Page 304 - BOXFORD

Tick-borne infections (Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Ehrlichiosis) totaled six which
was two fewer cases than 2014.All six were revoked because they did not meet the
clinical definition for the infection.
Enteric infections included Campylobacter, Salmonella and Cryptosporidiosis. There
were nine cases in 2015. These cases were part of a possible clustering of infectious
disease nationwide. DPH is still trying to identify if there was a common source of
infection in these individuals. They requested we (along with several other health
departments) conduct additional investigation beyond the case report form. As requested,
we completed extended multi-state cluster questionnaires that looked at multiple factors
including food shopping habits, eating habits, attendance at events food was served and
more.
Lyme – follow-up is conducted by the providers. There were 45 total cases. Of these, six
were confirmed, 4 were probable, 1 was revoked and 34 were suspect. This number is
HIGHER than 2014 and bears watching.
Influenza – As of this report, there are twelve confirmed cases of influenza from October
2015 through December 31, 2015. Compared with last year the number remains the same.
Pertussis – One case reported.. Post-exposure prophylaxis was recommended for
household contacts. .
Chronic Hepatitis C (five cases) and Chronic Hepatitis B 2o cases). Cases received
follow-up by physicians. There were no acute cases of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C this
year.

FALL PREVENTION

The VNA Care Network secured private foundation funding and implemented a seven
week fall prevention program at Four Mile Village for elders in 2015 There was no cost
to the Town for program implementation. The program included talks, screenings and
exercise to help keep seniors healthy and prevent falls from occurring. Feedback was
highly positive. Individual session would be happy to provide this program in 2016, at
the Boxford COA and/or the fire department as previous..

PUBLICITY
The clinics are advertised on an on-going basis in the Salem Evening News, Tri-town
Transcript, Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Boston Globe North Weekly Section, and Boxford
Council on Aging Newsletter. Information is also dispersed at Health Fairs and in
internal publications such as patient admission folders, which allows for additional
referral sources. Flyers are also posted at individual clinic sites. Clinic schedules are
listed on our agency web site www.vnacarenetwork.org.

Submitted by:
Beverly Salate RN, BSN
VNA Care Network
Manager, Preventative Health
199 Rosewood Drive
Danvers, MA 01923
1-888-663-3688 ext. 5603

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