Precautions to avoid animal-borne diseases
San Juan Basin Health Department reminds residents as summer approaches, so does the risk of contracting certain animal-borne diseases, such as rabies, West Nile virus, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, plague and Colorado tick fever.
All of these diseases can be carried by various animals and insects and transmitted to humans. These infections also are more common during warm weather months when humans and animals are more frequently in close contact.
The health department recommends people control the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around their homes, and when heading outdoors, particularly to areas where wild animals and insects are active, wear insect repellent, appropriate clothing and protect pets from fleas and ticks.
People should not handle or feed wild animals, especially those appearing sick, and they should not pick up dead animals or animal waste. Children should be told to follow the same precautions.
For more information, visit www.sjbhd.org, www.cdphe.state.co.us or www.cdc.gov.
Blood drives begin next month in the area
United Blood Services will host these blood drives:
1 to 5 p.m. June 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gym, 1700 E. Empire, Cortez.
Noon to 5 p.m. June 5 at the First Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez.
1:30 to 6 p.m. June 5 in the La Plata Electric Building Board Room, 45 Stewart, Durango.
2:30 to 6 p.m. June 6 at the Dove Creek Community Center, 403 W. Seventh St., Dove Creek.
1 to 6 p.m. June 10 at the old United Blood Services Office, 146 Sawyer Drive, Durango.
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 11 in the Bloodmobile at Morehart Murphy, 33 Parker Ave., Durango.
9 a.m. to noon June 11 in the Bloodmobile at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango.
2:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 12 at the CrossRoad Christian Fellowship, 1044 Park Ave., Pagosa Springs.
4:30 to 8 p.m. June 12 in the Bayfield Latter Day Saints Church gym, 876 County Road 316, Ignacio.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13 at the old United Blood Services Office, 146 Sawyer Drive, Durango.
2 to 5 p.m. June 13 in the Bloodmobile at The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango.
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 in the Bloodmobile at the Cortez Walmart, 1835 Main St., Cortez.
1 to 6 p.m. June 19 in the old United Blood Services Office, 146 Sawyer Drive, Durango.
3 to 6 p.m. June 20 in the Bloodmobile at Walmart, 1155 South Camino del Rio, Durango.
9 a.m. to noon June 21 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 Hilltop Circle, Durango.
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 23 in the Vida Peabody Conference Room, 14324 Colorado Highway 172, Ignacio.
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 24 in the Bloodmobile at Kinder Morgan, 17801 Colorado Highway 491, Cortez.
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 24 in the Bloodmobile at the Cortez Fire Protection District, 330 N. Ash St., Cortez.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 25 and 26 at the Leonard Burch Building in the Buckskin Charlie Room, 356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio.
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 27 in the Mercury Payment System Multi-Use Room, 10 Burnett Court, Durango.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28 at the old United Blood Services Office, 146 Sawyer Drive, Durango.
To donate, call (877) 827-4376 or visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org.
For more information, call (888) 804-9913, ext. 1000.
Heart Safe La Plata offers CPR classes
Heart Safe La Plata will offer these CPR classes at the Durango Fire Protection District training room, 142 Sheppard Drive:
Adult CPR/AED course will take place at 6 p.m. June 5. This course will cost $50 and provides a two-year certification.
CPR PRO for Healthcare Professional will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. June 12. This course covers adult, child and infant CPR.
Online CPR and first-aid training is available to the community. Take the course on a home computer, schedule the hands on skills portion, and receive a two-year certification. The cost is $50.
Instructors are available to teach at businesses or organizations.
For more information, visit heartsafelaplata.org or call J. T. Coyne at 769-7473.
Herald Staff
