Warm Weather Safety

Learn more about issues that affect our health during the summer months.

Cryptosporidiosis
Crypto is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. It is spread by putting something in your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with the feces of a person or animal infected with Cryptosporidium. Symptoms of Crypto include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Learn more.

Heat Illnesses
The combination of high heat and high humidity can be very dangerous. Normally, human beings can tolerate excessive heat through regulatory changes that occur in the body. These changes include sweating, dilation of blood vessels, and an increase in the body chemicals that regulate fluids and salts. When the environmental temperature remains high for extended periods of time, these mechanisms can fail, especially in vulnerable individuals. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Picnic Food Safety
The next time you're packing up the picnic basket or cooler, remember to keep food safety in mind. Learn tips for cooking, storage and serving.

Tanning Regulations
A new Kentucky law requires that the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and local health departments (including the Northern Kentucky Health Department) monitor tanning facilities. The law is designed to protect the public from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause skin cancer, as well as to inform the public about the dangers of tanning. Learn more.

Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and affecting the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. Most often, rabies is spread to humans through the bite of an infected animal. It is possible, but rare, for humans to be exposed to rabies through infected material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, without being bitten. If the saliva gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or wound, infection can occur. Learn more.

Shigella
Shigella is a bacteria that infects the bowels. The Shigella bacteria causes an illness called Shigellosis, which most often occurs in young children. The symptoms of Shigellosis include: diarrhea (may be watery), fever, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting. Shigellosis is spread through contact with the stool of an infected person, and then placing your hands, food or another object contaminated with the bacteria in your mouth. Learn more.

Swimming Pools
Public swimming facilities include beaches; swimming pools, wading pools, wave pools; competition swimming and diving pools; water slides and spray pools; and spas, therapeutic pools, hydrotherapy pools and whirlpools. The Health Department fully inspects indoor pools, which are open continuously, twice a year.  Outdoor pools are fully inspected twice during the season that they are open. Indoor and outdoor pools are also monitored once a month for chemical levels and to make sure they are following proper operating procedures. Pools may be inspected more often, based on problems or complaints. Learn more.

West Nile Virus
In recent years, West Nile virus has emerged in the temperate regions of Europe and North America, including Northern Kentucky. West Nile can be a serious threat to human and animal health. The most serious effect of West Nile is fatal encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain, in humans and horses. West Nile also kills certain species of domestic and wild birds. Learn more.