Anne Arundel County Department Of Health Announces Beginning Of 2019 Wet Season Perc Testing

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is currently scheduling appointments for this year’s wet season percolation testing. Applications for mound sewage disposal systems must be received and testing must be performed by Saturday, March 16. All other system applications must be received and scheduled by Friday, March 29.

Annual wet season testing is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Prior to March 16, priority will be given where mound testing is expected. For an application and information on perc testing, visit www.aahealth.org and click “Wet Season Percolation Testing” under “In the News,” or call the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Bureau at 410-222-7193. Completed applications are accepted at the Anne Arundel County Permit Center, 2664 Riva Road, in Annapolis.

The county’s wet season test period is determined with data from monitoring wells that are part of a network used by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Properties in areas of the county where high water table conditions are expected require testing during this season. The highest water table conditions are typically during February, March and April.

Wet season testing provides an accurate assessment of a septic system’s ability to work year-round. The information provided by the site evaluation and perc test is used to determine the size and type of septic system that can be installed on a specific lot. In some cases, due to adverse soil or groundwater conditions, a property may only be developed when public sewer is available.

Department of Health Provides Information On Gastroenteritis (Stomach Virus)

Gastroenteritis is an illness of the stomach and intestines, often caused by a virus. Some gastroenteritis infections tend to occur during the cooler months of the year (October to April).

Although some people refer to gastroenteritis as the “stomach flu,” it is not the same as influenza or the flu, which is a respiratory illness. Information about gastroenteritis, including symptoms, treatment and prevention, is available at www.aahealth.org. Click on “Gastroenteritis” under “In the News.”

The symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, low-grade fever, chills, muscle aches, headache and tiredness. Symptoms usually begin about 24 to 48 hours after infection but can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. People with gastroenteritis are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least three days after recovery. Gastroenteritis can be spread easily from person to person.

The Department of Health offers these tips to help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis:

• Stay home while sick.
• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet visits, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully wash fruit and vegetables, and cook oysters and shellfish before eating them.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with the virus after an episode of illness. Use hot water and soap.
• Flush or discard any vomit or stool in the toilet, and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

For more information on communicable diseases and Department of Health services, visit www.aahealth.org.

Department Of Health Holds Opioid Overdose Response Training

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is offering free training to community members on the use of intranasal naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose and prevent death.

Trainees will receive a free naloxone nasal kit to administer to victims of opioid overdose.

Who Should Attend?

• At-risk individuals, family members, friends and associates of someone who is using and at risk for overdosing on heroin or prescription pain medications. Teens under 18 may take the training if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Staff of treatment programs, recovery services and transitional housing.
• Anyone working with the public.

What Will I Learn?

Training will incorporate the following information:

• What an opioid is.
• How to recognize, respond to and prevent an opioid overdose.
• How to administer the naloxone intranasally.
• Information about the Good Samaritan Law, treatment, and recovery services and family support.

What Is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a prescription medication that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. It cannot be used to get “high” and is not addictive.

How to Register

To register, call the naloxone training line at 410-222-1937 Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm.

3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis
10:00am - 11:00am
Tuesday, February 5
Tuesday, March 12

122 North Langley Road, Glen Burnie
10:00am - 11:00am
Thursday, January 17
Thursday, February 7
Thursday, March 7