September 17, 2007

YELLOW FEVER
The Midland Health Department will now offer the Yellow Fever Vaccine.  The vaccine is mainly used for those traveling to other countries.  The cost is $80 a dose and can be given to anyone from 9 months and up.

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It has caused large epidemics in tropical areas of Africa and the Americas.

Only a handful of cases have been documented in the U.S. in the past 80 years, all unvaccinated people that traveled to or came from high-risk areas. People are at risk if they travel to an area where yellow fever is seen in humans or monkeys (endemic areas) and there are mosquitoes to spread the virus. Even so, the risk for illness when traveling to these areas is considered small.

Yellow fever is preventable by a relatively safe, effective vaccine. The single-dose 'live' vaccine is recommended for people 9 months of age and older. The vaccine becomes protective after 10 days, and provides immunity to a vaccinated individual for 10 years or more.

Please call the Midland Health Department at 681.7613 for availability.

FATALITY ACCIDENT
Midland Police were called to the scene of a fatal motorcycle accident at approximately 4:18 p.m. on September 15, 2007. 

When they arrived in the 2400 block of Whitmire, just west of Garfield, one man was deceased.  According to witnesses, a 2003 Honda motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Whitmire.  A gray or silver extended cab pickup was traveling westbound on Whitmire and made a left hand turn into an apartment complex entrance.  The truck made the turn in front of the approaching motorcycle.  The driver of the motorcycle laid down the bike, the driver falling at the entrance to the apartment complex while the motorcycle slid down the street.  It is believed that the truck made contact with the driver of the motorcycle at the entrance to the apartment complex.  Witnesses then report the truck turned around and exited the parking lot. 

27-year-old Loren Dustin Davidson of Midland, the driver of the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene.  He was not wearing a helmet.

Police are searching for the driver of the truck involved in accident.  The vehicle is described as a light gray or silver double cab, 150 pickup.  The truck could possibly have sustained damage to the right backside.  The truck was occupied by two white males, possibly in their late teens or early twenties. 

Officers continue to investigate the accident.

Anyone with information regarding the truck and its driver should contact the Midland Police Department at 685.7108.

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