The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Pregnancy care center names new director

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The Oasis Pregnancy Care Center has hired Anita Albert-Watson as the Land O’ Lakes facility director.

Anita Albert-Watson
Anita Albert-Watson

Albert-Watson has more than 10 years of experience in managing a variety of social service programs. She spent most of her career working with The Salvation Army, providing administrative and pastoral oversight for multiple programs, including homelessness prevention, shelter and transitional housing programs, and community capacity building programs.

Albert-Watson has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She lives in Land O’ Lakes with her husband, Bob.

Oasis Pregnancy Care Center is located at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in the Copperstone Executive Suites.

Medical marijuana may mean big money in Pasco

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The local debate on how to regulate medical marijuana in Pasco County remains unsettled.

But, two Tampa land use attorneys recently briefed county commissioners on the legal difficulties they face, and the vast sums of money at stake as the medical marijuana industry expands.

County commissioners also received a recommendation from the county’s legal staff on limiting medical marijuana in Pasco to industrial districts, with conditions.

TitleThe potential use of some industrial properties for medical marijuana dispensaries didn’t go over well with Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano.

“I don’t want to take any more industrial off the books,” he said.

Currently, a low level form of medical marijuana, known as Charlotte’s web, is legal in Florida for patients with seizure disorders. Terminally ill patients can qualify for stronger potencies of medical marijuana.

A Nov. 8 statewide referendum, if approved, would open the door to more dispensaries statewide, while also increasing the number of illnesses that can be treated with medical marijuana.

The law currently allows only five sites, geographically dispersed across the state.

There is money to be made in this budding industry.

A Miami-Dade County study recently estimated that each eligible patient would spend up to $3,600 a year on medical marijuana.

Data from the Florida Department of Health predicted that by 2017 there would be about 450,000 patients statewide. That would translate to about $1.3 billion in medical marijuana sales, according to attorney Gina Grimes of Hill Ward Henderson.

Pro-industry data suggests the number of patients could be as many as 700,000, Grimes added.

She and Morris Massey, of the same law firm, gave a presentation on medical marijuana to county commissioners on Sept. 20 at a public workshop in New Port Richey.

“We’re not here to advocate either in support of or against marijuana,” said Grimes.

The data laid out for county commissioners offered an overview of their zoning options in deciding how many dispensaries to permit, where to locate them and what conditions to apply, such as hours of operation and distance from schools, churches and day care centers.

Some restrictions — aimed at reducing loitering — prompted a query from Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey.

“Are you saying people who are really sick go loitering outside these buildings?” she said. “Is this unfounded hysteria or based in factual experience?”

Grimes said there was a bit of both.

“People have a lot of concerns,” she said. “People have a fear of the unknown. Not knowing, they want to make sure none of these things occur. I think that’s where the regulations are coming from.”

On the financial side, the economic impact to state and local governments goes beyond a head count on patients. There will be permanent jobs in the industry, construction jobs to build cultivation facilities and dispensaries. Consultants, attorneys and accountants also will be hired.

There will be security jobs and businesses that supply cultivation sites with fertilizer, pots, containers and other materials. The county’s utility tax revenues could get a boost from facilities that use high levels of energy to grow cannabis.

And, as a tourist destination, Florida could benefit from accepting visitors’ out-of-state medical cards for medical marijuana purchases.

Grimes said Florida is predicted to rank second in the country for such sales, potentially reaping $2 billion to $3 billion annually by 2025.

“The economic impact of medical marijuana could grow exponentially when you consider our tourist industry,” she said.

Some cities and counties already have made choices in how to deal with medical marijuana.

The City of Cocoa Beach, for example, would allow dispensaries in general commercial zones with conditions, such as 1,000-foot distance from schools. Hillsborough County would allow them in all districts with retail uses, as long as they meet state regulations on operations.

A significant issue for county commissioners is whether to hold public hearings on each application or to process applications administratively.

With a favorable vote on Nov. 8, Grimes said Pasco could find as many as 100 applicants or more lining up for permits.

A Quinnipiac University poll in May found 80 percent of Florida’s voters support expanding medical marijuana uses.

County commissioners recently extended a moratorium on the growth, manufacturer and production of cannabis – from which medical marijuana is derived – until Dec. 31, to allow time to craft regulations in the event the referendum passes.

Because of the confusion of how the state will proceed, Grimes and Massey suggested that the county consider another, shorter extension of the moratorium.

It could take months for the state’s Department of Health to issue its regulations, if the referendum is approved. Legislators also could weigh-in during their 2017 session.

But, Grimes said, “At that point in time, I think you’ll be better able to adopt regulations that take into account facts you know exist.”

County commissioners praised the attorneys’ presentation, but expressed disappointment that the workshop was limited to a legal review.

“I’m frustrated right now,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells also said he expected greater participation. “I just think we all can be educated,” he said.

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker said staff would need more guidance on the matter, if commissioners wanted a workshop on the advantages and disadvantages.

“Pros and cons (of medical marijuana) are not what is in the purview of the board,” she said. Rather, the issue will be decided by the state’s voters.

Though public workshops don’t typically allow public comment, county commissioners waived the rule. They also said another workshop might be needed.

A handful of people spoke in favor of medical marijuana. No one spoke in opposition.

Garyn Angel, owner of a botanical extraction company known as Magical Butter, said plant-based medicine is healthier than manufactured pills.

“There should not be a stigma to getting medicine that works for you, especially from low-level THC. This will not get you high. Let’s make people healthy naturally.”

Published September 28, 2016

Alzheimer’s organization benefits from promotion

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector)
(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector)

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office raised $3,386.72 for the Alzheimer’s Family Organization through its charitable giving promotion. The AFO provides educational programs, support services and assistance to caregivers, families and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. From left are Mike Fasano, Pasco County tax collector; Kathleen Mengele, AFO board member; Kathleen Winters, AFO executive director; Michelle Vancuren, manager of the tax collector’s Dade City office; T.C. Daerda, Pasco County tax collector’s director of human resources; and, Vickie Johnson, customer service representative of the tax collector’s New Port Richey office.

Resident of the Year

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(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Dr. James Sheppard (center) receives his recognition plaque from Dr. Joseph Pino, left, and Dr. Michael Strobbe of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Sheppard was honored as Resident of the Year during the hospital’s Graduate Medical Education Program’s first commencement ceremony. Also recognized was Dr. Joseph Sennabaum as Faculty Physician of the Year.

Medical marijuana on Pasco agenda

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Medical marijuana is slated to be a topic of discussion when Pasco County commissioners host a public workshop on Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey.

The county’s legal staff currently is reviewing land use and zoning regulations to craft an ordinance governing the future of medical marijuana within Pasco.

County commissioners requested a workshop to hear a range of opinions on the matter.

In August, commissioners extended a moratorium on the growth, processing and distribution of cannabis through the end of the year. The existing moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 1.

Cannabis is the basis for medical marijuana, which is legal in Florida in a low-level, non-euphoric form known as Charlotte’s web. Its use is limited to patients with cancer or seizure disorders.

At prior meetings, commissioners have heard from law enforcement about increased crime rates in states, such as Colorado and California, which have approved either medical marijuana or its recreational use. Substance abuse or prevention counselors have said they worry about increased use of marijuana, especially among youth.

But, commissioners also have heard from residents with chronic medical conditions, who say medical marijuana eases their pain and gives them a quality of life that traditional medicines don’t provide.

Whatever the county’s final ordinance, it will have to take into account a statewide Nov. 8 referendum on the issue. Voters will be asked if they want to expand the list of illnesses that can be treated with medical marijuana, and if stronger strains can be prescribed and dispensed.

Published September 14, 2016

Biometric ID device now in use at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills

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Patients visiting Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will now encounter a high-tech identification device at the medical center.

PatientSecure, a device that images veins in the hand, is now being used to register and identify all patients.

PatientSecure — manufactured by Imprivata, a Massachusetts-based IT Company — uses infrared light to scan a patient’s palm, and then links the unique vein pattern to each patient’s electronic health record. (Courtesy of Imprivata)
PatientSecure — manufactured by Imprivata, a Massachusetts-based IT Company — uses infrared light to scan a patient’s palm, and then links the unique vein pattern to each patient’s electronic health record.
(Courtesy of Imprivata)

The biometric identification solution—manufactured by Imprivata, a Massachusetts-based IT Company — uses infrared light to scan a patient’s palm, and then links the unique vein pattern to each patient’s electronic health record.

The new apparatus was introduced at the hospital on Sept. 6. Hospital officials claim the device reduces paperwork, improves accuracy and helps to prevent identity theft.

“This technology streamlines the registration process by automatically pulling up a patient’s record, provides added protection from medical identity theft, and ensures each patient is correctly linked to their unique medical record,” said Gwen Alonso, the hospital’s chief nursing officer.

Nationwide, the number of patients at risk of encountering medical identification issues is staggering.

A 2012 health care report by the Wall Street Journal shows that 7 percent to 10 percent of patients are misidentified during medical record searches.

Moreover, a 2015 study by the Medical Identify Theft Alliance estimates that 2.3 million individuals are affected by medical identity theft annually, a figure growing by about 22 percent per year.

Mike Vanderbilt, the hospital’s director of patient access, said the palm vein technology is more secure than if a patient provided insurance or Social Security numbers, which can easily be swapped or transposed during identification.

That helps reduce the risk of duplicate medical records, and errors in charting, he explained.

“The palm vein is more accurate than any of that other data,” Vanderbilt said.

PatientSecure, a device that images veins in the hand, is now being used to register and identify all patients at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Benefits of the new apparatus include reduced paperwork and improved accuracy, hospital officials say, as well as helping to prevent identity theft. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Hospital)
PatientSecure, a device that images veins in the hand, is now being used to register and identify all patients at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Benefits of the new apparatus include reduced paperwork and improved accuracy, hospital officials say, as well as helping to prevent identity theft.
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

“Once they’re scanned, it attaches that palm vein image to their record,” he said. “It actually assigns a series of unique code numbers to that patient, so the next time they come in, they can scan their hand…and it brings them right up in the computer system.”

PatientSecure also could be a lifesaving tool, in some instances.

Should an individual arrive to the facility in an unconscious state, or is unable to communicate, their hand can be placed on the device to reveal their electronic health record (medical history, allergies, current medications).

“If they had been put into this system at some point previously, it would pull them right up as well, without ever talking to them,” Vanderbilt said.

He noted the new registration process is “very quick” for patients.

“It really doesn’t add much to their registration experience as far as the timing goes,” Vanderbilt said. The hospital also has received positive feedback from patients, he added.

The identification tool is equally “very straightforward” for medical staff to utilize and access, Vanderbilt said.

“It’s a USB — sort of a plug and play into our computer system,” Vanderbilt said. “It’s kind of like if you just hook up a mouse to a computer, and of course there’s all the software and everything behind it.”

Should the identification system malfunction or crash, only then would patients be required to verify personal information — name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and address — to medical staff.

“If it were ever to go down, it’s similar to when you call your bank or your credit card company or even your cable company — they make you tell them who you are,” explained Vanderbilt.

“The palm scan is just one extra step that in the future will prevent us from having to ask all those questions. But, that would be the fallback if the system were down — we would still go through some verification steps to confirm their identity,” he said.

PatientSecure is currently being rolled out through Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’ parent company, Adventist Health System, which operates 46 facilities in 10 states.

According to Vanderbilt, the palm vein technology also will be installed in Florida Hospital-owned physician offices and other long-term care facilities.

“It’ll help make the coordination of care better,” he said.

Vanderbilt added: “It’s all linked to that one palm scan, so the whole continuum of health care — as long as the patient is using Florida Hospital — will be more streamlined.”

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, a 139-bed regional medical center, is at 7050 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. For additional information, visit FHZeph.org.

Published September 14, 2016

Health News 09/14/2016

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Volunteer star awards
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point honored volunteers with second quarter Star Awards.

Five Star Award winners, from left, Vikki Neftleberg, June Combs and Barbara Ahlhelm. (Photos courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
Five Star Award winners, from left, Vikki Neftleberg, June Combs and Barbara Ahlhelm.
(Photos courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
  • Barbara Ahlhelm, Five Star. Ahlhelm started volunteering in 2006 and has accumulated more than 2,200 hours of service working at Welcome Center D.
  • June Combs, Five Star. Combs has nearly 14 years of volunteer service and more than 6,500 accumulated hours at the volunteer office and Welcome Center D.
  • Vikki Neftleberg, Five Star. Neftleberg has volunteered at Welcome A since 2009 and is now assistant treasurer.
  • Bonnie Kowalewski, One Star. Kowalewski began volunteering in 2014 and has been a courier, volunteer ambassador and mail courier.

    One Star Award winners, from left, Genevieve VanSteen, Bonnie Kowalewski and Charles Hartjes.
    One Star Award winners, from left, Genevieve VanSteen, Bonnie Kowalewski and Charles Hartjes.
  • Charles Hartjes, One Star. Hartjes has been volunteering since 2013 at Welcome Door D and has accumulated nearly 1,000 service hours.
  • Genevieve VanSteen, One Star. VanSteen has been volunteering since 2010 and has accumulated more than 1,000 hours as a chaplain’s aid.

 

 

New board members
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation has selected nine East Pasco individuals to serve two, two-year terms as members of its board. They join 11 other board volunteers currently serving. New members are Kristen Cabot Brady, Centennial Middle School; Kathy Britton, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; Randy Bush, Hodges Family Funeral Home; Paul Correia, Sun State Aluminum Inc.; Rashmi Ferris, Florida Hospital Physician Group; Sarah Asaftei McDugal, Zephyrhills Health & Rehab; Edwin J. Rogers, Heidt Design; Jason Sasser, JSC Real Estate Group; and, Chief Ray Velboom, Dade City Police Department.

Zephyrhills company offers EpiPen at no upcharge

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In lieu of the soaring costs for an EpiPen, one local pharmacy chain is offering the life saving, anti-allergic reaction device at no upcharge.

The Canadian Medstore, based out of Zephyrhills, says their cost for an EpiPen Twin Pack is $180, compared to the over $700 being retailed at traditional area pharmacies.

Mylan, the makers of the EpiPen, recently announced it would produce a generic version that it would sell for $300 a two-pack. That move came after intense criticism following the company’s announcement that it was increasing the price of the product by nearly 400 percent. The device, which was sold at a wholesale price of just under $60 in 2007, has risen to $600 for a two-pack in 2016. It marks the product’s 15th price hike over the past seven years. (Courtesy of Mylan)
Mylan, the makers of the EpiPen, recently announced it would produce a generic version that it would sell for $300 a two-pack. That move came after intense criticism following the company’s announcement that it was increasing the price of the product by nearly 400 percent. The device, which was sold at a wholesale price of just under $60 in 2007, has risen to $600 for a two-pack in 2016. It marks the product’s 15th price hike over the past seven years.
(Courtesy of Mylan)

Mylan, the makers of the EpiPen, recently announced it would offer a generic version that would sell for $300 a two-pack. That move came after the company drew intense criticism for increasing its product price by nearly 400 percent.

The device, which was sold at a wholesale price of just under $60 in 2007, has risen to $600 for a two-pack in 2016. It marks the product’s 15th price hike over the past seven years.

The Canadian Medstore, which opened in 2003, has international contracts with pharmacies based in Australia, Canada, England and New Zealand.

In those countries, medications are often 60 percent to 70 percent less expensive than in the United States.

Bill Hepscher, director and founder of the Canadian Medstore, said the company typically “averaged one or two orders in a month” for the EpiPen, but is now seeing a surge in calls from more families requesting the anti-anaphylaxis device.

“We’re literally getting five or 10 calls a day now,” Hepscher said, noting that most of his clientele are seniors on fixed incomes, and families that are uninsured or have high deductible health plans.

Hepscher often witnesses the costs of prescriptions “being a huge issue for families.” But, the EpiPen is a unique situation, he said, because it can mean  “life or death for a child.”

“It’s literally the definition of holding a gun to the head because there’s not another option,” he said. “I think that’s why there’s so much outrage.”

Nut and bee allergies are oftentimes hereditary, leading to multiple children or parents needing the product, Hepscher explained.

“Sometimes it’s two or three kids that have the same allergies, and the parent is not only going in and paying $600, but $1,800,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy when you think about a family having to spend that kind of money on a prescription.”

The Canadian Medstore, based out of Zephyrhills, says their cost for an EpiPen Twin Pack is $180, compared to the over $700 being retailed at traditional area pharmacies. (Courtesy of Bill Hepscher)
The Canadian Medstore, based out of Zephyrhills, says their cost for an EpiPen Twin Pack is $180, compared to the over $700 being retailed at traditional area pharmacies.
(Courtesy of Bill Hepscher)

The Medstore, which has six locations throughout central Florida, doesn’t hold any medications on its shelves. Instead, via its customer service center, the company sends prescriptions — which must be filled by an American doctor — to licensed pharmacies in one of those aforementioned four countries. Medications are then mailed directly to patients.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg Businessweek, an EpiPen costs “just several dollars to make,” and contains about “$1 or so worth of epinephrine.”

Hepscher believes the pricing should be in “a more reasonable range,” but also understands the pricing structures of some pharmaceutical giants.

“Of course the argument could be made that it costs so much money to come up with these products,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of family members that if it wasn’t for modern pharmacology, we probably wouldn’t be here anymore. I think the pharmacy industry, in general…is a super innovative industry, and I really believe that there’s a lot of really good, smart people working hard…to make our lives better.

“All I do know is that we can get the same exact medication in Canada or England for a third of the price, so I think that speaks volumes.”

The Canadian Medstore is located at 38176 Medical Center Ave. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit its website at DrugstoreUnlimited.com.

Published September 7, 2016

Health News 09/07/2016

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Local company to provide EpiPen at cost
The Canadian Medstore, which operates six offices throughout Central Florida, has announced that its pharmacy fulfillment partners will suspend all markups and will offer EpiPen at cost. Families can source an EpiPen Twin Pack for $180, rather than over $700 at traditional pharmacies.

The Canadian Medstore opened its first storefront location in Zephyrhills in 2003.

For more information, contact Bill Hepscher at (813) 788-2007 or .

 

(Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)
(Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)

Physician of the Year
The Medical Center of Trinity has honored Dr. Stephen Hanff, board certified orthopedic surgeon, as its Physician of the Year. Hanff was chosen among 35 nominees for the award.

Hanff received his undergraduate degree at the University of Miami and his medical degree from the Miller School of Medicine, where he was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

He graduated medical school with honors in 2004 and completed his internship and orthopedic residency at the University of Florida.

Concerns about Zika on the rise, poll says

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The level of unease about the Zika virus is on the rise in Florida, according to a new poll conducted by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute.

The online poll, which was conducted Aug. 14 to Aug. 18, surveyed 1,500 adults in Florida, according to a news release from Saint Leo University.

The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses. (File Photo)
The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses.
(File Photo)

Polling ended a day before Gov. Rick Scott announced that mosquitos are spreading the virus in the Miami area and five days before the governor announced a non-travel related case of Zika was found in Pinellas County, the release says.

The university’s August poll found that 79.3 percent of respondents say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the virus. Of those remaining, 1.1 percent say they are “somewhat unconcerned,” 7.5 percent indicate they are “not at all concerned,” and 2.1 percent say they are unsure or do not know enough to answer.

The poll had a plus or minus margin of error of 3.0 percent.

The polling institute’s June survey of 500 adults in Florida showed 71.2 percent of respondents expressing concern.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control describes the ailment as being caused by the Zika virus, which is spread mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus).

The virus can be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus. The CDC also confirmed that the virus is responsible for severe defects, including microcephaly, in unborn children. When delivered, such babies have abnormally small heads and often, brain defects.

The disease also can be spread through sexual contact, according to the CDC.

Many of those infected with the virus have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, according to the CDC. The symptoms can include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). There is no specific medication for the virus.

In general, people who are healthy and are not thinking of having children anytime soon have little to nothing to worry about from Zika, Dr. Cheryl Clauson, Saint Leo University assistant professor of biology said, in the release.

“There may be an association between Zika and Guillain-Barré syndrome, however, this only occurs in a very small number of people who contract Zika,” Clauson said.

But, she continued, “pregnant women need to be very careful about traveling to the affected areas of Miami. Pregnant women should avoid the area altogether if possible, postponing non-essential travel as needed. If a woman who is currently pregnant lives in these areas of Miami, she should talk to her health care provider about getting tested for Zika during her pregnancy. Her partner would need to use condoms throughout the pregnancy to prevent possibly passing Zika to her.”

The Saint Leo biologist advised couples who are considering having children to wait at least eight weeks after returning from a Zika-affected area before trying to get pregnant, even if the woman does not have a confirmed case. “Men who did not have a confirmed Zika infection should also wait eight weeks. However, if he had a confirmed Zika infection, he should wait six months before trying to get pregnant with his female partner,” Clauson said.

Florida’s counties are taking steps to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds and prevent the spread of the Zika virus. The Aedes species are “aggressive daytime biters,” according to the CDC, but also can bite at night.

Clauson recommends using insect repellants with particular active ingredients: DEET, IR3535, oil of eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or picaridin. “Because many people who use repellant may also use sunscreen, the repellant should be applied after sunscreen is applied,” she said.

Floridians also should empty anything outside their houses that could hold standing water—planters, small boats, pet bowls—to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in those containers.

Protect yourself from the Zika virus
To help protect yourself, the CDC recommends people:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out
  • Sleep under a mosquito net if you are outdoors or unable to keep mosquitoes out
  • Use repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Follow product label instructions
  • Reapply as directed

The CDC also offers these additional tips: Do not spray repellent on skin under clothing, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent and do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.

To protect your child, dress him or her in clothing that covers the arms and legs. Also, do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, or cut or irritated skin.

Published August 31, 2016