Thursday, November 17 is the Great American Smokeout, an opportunity for smokers to take the first step to quit the habit. It is estimated that eight out of 10 smokers would like to quit smoking, which remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has cessation resources and tools as well as information about alternative tobacco products and smoke-free living on its GetHealthyClarkCounty.org website.

As cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza continue to rise in Nevada and throughout the United States, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is reminding area residents to take steps against the spread of those illnesses.

In support of American Diabetes Month in November, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is spotlighting one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States.

The Southern Nevada Health District announced the hiring of Dave Sheehan as Public Information Officer (PIO). Sheehan succeeds Stephanie Bethel, who retired as PIO after 16 years with SNHD.

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting the first death of a Clark County resident diagnosed with monkeypox. The patient was a male over the age of 50 with underlying medical conditions whose death was attributed to other causes.

A Clark County resident has died from an infection of Naegleria fowleri, also known as a brain-eating amoeba. The patient was a male, under the age of 18.

The Southern Nevada Health District and Southern Nevada Health Consortium are working together to help stop HIV stigma and address the disproportionate impact of HIV on Hispanic/Latino communities during this year’s National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15, 2022.

The Southern Nevada Health District has expanded eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine to additional individuals who are at risk for exposure.

The Southern Nevada Health District is alerting the public to the ongoing risk fentanyl poses to the community after the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) reported six suspected drug-related overdoses had occurred in Clark County during a 36-hour period from September 25, 2022, to September 27, 2022.

The Southern Nevada Health District and Southern Nevada Community Health Center are continuing their efforts to make services more accessible to the community.

The flu vaccine is here and available at Southern Nevada Health District clinics. Flu vaccines are updated each season, and the Health District is encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated before flu viruses begin circulating in the community.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness and share information about steps that can be taken to help prevent obesity and reduce obesity related stigma.

LAS VEGAS – The Pop-Up Produce Markets are back and just in time for the fall produce season! Six markets are scheduled at the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) and the Southern Nevada Health District starting in September. Patrons will pay about a dollar for a pound/bundle of fresh fruit or vegetables.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s immunization clinic services are available by appointment only, including the clinic at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. The online vaccine appointment system is now operational.

The Southern Nevada Community Health Center is celebrating National Health Center Week August 7-13, by raising awareness of the services available to the community, showing appreciation to its patients with giveaways and celebrating its dedicated employees.

The community’s third annual Southern Nevada Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit, focusing on Facts, not Fear: Understanding Fentanyl and Its Impacts, will take place on Wednesday, August 10, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year’s speakers will discuss ways to expand access to evidence-based harm reduction services, remove barriers to treatment, and address recovery support services, at-risk populations, community prevention efforts and more.

Individuals who are at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox can now make appointments to get the vaccine at the Southern Nevada Health District using its online system available at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s/ (select the “Routine” vaccination option), or by calling (702) 759-0850 for assistance. Appointments will begin on Monday, July 25.

Renewing a Food Handler Safety Training Card is now more convenient. Southern Nevada Health District Food Handler Safety Training Card clients who took their food safety test in person at a Health District location after July 2018 can now renew their cards online — no appointment required.

he school year begins on Monday, August 8, and the Southern Nevada Health District is encouraging parents and guardians to make immunization appointments for their children as soon as possible to ensure they are ready for the first day of school. There are mandatory requirements for children entering kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade.

The Southern Nevada Health District has received reports of a probable case of monkeypox virus in a man in his 40s. The individual has a history of travel and is isolating at home. This brings the total number of confirmed or probable monkeypox cases to five in Clark County. Moving forward, updated case counts will be posted to the Health District’s website at: www.snhd.info/monkeypox.

The Southern Nevada Health District has received reports of two additional probable monkeypox cases in Clark County residents. The additional cases are a man in his 50s and a man in his 30s, one of whom is isolating at home and the other is hospitalized. The Health District is looking at the health status of close contacts and specimens are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation. This brings the total number of confirmed or probable monkeypox cases to four in Clark County. None of these cases are associated with each other. As of Wednesday, the U.S. has reported a total of 560 cases.

The Southern Nevada Health District has received a report of a second case of monkeypox in a Clark County resident. The individual was diagnosed in another state. The case information was reported directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by another jurisdiction. As a result, the Health District is working with state and federal partners to collect information to determine if the case is probable or confirmed. 

Monday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day and the Southern Nevada Health District and the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium will provide free HIV testing throughout the day at community locations. The theme of this year’s observance is “HIV Testing is Self-Care.” During the pandemic, the topic of self-care and mental health issues have been brought to the forefront, and this year’s theme stresses the need for individual and community actions to protect and promote physical and mental health.

Making appointments for immunizations at a Southern Nevada Health District public health center is now more convenient with the launch of its new online system. Starting today, immunization clinic clients can make their own appointments online through the Patient Portal at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s for travel, flu, measles, rubella, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, and other routine vaccines offered at all four of the Health District’s immunization clinic locations. People who may not have online access or need additional assistance making appointments, may call (702) 759-0850.

The probable case of monkeypox in a Clark County resident has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The case was first reported by the Southern Nevada Health District on June 15. The individual is a male in his 20s. He reported recent domestic travel, did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home. No additional cases of monkeypox have been reported at this time.

As part of Men’s Health Month, the Southern Nevada Health District, in partnership with the Barbershop Health Outreach Project (BSHOP), is hosting an event called Shop Talk from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday, June 16, at Masterpiece Barber School, 3510 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV, 89110. The event is free; however, space is limited. To register, visit Get Healthy Clark County Shop Talk. Men’s Health Month seeks to raise awareness about health care for men and encourage them, their sons, and their families to learn about and implement healthy life choices.

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting a presumptive positive case of monkeypox in a Clark County resident with recent domestic travel history. The Health District is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to perform confirmatory testing. The individual is a male in his 20s that did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home. The Health District is investigating and conducting contact tracing related to this case, and no additional cases have been identified at this time. Monkeypox spreads from person to person through close physical contact with infectious monkeypox sores, bodily fluids, contact with objects or fabrics that have been used by someone who has monkeypox, sexual contact, or prolonged face-to-face contact.

Today, the Southern Nevada Health District commemorated its 60th anniversary with a State of the Health District address highlighting its accomplishments and challenges of the past few years. Following statutory authorization by the Nevada State Legislature in 1959, the agency began operations as the Clark County Health District in a temporary structure built as an Army Medical Station during World War II on June 5, 1962. The Health District employed 30 staff members, including four “sanitarians” responsible for inspecting some 800 eating and drinking establishments. Today, approximately 800 employees provide a variety of programs and services designed to protect and promote the health of Clark County residents and visitors, including inspecting more than 17,000 permitted food establishments each year.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion kicks off the 2022 Move Your Way® Summer Challenge with the City of Henderson’s Glow Bike Ride, Saturday, May 28, from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, NV, 89074. The Glow Bike Ride is the first event in the summer-long challenge to encourage Southern Nevadans to be more physically active. For additional information or to register for the Glow Bike Ride, visit the City of Henderson Glow Bike Ride page. Additional information about the Move Your Way® Summer Challenge is available on the Health District’s Get Healthy Clark County and the Spanish-language Viva Saludable websites.

The school year begins on Monday, August 8 and parents and guardians can ensure their children are appropriately immunized at a Southern Nevada Health District immunization clinic. The Health District encourages parents and guardians to bring their kindergartners, 7th and 12th graders to its immunization clinics for their mandatory school vaccines before the first day of school. The Health District’s immunization clinics are open Monday through Friday. Walk-in immunization services are available at the 280 S. Decatur Blvd. public health center. Appointments for services at other neighborhood public health centers can be made by calling (702) 759-0850 or (702) 759-1682 for appointments at the Mesquite Public Health Center.

How about sitting down to a whopping 10 teaspoons of sugar? That is the amount of sugar in a 12-ounce can of regular soda. These drinks contribute to obesity, tooth decay, and type 2 diabetes. This summer, the Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is launching its Soda Free Summer Challenge to encourage children and adults to opt for healthier beverages and reduce or eliminate sugary drinks. The Challenge kicks off Thursday, May 5 and continues through Saturday, August 6. Promotoras Las Vegas (PLV) will bring education and information to the Hispanic community through social media and community events. For more information on how to participate in the Soda Free Summer Challenge visit the Health District’s Get Healthy Clark County or the Spanish language Viva Saludable  websites for more information.

A public health hero is an individual or organization that embodies one or more of the essential functions of public health and the Southern Nevada Health District recognizes those whose actions improve the health status of the community. Today, the Health District announced its 2022 Public Health Heroes at its April Board of Health meeting. This year, Dr. Shawn Gerstenberger, dean, and Max Gakh, associate professor, from UNLV’s School of Public Health, and Jeremy Lovell, health facilities inspector, from the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance at the State of Nevada, were named the 2022 Public Health Heroes.

Clark County ranks 6th healthiest in Nevada according to the annual County Health Rankings. The County Health Rankings are released each year using data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) and are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

Immunizations are one of public health’s most important accomplishments and they protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable illnesses. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted some routine vaccinations for many children and National Infant Immunization Week is a perfect opportunity to bring children’s immunizations up-to-date. During National Infant Immunization Week, the Southern Nevada Health District will offer free or low-cost immunizations to infants who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program at its four public health centers. In addition, the Health District will have free giveaways and a chance to win prizes. For more information and additional resources, visit the Health District’s National Infant Immunization Week webpage.

April is National Minority Health Month, an opportunity to support minority health initiatives, increase access to resources, and decrease health inequities. As part of its mission of ensuring a Healthy Southern Nevada, the Southern Nevada Health District has developed and implemented several programs and resources to reduce health disparities in the community.

STD Awareness Week is April 10-16, and the Southern Nevada Health District is reminding everyone about the importance of their sexual health and encouraging individuals and health care providers to talk, test and treat to protect their health, the health of their partners, and patients. Throughout April, the Health District’s mobile testing unit and Linkage to Action team will be providing education, resources, testing and services throughout Clark County. The Health District is also offering Express Testing at its Sexual Health Clinic, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. and at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4201 W. Washington Ave., as well as at-home testing through the Collect2Protect program, which provides a convenient and private testing option. In addition, the mobile testing unit will at Siegel Suites, 454 E. Twain Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89169 between 9 a.m. and noon, Tuesday, April 12, to provide free rapid HIV testing and hepatitis C testing.

On Aug. 15, 2022, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will join approximately 2,000 universities across the country that have become smoke-free campuses.

Just in time for the 2022 baseball season, the Las Vegas Aviators®, Las Vegas Ballpark® and the Southern Nevada Health District have teamed up to declare Las Vegas Ballpark a smoke-free facility. The new policy takes effect on the Aviators’ opening day, April 5, 2022.

The Veggie Buck Truck is back! Pop-up produce markets are scheduled at the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) in spring and fall with an additional location at the Southern Nevada Health District. Patrons will pay about a dollar for a pound of fresh fruit or vegetables. The program is a partnership between the Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), and the Veggie Buck Truck in an effort to increase access to low-cost, healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. For more information, call the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at (702) 759-1270 or visit the Get Healthy Clark County Farmers Markets page.

In a win for Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Lights FC home games at Cashman Field are now smoke-free. The decision by the Lights includes all tobacco products as well as e-cigarettes and vaping products. The current season continues through October with 17 home games remaining. The policy includes all areas within Cashman Field.

In the United States, many believe tuberculosis (TB) is a far-off or eradicated illness. While rates of TB have declined, it still exists. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 7,000 cases were reported in the United States in 2020. In Clark County, the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed 51 cases in 2020. Globally, approximately 10 million people develop TB each year. World TB Day is observed each year on March 24 to recognize that too many people still suffer from the disease and to emphasize the need to continue to find and treat those with TB.

The Southern Nevada Health District is continuing its investigation and review of information regarding Secret of Siam. With the LVMPD criminal investigation completed and a review by the appropriate business licensing agency completed, the Health District is allowing the restaurant to reopen with several conditions, including discarding food product, additional inspections and ongoing follow-up with the Health District’s Food Operations program. The Health District will provide an update when it is able.

Today, the Southern Nevada Health District announced it has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The five-year accreditation status achieved by the Health District is the culmination of a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process designed to ensure public health agencies meet a set of quality standards and measures.

The Southern Nevada Health District recognizes National Nutrition Month and Diabetes Awareness Day, March 22. Nutrition and healthy eating go hand-in-hand with a healthy life and are especially important for people living with prediabetes or diabetes. For more information about resources for nutrition, diabetes management, quitting smoking, and increasing activity, visit the  Get Healthy Clark County website.

To commemorate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Thursday, March 10, the Southern Nevada Health District will provide free Express HIV Testing from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Sexual Health Clinic, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Visit the Sexual Health Clinic page on the Health District’s website for information about sexual health services.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population, is coming once again to Clark County, NV, beginning March 11, 2022. Why Clark County? All counties and cities in the United States have a chance to be selected for the NHANES and, this year, Clark County is one of 15 counties selected to be part of this initiative. Each year, only 5,000 residents nationwide are chosen to participate in NHANES, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Health District continues to report a decline in the number of cases as well as positivity rates in the community. Based on recent data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now classifies Clark County as having medium disease transmission. The Health District reminds the community that variants continue to circulate in Clark County and there is always potential for new variants to develop. The Health District continues to encourage Southern Nevadans to take steps to protect themselves and their families by getting fully vaccinated and getting a booster dose when eligible.

The Southern Nevada Health District continues to work with its partners to investigate a potential association between THC toxicity and the consumption of food or drink from Secret of Siam Thai Cuisine restaurant located at 5705 Centennial Center Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89149. As of February 24, 2022, several dozen patrons have reported they consumed items from the restaurant between January 28, 2022, and February 14, 2022, and experienced symptoms. Initial signs and symptoms included hallucinations, blurry vision, increased heart rate, disorientation or confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness, dry mouth, and numbness or tingling in extremities. Some patrons who reported they did not intentionally consume or use marijuana in the previous 30 days tested positive for THC on a laboratory toxicological screen. All patrons have recovered. Additional reports of similar symptoms in additional patrons are under investigation.

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating reports of unusual illness occurrence in people who ate at Secret of Siam, located at 5705 Centennial Center, Las Vegas, NV 89147, in January and February of this year. The food establishment is currently closed.

To commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day , the Southern Nevada Health District and the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium will provide free, rapid HIV testing, STD screenings, and education about pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, PEP) from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Monday, February 7 at Nucleus Plaza, 1040 W. Owens Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106. The event will also feature a vendor health fair and free entertainment.

February is American Heart Month and the perfect opportunity to assess heart health and identify or manage risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure. The Southern Nevada Health District and its partners are offering free programs and classes in February to help people manage hypertension and other heart disease risk factors. Additional information is available on the Get Healthy Clark County website.

‘Tis the season for resolutions to make changes and be healthier in the New Year. Don’t let them go by the wayside by February 1! The Southern Nevada Health District has resources to help you live a healthier life and be your best self in 2022 with free online tools, classes and programs. For information, visit the Get Healthy Clark County or the Spanish-language Viva Saludable websites.