KDHE

TOPEKA – Kansas is now experiencing widespread influenza activity, with increased influenza cases seen in most regions of the state. Reports of outbreaks in long-term care facilities, schools and day cares have been made to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Five outbreaks have been identified during the 2016-2017 season.

“It is not too late to get your seasonal influenza vaccine,” said Susan Mosier, MD, MBA, FACS, KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “I urge Kansans who have not yet taken this precaution to do so as soon as possible.”

Nationally, this season’s influenza vaccine appears to be a very good match to the circulating influenza viruses.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone six months of age and older. Infants less than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated and are more vulnerable to the complications from influenza. Being vaccinated against influenza is especially important for anyone at high risk of complications and for anyone who is caring for children younger than five years of age. It is also important for persons caring for those with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications.

Symptoms of influenza include fever, dry cough, extreme tiredness and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and dehydration. Influenza may also worsen other chronic conditions.

Depending on the severity of the influenza season, five percent to 20 percent of the population may get influenza each year. During the peak of the 2015-2016 influenza season in Kansas, approximately three percent of all health care visits in clinics were due to influenza-like illness. Influenza or pneumonia contributed to or was the direct cause of 903 deaths among Kansas residents during the 2015-2016 influenza season. Influenza and pneumonia were eighth among leading causes of death in 2015 in Kansas.

Additional ways to avoid spreading influenza include covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze, washing your hands and staying home when you are sick.

For information on receiving the influenza vaccine, please contact your health care provider or your local health department. Please visit www.kdheks.gov/flu for influenza facts.

PRATT ­– As part of the fourth annual Kansas Birding Big Year contest that ended on Dec. 31, 2016, Kansans searched high and low to check bird species off their identification lists in hopes their year-end total would bring them a “win.”

For one lucky Overland Park resident, Malcom Gold, that win came when he topped off his count at 311 unique bird species identified in Kansas before year’s end.

The competition is divided into three age categories: youth (age 18 or younger), adult (age 18-64), and senior (age 65 or older). The adult classification is further organized into three skill levels: novice, intermediate and advanced. Birds are counted from January 1 to December 31 of each year and entered through the website, www.ebird.org, a reporting program housed at Cornell University.

2016 Birding Big Year winners are as follows:

Adult, Advanced

1st– Will Chatfield-Taylor, Lawrence, 306

2nd– Glen Caspers, Topeka, 302

3rd– Matt Gearheart, Shawnee, 296

Adult, Intermediate

1st– Malcom Gold, Overland Park, 311 (overall high total)

2nd– Mickey Louis, Overland Park, 293

3rd– Jennifer Hammett, Shawnee, 292

Adult, Novice

1st– Kelli Egbert, Spring Hill, 252

2nd– Todd Becker, Marion, 213

3rd– Jess Painter, Abilene, 142

Youth

1st– Joseph Miller, Nickerson, 260

2nd– Sam Schermerhorn, Wamego, 227

3rd– Ella Burnett, Erie, 150

Senior

1st– Tom Cannon, Iola, 304

2nd– Earl (Mick) McHugh, Mission Hills, 278

3rd– Doris Burnett, Manhattan, 265

“Anything over 300 species in Kansas is considered a benchmark for a very good year,” said Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) wildlife education coordinator, Mike Rader. “Four of the participants surpassing that total is really outstanding.”

Apart from bragging rights, winners will also receive prizes donated from several sponsors, including the KDWPT Education Section; Cabela’s of Wichita; Bass Pro Shops of Olathe; and Acorn Naturalists of Tustin, CA, a supplier of resources for the trail and classroom. The winners of each of the three age classifications (and skill levels in the adult classification) will also receive matted and framed original ink drawings of native Kansas shorebird species, drawn and donated by Dr. Robert Penner. Dr. Penner is the land steward and avian projects coordinator for The Nature Conservancy at Cheyenne Bottoms.

To participate in the 2017 contest, follow the instructions at ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Diversity/2017-Kansas-Birding-Big-Year and get counting!

KS STATE TREASURER

TOPEKA–People with disabilities will now be able to save for their future without losing benefits or paying taxes on the money they invest.

After a long journey through the federal and state legislative process, the Kansas ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience program) is now enrolling members at www.KS.savewithABLE.com. Currently, enrollees can choose between six different investments options. A banking product with a debit card will be available in the spring.

“This program has the ability to transform the lives of people with disabilities from dependence to independence,” said State Treasurer Ron Estes. “The possibilities to save and plan for the future through this program are truly limitless.”

People who have a disability that occurred before they were 26 years old can use the program to save for costs like education, housing, healthcare, job training, and many other qualified expenses.

“The launch today is the product of the hard work of many people on many different levels,” Treasurer Estes said. “I’m grateful to the entire Kansas congressional delegation, including Congressman Yoder and Senator Moran, State Representative Erin Davis, former State Senator Greg Smith, State Senator Molly Baumgardner, and others like Jawanda and Rachel Mast, and the entire National Down Syndrome Society, among many others, who made enacting ABLE a true priority.”

Previously, people with disabilities could only save $2,000 in assets in order to remain eligible for many federal means-tested benefits programs. Because of the Kansas ABLE program, eligible individuals and families can establish ABLE savings accounts that will not jeopardize their eligibility for those programs if the balance is less than $100,000.

Individuals do not need to be a resident of Kansas to enroll in the Kansas ABLE savings program, which can be completed at www.KS.SaveWithABLE.com or by calling 888.609.8919.

KDA

MANHATTAN ­­— The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s dairy inspection program now offers training for milk haulers and samplers in an online format. This new format will ensure that training for these key members of the milk supply chain is consistent statewide and convenient to access.

The updated program, which is available at no cost, is composed of six modules, each containing a video followed by an online quiz. The modules cover topics including general licensing, testing and food defense. Training is hauler-specific and includes modules directed towards multi-farm haulers, direct load tankers and in-line samplers. A summary of all training requirements within the Kansas dairy industry can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/dairy-industry, and the video modules can be found at the new website, animalcaretraining.org/milkhauler.

Training is required of all milk haulers and must be renewed every three years. After training, participants can print a certificate of completion and contact the KDA dairy and feed safety program to schedule an in-person meeting with an inspector to complete the process. The new training modules are also available to milk haulers and samplers nationwide.

“Milk haulers are an important link between the milk producer and the milk plant,” said George Blush, program manager for the KDA dairy and feed safety program. “The dairy inspection program ensures that milk haulers know what to do and how to do it, and that haulers take time to carry out these duties at each pickup location.” A primary duty of KDA’s dairy inspection program is to promote the production and sale of quality dairy products in Kansas. KDA is committed to helping to ensure a safe food supply and providing consumer protection to the best of our ability.

The online program is made possible by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Integrated Food Defense and Emergency Response Grant. The goal of the IFD Grant is to generate improved food defense tools and resources.

For more information about the Kansas dairy industry, contact George Blush at (785) 564-6761 or [email protected].