls more than any other type of injury according to Health Service Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) hospital discharge data, says the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). To highlight this preventable cause of injury, Governor Martin O’Malley has designated September 16-22 Fall Prevention Awareness Week in Maryland.

 BALTIMORE (September 17, 2012) – This week is Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, and with this season’s increase in school and extracurricular activities, Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (KISS) wants to take the opportunity to provide safety tips for car-pool drivers. 

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) joins The AIDS Institute, Older Women Embracing Life (OWEL),  the  Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore City Senior Centers, and Johns Hopkins AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) in recognizing September 18, 2012 as National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD). This year’s theme is “Aging is a part of life: HIV doesn’t have to be.”

 BALTIMORE (September 14, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently collected comments on regulations for minors using tanning devices.

 BALTIMORE (September 13, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is requesting informal comments from the public on proposed changes to regulations for summer youth camps.  The Maryland Youth Camp Act (Health-General Article, §§14 401—14-411, Annotated Code of Maryland) and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.16.06 establish the regulatory framework for summer youth camps.  The Department is proposing to look at the following questions:

 BALTIMORE (September 12, 2012) – With just over half of the surveillance season for West Nile virus behind us, 25 cases have been detected in Maryland residents, including two fatalities. The cases have been found in 13 counties; all of the infected individuals have been adults.

 Baltimore, MD (September 11, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and local health departments are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public health officials in several other states to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.  There have been no deaths, although the three Maryland cases currently identified with this outbreak have been hospitalized. 

 BALTIMORE (September 11, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking public comments related to the management of childhood lead exposure in light of recent revisions by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to guidelines for childhood lead poisoning.

 BALTIMORE (September 7, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking public comment on a voluntary industry performance specification recently adopted for baby infant bedding, including crib bumpers, by ASTM International.

 BALTIMORE (September 6, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) recognizes September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and will be providing education to employees and health care providers about sickle cell disease (SCD), as well as participating in community events. 

 BALTIMORE, MD (September 5, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today kicked off Maryland’s recognition of National Recovery Month at an event at Spring Grove Hospital Center in Catonsville to recognize that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. Recovery Month is a national observance which promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for mental and substance use disorders. Recovery Month “celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and recovery support service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all forms is possible”.

 Baltimore, MD (September 4, 2012) -  Healthiest Maryland Businesses, in partnership with the MidAtlantic Business Group on Health, is offering a series of free Health Reform/Healthy Business Forums for businesses around the state, with the first one on Friday, September 21, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Allegany County Health Department.

 BALTIMORE (August 31, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed August 31, 2012, Overdose Prevention Awareness Day in Maryland, acknowledging that, despite a decline in recent years in overdose deaths in the State, Maryland still faces challenges in combating overdose deaths, particularly those resulting from prescription drug abuse.

 BALTIMORE (August 31, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed August 31, 2012, Overdose Prevention Awareness Day in Maryland, acknowledging that, despite a decline in recent years in overdose deaths in the State, Maryland still faces challenges in combating overdose deaths, particularly those resulting from prescription drug abuse.

 Snow Hill, Md. – Health officials of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties advise residents to take measures to protect themselves from West Nile virus in light of increased activity nationwide.

BALTIMORE (August 17, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has identified the influenza virus strain influenza A (H3N2v), in six Queen Anne’s County residents (five children and one adult) who had direct contact with pigs. In addition, the Maryland Department of Agriculture identified influenza A with a similar testing pattern in pigs from four Queen Anne’s County farms with which the sick people had contact. The pig testing is preliminary and will be confirmed by additional testing. H3N2v is the same virus strain that has been found recently in a number of other states.

 Baltimore, MD ( August 17, 2012)- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and health care partners throughout the country in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). The national pertussis (also known as whooping cough) epidemic highlights the relevance of immunization awareness.  

 BALTIMORE, MD (August 10, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced that an adult in Central Maryland is the State’s first confirmed case of symptomatic West Nile virus (WNV) infection in 2012. West Nile virus was also detected in a pool of mosquitoes collected in Montgomery County by the U.S. Department of Defense. A mosquito pool is a group of mosquitoes collected at one of several trap sites across the State.

 Ocean City, Md. – Suicide is the fourth leading cause of premature death in Worcester County. Nationwide, a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming more than 34,000 lives each year.

 Baltimore, MD – July 20, 2012 - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has been notified that a hepatitis C-infected health care worker, David Matthew Kwiatkowski, who was arrested in New Hampshire yesterday for illegally obtaining controlled substances and potentially infecting at least 30 individuals with the hepatitis C virus at a hospital in New Hampshire, had previously worked in Maryland from 2008-2010. 

 Snow Hill, Md. – Get fit, lose weight, and improve your health with a free 16-week program offered Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m., beginning Aug. 20 at the Worcester County Health Department, 6040 Public Landing Road in Snow Hill.

 Snow Hill, Md. – Worcester County Health Officer Debbie Goeller is pleased to announce the appointment of Debra Stevens as director of the health department’s Community Health Program.