Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one case of meningococcal disease involving a patient from New Jersey who attended a demonstration at the Free Trade Areas of Americas in Miami, Fla.
While there are no suspected or confirmed cases in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Health is urging Ohio residents who attended a demonstration at the FTAA meeting and who have symptoms, including high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion and sleepiness, to be evaluated by their doctors.
Meningococcal disease is spread only by close intimate contact with oral secretions of an infected person. The ODH said the general public is not at increased risk of contracting the disease.
Cancer Society aid
Jan. 30, 2004, is the deadline for young cancer survivors to apply for an American Cancer Society's Ohio Division scholarship. Recipients must be Ohio residents, have been diagnosed with cancer before the age of 21 and under the age of 25 at the time of application. They must plan to attend an accredited university or community college in the United States. Last year, three students in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties were among 100 college-bound cancer survivors in Ohio who received $1,000 scholarships.
For an application or for more information, call (800) 686-4357.
Mission Cataract day
YOUNGSTOWN -- Eye Care Associates and the Center for Advanced Eye Surgery are participating in Mission Cataract, a community outreach program that provides one day of free cataract surgery for people without insurance and who can't otherwise afford the operation. March 18, 2004, has been designated as surgery day here.
To qualify for this service, applicants must have: Poor vision that results from cataracts uncorrectable with glasses and that interferes with daily living activities; no Medicare, Medicaid, insurance coverage or other means of paying for surgery; and proof of financial need. Call (330) 746-7691 for application information.
Elderly eye treatment
ALLIANCE -- The EyeCare America Seniors EyeCare Program, co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, is offering eligible residents, ages 65 and over, who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, a comprehensive medical eye examination and up to one year of treatment for any disease diagnosed during the initial visit.
Residents may call toll free (800) 222-3937 to determine if they are eligible, and to be matched with an ophthalmologist in their area. Volunteer doctors will accept Medicare or other insurance as full payment, resulting in no out-of-pocket expense to the patient. Seniors without insurance can receive care at no charge. EyeCare America is a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
K-9s for Compassion
WARREN -- K-9s for Compassion, a volunteer program under which dogs visit hospital patients, is now available at St. Joseph Health Center. Dog handler teams from K-9s for Compassion, a local group affiliated with the Delta Society Pet Partners program, visit patients under controlled circumstances and only with the patient's permission. Dog handler teams are certified through Delta Society's Pet Partners and are re-evaluated every two years. For more information, call (330) 841-4375.