MENINGITIS VACCINE
Have a child 18 years or younger?  Getting ready to send your young adult to college?  As the time approaches to begin the fall semester, there are many preparations needed.  The Midland Health Department hopes you will include a stop by their location on the to-do-list.

The Midland Health Department is now offering the meningitis vaccine for those 18 and  younger as part of the childhood immunization program.  The cost of the vaccine is $10.

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria.  Meningitis in an infection of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  Anyone can get meningococcal disease but it is most common in infants less than one year of age and in people with certain medical conditions.  College freshmen who live in dormitories have an increased risk of getting meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal infections can be treated with drugs such as penicillin.  Still, one out of every ten people who gets the disease dies from it, and many others are affected for life.  This is why preventing the disease through the use of the vaccine is important.

MOSQUITO CONTROL
West Texas received rain this week, however, with the rain comes the possibility of an increasing mosquito population.

The City of Midland is doing its part to control the mosquito population this summer.  Citizens are also being asked to take a few precautions to help eliminate the unwanted pest.

Parks Division staff fog for mosquitoes early in the morning when wind is at a minimum.  They also put pellets, larvicide, in standing water to prevent the mosquito larvae from maturing.

Citizens are asked to assist in the control of mosquitoes by emptying any bowls, old tires, flower pots, toys, etc., that collect water.  Wearing long sleeves and pants when outside in the evenings or wearing a repellent can help prevent bites.  Also, keep weeds and grass cut.

It usually takes ten days following a plentiful rain for mosquito larvae to develop into mosquitoes. 

Citizens can call the Health Department at 681-7613 to file a complaint about mosquitoes in their neighborhood.

MFD UNVEILS HONOR GUARD
After months of training, the Midland Fire Department’s Honor Guard will present the colors at their first public event.   The event will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Citibank Ball Park before the RockHounds baseball game.  The presentation of colors is scheduled to take place between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. prior to the game.  The event also hosts the City of Midland’s annual employee picnic in which hundreds of co-workers will gather together for a night of food and fun. 

The Honor Guard is made up of 14 volunteers who also work as Midland Fire Department firefighters.  This is the first organized honor guard for the MFD.  In the past, on at least two occasions, an honor guard was put together to attend funerals of firefighters.  However, since the events of September 11th, departments across the nation have formed Honor Guards.  MFD employees have been interested in joining in.  Their creation was made possible by a grant from the Abell-Hanger Foundation which was used to purchase flags, uniforms, and axes. 

The MFD Honor Guard hopes to help honor retired or present firefighters at funerals, as well as take part in parades and other civic events around the city.  They are also committed to helping our surrounding counties that may not have an Honor Guard.  The MFD Honor Guard looks forward to working with the MPD Honor Guard in the future.