Latest news with #WDH
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wyoming confirms 1st measles case in 15 years as infections near 30-year high in US
Wyoming is reporting its first measles case in 15 years as the infectious disease continues to spread across the United States. The state's Department of Health said on Tuesday that it had confirmed a case in an unvaccinated child in Natrona County, which is located in the central part of the state and includes the town of Casper. The pediatric case is the first reported in Wyoming since 2010, according to the WDH. MORE: US measles cases nearing 30-year high It's unclear how the child became sick, and no other identifying details were provided including name, age or sex. A release from the WDH said the child was infectious while in the emergency department waiting room at Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper on Thursday, June 24, from 11 a.m. MT to 1 p.m. MT and on Friday, June 25, from 12:55 p.m. MT to 2:55 p.m. MT. The WDH said it is working with Banner Wyoming Medical Center to notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles during those times. "We are asking individuals who were potentially exposed to self-monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date and consider avoiding crowded public places or high-risk settings such as daycare centers," Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer with the WDH, said in the release. Wyoming is the 37th state to confirm a case of measles this year as infections near a 30-year high in the U.S. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 1,227 cases have been confirmed, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. is currently on track to surpass the 1,274 cases seen in 2019 and is expected to see the highest number of cases since 1992. MORE: Amid growing Texas outbreak, how contagious is measles? There have been three confirmed deaths so far this year, two among unvaccinated children in Texas and one among an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. Among the nationally confirmed cases, the CDC says 95% are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Meanwhile, 2% of cases are among those who have received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and 3% of cases are among those who received the recommended two doses, according to the CDC. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is preventable," Harrist said in the release. "The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing long-lasting protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, and we recommend that all Wyoming residents ensure they and their children are up to date on MMR vaccinations." As of 2023, the latest year for which data is available, at least 93% of kindergartners in Wyoming had received at least one MMR dose, including 96% of kindergartners in Natrona County, where the new case was confirmed, according to the WDH.
02-07-2025
- Health
Wyoming confirms 1st case of measles in 15 years as infections near 30-year high in US
Wyoming is reporting its first measles case in 15 years as the infectious disease continues to spread across the United States. The state's Department of Health said on Tuesday that it had confirmed a case in an unvaccinated child in Natrona County, which is located in the central part of the state and includes the town of Casper. The pediatric case is the first reported in Wyoming since 2010, according to the WDH. It's unclear how the child became sick, and no other identifying details were provided including name, age or sex. A release from the WDH said the child was infectious while in the emergency department waiting room at Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper on Thursday, June 24, from 11 a.m. MT to 1 p.m. MT and on Friday, June 25, from 12:55 p.m. MT to 2:55 p.m. MT. The WDH said it is working with Banner Wyoming Medical Center to notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles during those times. "We are asking individuals who were potentially exposed to self-monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date and consider avoiding crowded public places or high-risk settings such as daycare centers," Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer with the WDH, said in the release. Wyoming is the 37th state to confirm a case of measles this year as infections near a 30-year high in the U.S. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 1,227 cases have been confirmed, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. is currently on track to surpass the 1,274 cases seen in 2019 and is expected to see the highest number of cases since 1992. There have been three confirmed deaths so far this year, two among unvaccinated children in Texas and one among an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. Among the nationally confirmed cases, the CDC says 95% are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Meanwhile, 2% of cases are among those who have received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and 3% of cases are among those who received the recommended two doses, according to the CDC. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is preventable," Harrist said in the release. "The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing long-lasting protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, and we recommend that all Wyoming residents ensure they and their children are up to date on MMR vaccinations." As of 2023, the latest year for which data is available, at least 93% of kindergartners in Wyoming had received at least one MMR dose, including 96% of kindergartners in Natrona County, where the new case was confirmed, according to the WDH.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Flats which spoil castle view to be demolished
Four blocks of 1960s flats in Pontefract town centre are to be demolished because they spoil the view of the town's 955-year-old castle ruins. Wakefield Council has given the go-ahead for Violet Pritchard House, Silkstone House, Francis Lane House and Warren House - part of the Horsefair Flats complex - to be bulldozed. The council's conservation officer said: "The scale and form of the flats abruptly contrasts with the historic context of the area, and in particular undermines the significance of the castle." The social housing provider plans to replace the buildings with new housing projects, according to documents submitted to the local authority. Approving the proposals, a planning officer's report said it was accepted the flats "contribute little from a visual perspective to the local area" and their demolition would be "beneficial". A heritage statement said the buildings are within the Pontefract Castle conservation area and less than 300m from the medieval monument. According to the statement, the buildings make a "negative contribution" to the area and their demolition would be a "minor enhancement". The castle was built in about 1070 by Ilbert de Lacy on land granted to him by William the Conqueror as a reward for his support during the Norman Conquest The deposed King Richard II was captured in August 1399 and initially imprisoned in the Tower of London, before he was moved to Pontefract Castle where he died in February 1400 Royalists controlled Pontefract Castle at the start of the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell led the final siege of the site which finally fell to his Parliamentarians in 1649 Parliament decided the castle should be demolished, preventing it from being used against them in the future. Many of the buildings in the local area are made from stones recycled from the castle Source: Duchy of Lancaster Wakefield District Housing (WDH) submitted an application to knock down the buildings in December last year. The flats are currently vacant after former residents were housed elsewhere. The demolition phase is expected to take about 40 weeks to complete and the site will then be grassed over until redevelopment takes place. WDH said it intended to submit a separate planning application for a new housing project on the land. Planning permission was granted with a condition that a full archaeological recording takes place at the site before further development is carried out. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Flood concerns over large housing development Housing plans near Norman castle spark concerns Development would 'ruin' castle views - objectors Wakefield Council Wakefield District Housing
