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News You Can Use

July 18, 2008

West Nile Virus Update  

Since the first 2008 case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in PA was announced in mid-June, reports continue to hit the airwaves about mosquito samples testing positive for the virus.  The Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Environmental Protection want to help you protect yourself from infection with the virus that reportedly did not exist in the United States prior to 1999.   

Nearly 25,000 mosquito samples have been collected and 5,716 were tested yielding 12 positive findings across the state.  PA's West Nile Virus Surveillance Program website includes an interactive state map representing those affected counties in red.  Click on affected counties for specifics.  In addition to results of mosquito testing, surveillance results for humans, dead birds, and veterinary samples are represented. 

While the number of cases increases, consult the website to help you determine what you can do to help prevent the spread of the virus and how to recognize symptoms of WNV.  You will also find answers to an array of WNV-related questions.  Those with medical emergencies should contact their personal healthcare provider or nearest emergency room.  For more information explore the site's related links. 

Health Clubs & Consumer Protections 

Are the heat and humidity running you indoors for a cool workout?  The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General wants new and existing health club members to take note of their rights under PA's Consumer Protection Law and Health Club Act following a rash of fitness club closings across the state.   

Health clubs closed with little or no advance warning are subject to lawsuits for failing to honor existing contracts and continuing to collect fees from members, among other charges.  Other violations include a club's lack of a bond or letter-of-credit.   

Consumers experiencing problems with health club memberships are encouraged by the AG's Office to contact its Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-441-2555 or file an online consumer complaint.   

Screaming for Ice Cream? 

If summer weather has you screaming for ice cream you are in the correct state to fulfill your dairy desire.  Pennsylvania ranks 7th in ice cream production and is rich in its related history.   

According to "Pennsylvania Pursuits," a quarterly publication from the PA Tourism Office, "the history of ice cream in Pennsylvania is owed to the French, who brought the delicious confection to the wealthy founding fathers."  While serving as President in Philadelphia, George Washington paid a large sum of money for a specific vanilla ice cream recipe.  Thomas Jefferson had a personal recipe for vanilla ice cream, which included egg yolks.  "Philadelphia ice cream" – minus the egg yolks and other additives – eventually became the epitome of American ice cream.   

Some 60 years apart, two African-Americans residing in PA made a huge impact on the history of ice cream across the country.  In the 1830's, Augustus Jackson, after serving as a White House chef, moved to Philadelphia where he was credited with inventing the modern method of ice cream manufacturing.  Alfred L. Cralle, another African-American inventor, settled in Pittsburgh and patented a lever-operated ice cream scoop so durable and versatile, it is still in use today.  In between those developments came a Philadelphia woman who in 1843 patented the first hand-cranking ice cream machine.   

The history of ice cream in PA is a blend of hard work and ingenuity.  In fact, it was a graduate of Pittsburgh's School of Pharmacy who is credited with creating the first banana split while working as an apprentice in a pharmacy in Latrobe.   

Sign up for the quarterly publication "Pennsylvania Pursuits" for more stories that make PA a great place to live, work, and visit.  Don't forget to check the box to receive a free 2008 Pennsylvania Travel Guide along with the official Pennsylvania highway map.  You can also choose to receive VisitPA.com's monthly tourism email, featuring seasonal highlights, happenings, and travel ideas.   

Don't wait for your next ice cream cone; go to Visitpa.com and type "ice cream" into the "Keyword Search Results" box for hundreds of choices.  Find a Victorian-style soda fountain, a 1950's style soda shoppe, a special creamery from your childhood, or take a trip to a working dairy for farm fresh ice cream.  You can even find a place to play a little miniature golf to be followed by your choice from among 28 flavors of ice cream.   

Surviving Summer's Heat  

The number of heat-related deaths rises with the temperatures each summer.  Young children, older individuals, people who are overweight, those with heart and breathing problems, and individuals on certain medications are at greatest risk, according to the PA Department of Health.   

Prevent heat-related illnesses by following a series of tips from the Department of Health: 

• Begin to consume fluids before your body signals it is thirsty. 
• With increased fluid intake steer clear of those beverages with caffeine, alcohol, and high sugar content. 
• Avoid cold drinks which may trigger stomach cramps. 
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. 
• Reschedule activities for cooler times of the day. 
• Take frequent baths or showers and remain in a cool place. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recommends smaller frequent meals and avoiding use of the oven at the hottest times of the day.  Close shades or blinds to keep out the sun and heat.   

Turn on electric fans for increased comfort unless temperatures are in the high 90s.  Older adults should be aware that Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging are ready to assist with a broad range of services available during dangerously hot weather, including relocating older adults to cooler locations such as a local church or senior center.   

Familiarize yourself with the 3 types of heat-related illness, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat or sun stroke including the symptoms and the recommended course of first aid for each.   

Responding to Risky Driving Behaviors 

Pennsylvania State Police report the 2008 July 4th holiday period was marred by those exercising risky driving behavior.  Tickets for speeding, failure to wear seatbelts, children unsecured by safety seats, and those driving under the influence accounted for 7,670 of the citations issued by PSP.   

During the four-day holiday period, PSP indicate there were 759 crashes, 75 of which were alcohol-related.  Two hundred eighty-nine were injured and 15 others died, three of which were alcohol-related during that same period. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is offering a series of tips on avoiding the challenges or confrontations of an aggressive driver.  Risky behaviors include:

• Running stop signs and red lights 
• Passing on the right 
• Executing improper or unsafe lane changes 
• Hand and facial gestures 
• Screaming 
• Honking 
• Flashing headlights 

When confronted by aggressive drivers, NHTSA encourages other motorists to first and foremost make every attempt to get out of the way.  The Agency recommends putting your pride in the back seat and avoiding any challenges such as speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.  Avoid eye contact, ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.   

Aggressive drivers should be reported to the police along with a vehicle description, license number, location, and direction of travel, as possible.  NHTSA also advises stopping a safe distance from the crash scene if an aggressive driver is involved in a collision farther down the road.  Wait for the police to arrive and report the driving behavior you witnessed.   

23^rd Wildlife Art Show Set for August 

Purchase wildlife art and support the Pennsylvania Game Commission's (PGC) Wildlands Preservation Fund dedicated to land acquisition during the 23rd Annual Wildlife Art Show set for August 1-3, 2008 at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.   

The free show is set for Friday, August 1 from 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday, August 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state will be on display and available for sale during the event.  Proceeds from a drawing to win a selection of artwork and the individually sold works of art will support the Wildlands Preservation Fund.   

The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area consists of 5,000 acres set aside by the PGC for the protection, propagation, management, preservation, and controlled harvest of wildlife.  The area is populated with waterfowl and forest and farm wildlife and includes a 400-acre shallow water lake and a 70-acre impoundment.  Contact the Middle Creek Visitor's Center, located along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville in Lebanon County, at 717-733-1512 for more information.