Category: News

DPH Announces Third Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2021

Posted on by Kate Smith

DOVER (Nov. 2, 2021) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today that a 87-year-old Kent County woman has become infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), making it the state’s third case of human WNV in 2021. The woman indicated no travel history that could have led to transmission, meaning she contracted WNV in Delaware. To protect the patient’s privacy, DPH will not provide additional information on this case.  WNV is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause serious health problems. WNV is transmitted by mosquitoes, generally in summer and fall, with a peak period for disease transmissions from mid-August Read More …

First Flu Cases of the Season

Posted on by Kate Smith

DELAWARE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRM FIRST TWO FLU CASES OF THE 2021-2022 SEASON, INCLUDING FIRST PEDIATRIC CASE DOVER (NOV. 1, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the state’s first two laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza for the 2021-2022 flu season, including the first pediatric case of the season. The cases involve a Kent County child under the age of 5, infected with influenza strain B, who was hospitalized, as well as a 26-year-old Sussex County woman, with influenza strain A, who was not hospitalized. Neither individual had received the flu vaccine. “This first case of the flu is Read More …

DPH Advises Vaccine Providers to Offer Booster Doses for All Three COVID-19 Vaccine Brands to Eligible Delawareans

Posted on by Kate Smith

“Mix and match” booster approach available to those interested DOVER (OCT. 22, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Delaware’s vaccine providers can begin administering booster doses for vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to certain populations that have been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine received booster authorization last month. DPH is also advising that any of the three authorized vaccines can be administered to qualifying individuals as a booster in a “mix and match” approach to the vaccine originally received. This decision comes after Read More …

DPH Announces Second Human Case of West Nile Virus and First Case Detected in a Horse for 2021

Posted on by Kate Smith

DOVER (Oct. 8, 2021) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today that a 79-year-old Sussex County woman has become infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), the state’s second case of human WNV in 2021. An epidemiological investigation is currently ongoing to confirm any travel history or sources that could have led to transmission. To protect the patient’s privacy, no more information will be provided on the individual at this time. “As mosquito season continues through the fall months, it is important for everyone to take proper precautions when going outdoors in an environment where mosquitoes are prevalent,” said Read More …

DPH Advises Vaccine Providers to Offer Pfizer Booster to Eligible Delawareans

Posted on by Kate Smith

PRIORITY TO Seniors, lONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS AND THOSE AT RISK of severe COVID-19  DOVER (SEPT. 24, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the state’s vaccine providers can begin administering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to certain populations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally voted to expand the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow for a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be administered for certain populations six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Boosters are Read More …

Stray cat in New Castle Tests Positive for Rabies

Posted on by Kate Smith

DOVER, DE (Sept. 15, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising residents who live or spend time in the vicinity between West Ninth Street and West Third Street near Battery Park in New Castle of a positive case of rabies in a stray cat that came into contact with four individuals and a dog recently. The cat was tested for rabies, which returned positive results on Sept. 9, 2021. The individuals who came in contact with the cat have all begun treatment for rabies exposure. Anyone who thinks they may have been bitten, scratched, or come in Read More …

FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS REPORTED IN DELAWARE SINCE 2018

Posted on by Kate Smith

DOVER (September 3, 2021) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today that a 69-year-old Kent County man has become infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), the state’s first case of human WNV since 2018, when 10 human WNV cases were reported, including two deaths from the illness. An epidemiological investigation is currently ongoing to confirm any travel history or sources that could have led to transmission. To protect the patient’s privacy, no more information will be provided on the individual at this time. “We’re sad to learn that a case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Read More …

Gov. Carney Declares August Immunization Awareness Month in Delaware

Posted on by Kate Smith

On Friday, August 20, 2021, Governor John Carney declared August Immunization Awareness Month in Delaware. The Governor encouraged all Delaware families to vaccinate their children according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to fully vaccinate anyone eligible against COVID-19.  August is National Immunization Awareness Month. 

Updated COVID-19 Recommendations

Posted on by Kate Smith

Dover (Aug. 3, 2020) – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) are providing updates to Delaware’s COVID-19 testing program. COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant. Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild. With COVID-19 cases increasing in the state and nation, and the majority of Read More …

COVID-19 Vaccines and Rare Heart Condition

Posted on by Kate Smith

U.S. scientists said Wednesday that there was a “likely association” between mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and an elevated risk of heart issues in adolescents and young adults, the strongest statement yet on the link between the two. Younger groups, particularly men under 30, have higher rates of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) following vaccination with the shots from Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech. Most cases have occurred soon after the second shot of the two-dose regimens. Read more