The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older against influenza as soon as the vaccine becomes available. The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness, and the CDC states the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated each year.

“Every flu season is different, and we recommend you receive a flu vaccine regardless of whether you had one last year,” Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said. “The CDC warns that even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.”

Influenza vaccination is especially recommended for the following people who are at higher risk of influenza-related complications.

ADMH is once again leading Alabama’s celebration of National Recovery Month. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Recovery Month seeks to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The observance celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery is possible.

As of 2010, 45.9 million Americans aged 18 or older had mental illnesses in the past year, and about 11.4 million of those adults had serious mental illnesses. Additionally, 22.1 million Americans aged 12 or older were classified with substance use disorders in the past year. About half of individuals with severe mental illnesses are also affected by substance abuse, a condition known as having a co-occurring disorder.

The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions the public to protect themselves from West Nile virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). Eight confirmed cases of WNV have been reported in Alabama to date this season, and additional suspected cases will be investigated statewide.

When a person is infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment for these illnesses can substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to WNV will die.