The Jasper Newton County Public Health District (JNCPHD) announces that H1N1 clinics will be held in Jasper and Newton counties (Texas) on Saturday, December 19, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Jasper County location is Kirbyville Jasper Newton County Public Health District Office, 205A East Lavielle Street, Kirbyville.

Newton County location is Deweyville Community Center, Spur 82, Deweyville.

Currently available is the Flu-Mist (Live Attenuated Intranasal vaccine) which is sprayed into the nose. This vaccine is for use in non-pregnant healthy persons age 2 – 49. Also, available is the inactivated injectible vaccine for use in persons older than 6 months. As of December 11, 2009, (except for medical reasons) there is no restriction on who can receive the vaccination. The vaccination will be free to residents of Jasper, Newton, Sabine and Tyler counties.

If you have any questions, please go to our clinic locations page and contact one of the Jasper Newton County Public Health District Clinics near you.

The Texas Department of State Health Services ordered a recall today of all oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay after reports that people in two states outside Texas have been sickened by norovirus after consuming the oysters. DSHS has received no reports of the illness in Texas related to these oysters.

Oysters harvested in San Antonio Bay between Nov. 16 and Nov. 25 are included in the recall. Consumers who purchased oysters Nov. 16 or later that have a label showing they came from San Antonio Bay are advised to dispose of the oysters and not eat them. The virus has not
affected other seafood.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms usually include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramping. Symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hours after consuming the oysters and last one to two days. Norovirus typically is not life threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects.
DSHS has received reports that about a dozen people in North Carolina and South Carolina have gotten sick with norovirus after consuming oysters from San Antonio Bay. State health officials in those states, with assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are investigating those cases.

San Antonio Bay is currently closed to the commercial harvesting of oysters.

For the official press release from the DSHS website, follow this link about the Oyster Recall.