January is Radon Action Month; ADPH offers free radon test kits
MONTGOMERY - Do you know that winter is the perfect time to protect the health of yourself and your family from radon? Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and is the leading cause of lung cancer in...
Widespread flu outbreak prompts Gov. Ivey to declare State Public Health Emergency
MONTGOMERY - Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday declared a State Public Health Emergency due to this season's widespread outbreak of the influenza virus. Acting State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris is expected to hold a news conference on Friday to provide additional information...
Alabama health officials confirm state’s first case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis, rare polio-like disease
BIRMINGHAM - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed the state's first case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like disease that affects the nervous system.
Health officials say the cause of the disease is unknown at this time. The ADPH said...
ADPH seeks input on maternal and child health care needs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is asking for input from Alabamians to assess the health needs of women of childbearing age, infants, children and youth in the state. One way the public can assist is by participating in anonymous...
ADPH: ‘Share Your Smile with Alabama’ photo contest open to 3rd graders statewide
MONTGOMERY - A healthy smile is important to children, both for their overall health and self-esteem. The Oral Health Office of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is launching its smile photo contest, and it is open to all third-grade students residing in...
ADPH issues alert of increased flu activity across Alabama
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Friday issued an alert of increased influenza (flu) activity across the state.
A media release from the ADPH reminds the public that the flu is a very contagious respiratory illness, with symptoms including fever, cough,...
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Begins Friday
MONTGOMERY – Alabama’s 10th Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and end at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 9.
“This is a perfect opportunity for parents to purchase needed school supplies and get a tax break at the same time,”...
ADPH seeks input on maternal and child health care needs
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Department of Public Health is asking that families with children or youth complete an online survey concerning health and health care services. The anonymous survey is being conducted during the months of July through September and takes about 20 minutes...
Children in Alabama being tested for Enterovirus D68
MONTGOMERY - Reports of cases from across the nation have prompted concern among parents of children and teenagers about enterovirus D68 (EV-D68).
On Aug. 29, 2014, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) sent a message to all primary care physicians to consider testing for...
Prevent Foodborne illnesses on hot Summer days
MONTGOMERY – Picnics, backyard grilling, camping, weddings and outdoor family reunion meals can provide a perfect environment for foodborne illnesses because the hot temperatures of summer create an ideal time for bacteria to grow. Recent foodborne illness outbreaks that resulted in hospitalizations should remind...
Investigations of nine young children with adenovirus are underway
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Since November 2021, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), in collaboration with pediatric healthcare providers including hospitals who treat children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been investigating an increase in hepatitis in young children. These...
Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations are at record high in Alabama, immediate measures necessary
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Hospitalizations of children in Alabama due to COVID-19 are at a record high, and immediate measures should be taken to reduce COVID-19 in the pediatric population. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Alabama Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics...
Avoid senseless tragedy by never leaving children alone in vehicles
MONTGOMERY – Each summer there are deaths related to heat exposure in Alabama. The extremely hot temperatures in summer should remind parents, grandparents and caregivers not to leave children unattended in vehicles. Young children are at special risk because their bodies heat up three...
COVID-19 testing no longer mandated for flights to the U.S., but testing and avoiding travel when sick still recommended
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Travelers returning to the United States from foreign countries by air this summer are relieved of one requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rescinded its order requiring a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test before flights to the United...
Reporting of COVID-19 deaths in Alabama appears to differ from other reporting
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Death counts from COVID-19 appear to vary widely based on their reporting sources—the news media, hospitals and county health departments—and there are reasons these apparent discrepancies in the number of deaths occur. “The Alabama Department of Public Health considers any deaths to...
CDC issues guidance as transmission of contagious Delta COVID-19 variant surges, prevention measures outlined
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - More than 900 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Alabama, the largest number since February, and too few Alabama residents are vaccinated. High vaccination coverage will reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging.
State Health Officer Dr....
COVID-19 surges in Alabama children, vaccination and other measures needed to prevent further spread
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health reports a significant increase in pediatric cases of COVID-19 at this time of year, compared to the same time in 2020. Coupled with this increase in cases, ADPH notes that Alabama has at least 50...
Paused monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID-19 disease available again
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As of December 23, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had announced the temporary pause in allocations of some monoclonal antibodies and on Monday, Jan. 3, The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has received an advisory from the...
CDC offers new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) Calculator for the public
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have declined greatly in Alabama. However, it is unknown if the BA.2 subvariant or other emerging variants may escape the immune's systems response from either a previous COVID-19 infection or vaccine-induced protection. If so, mitigation...
Alabama Department of Public Health issues 2022 Fish Consumption Advisories
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) annually updates fish consumption advisories based on data collected the preceding fall by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). ADEM, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources...
Don’t let your guard down, COVID-19 continues circulating in Alabama communities
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - COVID-19 continues to infect persons in Alabama, with the Delta variant the predominant strain. Given that recent numbers of cases, percent positive tests and hospitalizations are decreasing, Alabamians may feel that the worst is behind us. However, the potential for this...
Sterile Product Recall Issued—Specialty Compounding, LLC, Cedar Park, Texas
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Public Health was notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting healthcare professionals not to use any sterile products from Specialty Compounding, LLC, of Cedar Park, Texas.
After 15...
Are you eligible for WIC?
MONTGOMERY – Alabama families may qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC. If you are a woman who is pregnant, just had a baby within the past six months, who is breastfeeding, or who is...
Alabama providers asked to pause administering Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Out of an abundance of caution, the Alabama Department of Public Health has asked all health care providers in the state to pause administering the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine due to an investigation of reports of potentially dangerous blood...
Alabama experiences significant H1N1 influenza activity this season
MONTGOMERY – While the flu season is just getting started in much of the country, activity is already high in Alabama, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Reports from Alabama’s network of providers who report influenza-like illness and send influenza samples for...
Prevent foodborne illnesses this holiday season
MONTGOMERY – Recent foodborne outbreaks that resulted in hospitalizations should alert Alabamians to follow safe food preparation and storage practices. As the holidays approach and the number of parties, covered-dish meals, and family gatherings increase, the Alabama Department of Public Health promotes safe food...
Pregnant women and other eligible Alabamians ages 12 and older are urged to be vaccinated for COVID-19
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - As dozens of pregnant women and pediatric patients with COVID-19 in Alabama are hospitalized each day, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) urges all pregnant women and all eligible adolescents ages 12 - 17 to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In...
ADPH provides information regarding infant formula shortages
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program realizes the challenges that many families are facing with the current nationwide infant formula shortages. ADPH WIC is working daily to address this issue in Alabama.ADPH WIC’s infant...
Parents and guardians reminded that childhood vaccinations are required
MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Now is the time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines before the start of school. Getting children all recommended vaccines is one of the most important things parents can do to help protect their kids’ health,...
ADPH announces WIC Program status is uncertain
MONTGOMERY – Due to the federal government shutdown effective, Oct. 1, 2013, the future of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is uncertain. The Alabama WIC Program is continuing to issue food instruments. Participants are currently receiving one month of WIC benefits.
The Alabama...
WIC Program receives additional funding through October
MONTGOMERY – The federal government has provided additional funds for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs to operate. The Alabama WIC Program will continue to see participants and issue benefits through the month of October. Participants will be limited to one month's issuance of...
CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels help determine prevention steps
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html) is a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the most recent data available. The CDC has released its new community level graphics...
COVID-19 boosters now authorized for ages 12-15, dosing interval lowered, additional primary dose recommended for certain immunocompromised children
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has notified Alabama healthcare providers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have endorsed new recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The updates came about after a...
February 2023 health department scores
CULLMAN, Ala. - Each month, food establishments are inspected by the Alabama Department of Health and graded on every aspect of the business.
Below are the local businesses and institutions that were inspected in February.
Establishment Name: Berkeley Bob's Coffee
Address: 304 1st Ave SE
City: Cullman
Zip Code:...
ADPH observes Healthy and Safe Swimming Week 2022
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is participating in the annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, May 23-29, 2022, an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal of this week is to maximize the health...
CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels help determine prevention steps
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html) is a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the most recent data available. The CDC has released its new community level graphics...
AL Children’s Health Insurance Program celebrates silver anniversary
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP) Program is celebrating 25 years of serving Alabama children and teens with high quality, low-cost health care coverage for families with incomes above Medicaid eligibility and up to 300% of federal poverty level.
“For the past 25...
Pfizer COVID-19 booster dose for children 5-11 now authorized, recommendations updated
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Children ages 5 - 11 are now authorized to receive a booster dose of Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least five months after completion of the primary vaccine series. Children ages 5 - 11 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should...
Alabama mom uses Count the Kicks app, saves her baby’s life
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Shamari Cooke never expected that downloading a free app called Count the Kicks to track her baby’s movements during pregnancy would help save her daughter’s life. During pregnancy, Cooke learned about the importance of kick counting from her obstetrician/gynecologist, who suggested...
