CRESTVIEW — Due to recent heavy rainfall, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County and Okaloosa County Mosquito Control are stressing the importance of protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

“Calls have tripled, and Okaloosa County Mosquito Control has implemented the nightly spray schedule following recent rains,” said Scott Henson of Okaloosa Public Works.

Follow these tips to prevent mosquitoes from living and multiplying around your home or business:

•Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or other containers collecting sprinkler or rainwater.

•Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other unused items.

•Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least once or twice a week.

•Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

•Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

•Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves outside.

•Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Repellents with 10-30 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.

•Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

•Cover doors and windows with screens.

Symptoms of mosquito-borne virus infection may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual has a mosquito-borne illness. DOH laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne disease.

DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne viruses and diseases, including West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria and dengue.

See www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_pw_mosquito_control.html for an Okaloosa County Mosquito Control spray schedule.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department targets mosquito-borne illness

CRESTVIEW — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week through Aug. 7.

Seventy-two percent of the Okaloosa County Women, Infants and Children program’s infants are breastfed; the goal is 82 percent.

Infants not exclusively breastfed their first six months of life reportedly are more likely to develop chronic and acute diseases, including ear infections, diarrheal diseases, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, obesity and respiratory illnesses. Mothers who breastfeed reportedly have a decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancers.

The WIC program provides breastfeeding support, nutrition and education counseling, healthy foods and health care referrals.

Breastfeeding classes are at 1 p.m. each first and third Thursday at 810 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, and at 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays at 221 Hospital Drive N.E.,Fort Walton Beach.

World Breastfeeding Week is coordinated globally by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Contact the Florida Department of Health-Okaloosa’s WIC program, 833-9240, or visit www.waba.org.my for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Awareness week aims to boost number of breastfed infants

CRESTVIEW — Covenant Hospice can count the reasons why Deidra Faulkner is its 2012-13 Leader of the Year.

Faulker — a registered nurse and chaplain who has worked for the non-profit organization the past nine years — serves as the Okaloosa and Walton County service areas’ clinical manager.

The Crestview resident built and maintained a group of more than 175 physicians, nurses, social workers, volunteers and chaplains to assist with operations, according to a Covenant Hospice news release.

She was selected from 80 colleagues in management positions in the organization.

"I never see her stressed," the hospice’s development and communications manager Jenni Perkins said. "She’s always incredibly busy and consistent."

Faulkner’s staff praised her ability to face adversity with grace.

“She has demonstrated that she has a heart of service to others by being gracious, positive and peaceful in difficult circumstances, encouraging her staff and assisting them wherever there is a need,” her staff’s nomination form said.

Faulkner said the recognition humbles her.  

“I count it an honor and privilege to be recognized in this way, " she said. "I do what I do because it is what I believe."

Covenant Hospice — which serves terminally ill patients and their loved ones — is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview nurse named Covenant’s Leader of the Year

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County residents visited Crestview High School on Saturday for the 3rd Masonic District’s 6th Annual No Child without Health Care Fair, which provided free children’s health screenings.

The fair featured 10 Crestview physicians and four Pensacola doctors. Children received free dental exams from Northwest Florida State College’s dental program.

Dr. Undi Christopher, a local practitioner, said she was happy to provide free physicals.

"Nothing should be a barrier for a kid to get into school," Christopher said. "This is one way we can get them into school."

Jacques Susic of Crestview said he appreciated the service.

"We don't have the proper health care that we need," Susic said. "I am fortunate to have a place like this to take my children."

Marilyn Parks of Baker said the health fair was convenient for her grandchildren.

"This came at a perfect time," she said. "My grandson needed a physical to play football."

Parks, who represented Okaloosa Head Start, said the service particularly benefited the nonprofit’s clients.

"I work with families that don't have health insurance,” she said. “So what we do is find out when it is and make sure to notify them."

The Childcare Network of Crestview handed out free fruit to attendees to promote nutritious habits.

 "We are just trying to promote children's healthy eating," director Cheri Pittman said.

Volunteers also grilled free hamburgers and hot dogs for those in attendance.

Adam  Chinnasami, 14, a North Carolina native, was invited by his uncle, Dr. Joseph Peters, to introduce a nutrition initiative.

"ROG is a nutritional program designed by me and my brother to teach kids at an early age to eat healthy," Chinnasami said.

ROG, which stands for red, orange and green, teaches children to identify foods that are healthy, those that are unhealthy and those that should be eaten with caution.

ROG uses the same method that motorists use when approaching a traffic light, Chinnasama said.

"Red is for unhealthy foods that are over 10 grams of fat, green foods are for healthy foods and yellow is for foods in the middle," Chinnasami said.

Adam and Alexander Chinnasami have been promoting the program to help children develop healthy eating habits.

 "Obesity is such a big problem in the United States … our generation might not live as long as the preceding generation," Chinnasami said. "That's what inspired me and my brother with this program."

Event organizer Malcolm Haynes said this year’s blood donations were just shy of the Masons’ goal.

"Our goal was 25 pints; we had 24 pints," Haynes said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents attend free children's health fair in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Mickey Givens spent his final wish under Covenant Hospice’s care doing what he loves — singing karaoke.

The 86-year-old sang several of his favorite songs during karaoke night on Saturday at American Legion Post 75.

"It’s something I really love to do," Givens said. "My favorite is the old country and western (music)."

The night was particularly meaningful because it might be his last chance to do so. The Laurel Hill resident recently chose to be taken off dialysis for kidney failure and has been a hospice patient since July 2.  

 "One of the things that hospice is all about is quality of life during their final acts of living," said Jenni Perkins, Covenant Hospice’s development and communications manager.

Each patient is asked what his or her three wishes are, Perkins said. Requests range from visiting a faraway friend or relative to simply dying at home.   

"(Givens) wanted to hit the karaoke circuit one last time," Perkins said.

Jeff Williams, the American Legion’s commander, said he was more than happy to help a former World War II veteran.

“There is not that many World War II vets left," he said. "We got the call and we jumped at the opportunity to help out."

Serving in World War II was a family honor, Givens said.

"When I was old enough in 1944 to go into the Navy, I had seven brothers already in there," Givens said. "There was eight of us."

In addition to singing songs of his favorite country music artists, like his favorite, Eddy Arnold, Givens has performed several songs he wrote in remembrance of his late wife of 25 years, Edwina, who died in 2000.

The couple would go to karaoke events together, Givens said.

"We always made plans on what she would do when I died," Givens said. "It didn't work out that way."

Givens, who was also a former volunteer with Covenant, intends to stick around and continue to perform his favorite music as long as he can. 

"I intend to live as long as the good Lord lets me," Givens said. 

"He comes up here just about every Saturday night," Williams said. "Surprisingly he can carry a tune pretty well."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Hospice patient sings karaoke for final wish

FORT WALTON BEACH — Three Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park of Fort Walton Beach; Poquito Park of Shalimar; and Lincoln Park of Valparaiso.

This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public, based on the enterococci standards recommended by the EPA. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Three parks receive advisories for hazardous water