The Manchester Health Department has recently become aware of a report of a person falsely representing themselves as an food inspector. Please know that the Manchester Health Department inspectors always wear a city issued photo identification and present it when identifying ourselves to our establishments. We will never ask for, nor will we accept any payments outside of the office, nor do we charge a fee for inspections and services.
If you suspect an imposter, ask to see the individuals identification which has the city seal, their name, and position clearly displayed. When in doubt, contact the Manchester Police Department and the Manchester Health Department.
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NH Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street – Hugh Gallen State Office Park
Concord, NH 03301
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PRESS RELEASE
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Public Information Office
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February 18, 2022
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(603) 271-9389
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NH DHHS Warns Residents Not to Use Certain Powdered Infant Formulas Produced at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI Facility
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is advising consumers not to use certain Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas due to an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Cronobacter and Salmonella infections in infants who have consumed the product. There have been no reported illnesses in New Hampshire associated with this investigation.
The FDA, CDC, and public health and regulatory officials in several states (including Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas), are investigating complaints that include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infection and one report of Salmonella Newport infection. All of the cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula (IF) produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. Testing within the Sturgis, MI facility identified several environmental samples that were positive for the Cronobacter sakazakii, but there were no detections of Salmonella Newport. Importantly, no finished or distributed product has tested positive for either of these bacteria.
The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:
- the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37, AND
- the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, AND
- the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
The product code is printed on the product packaging near the expiration date (see product image below). Products that do not contain the information listed above are not impacted by this advisory. This advisory does not include liquid formula products or any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas. Consumers should continue to use all product not covered by this advisory. Parents and caregivers can go to www.similacrecall.com and enter the code found on the bottom of the infant formula package to see if their product is included in the recall.
“Due to the long shelf life of these products, it is important for consumers to check their pantries for any recalled product,” said Tricia Tilley, Director, Division of Public Health Services. “Consumers should throw it away or return to the place of purchase for an exchange or refund.”
Cronobacter sakazakii is a bacterium found naturally in the environment and can live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula, powdered milk, and starches. Cronobacter can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages, but infection can be severe in infants and lead to blood steam infections (sepsis) or central nervous system infections like meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord). The first symptoms of infection in infants usually include a fever, poor feeding, crying and irritability, and very low energy. Salmonella infection can also cause a febrile diarrheal illness.
Additionally, these products are approved formulas of the NH Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Families enrolled in the WIC Program who purchased any of the recalled formula should discard it immediately. All families with an infant enrolled in the New Hampshire WIC program, will receive communication from their WIC office informing them of the recall. Families with questions should call either their local WIC office or the State WIC office at 1-800-942-4321.
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should notify your child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for your child right away.
The DHHS Division of Public Health Services continues to follow this outbreak closely, including investigation of any reported cases in close coordination with the CDC and the FDA, and will provide updates as they become available. To report a suspected illness associated with this investigation contact the DPHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.
For further information visit:
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Click here to get PDF Version
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The National Weather Service has issued a “Heat Advisory” for Wednesday and it is anticipated (high confidence) that additional Heat Advisories will be needed for Thursday and Friday with Heat indices approaching or exceeding 100F.
Please find attached a press release for this event. Para Español presione aqui
There are a few additions to this press release from the previous heat-related press releases:
- The West Side Branch of the Library is now open (see hours)
- Raco Theodore Pool is now open.
- Language has been added to reflect the current level of community COVID-19 transmission and the CDC Guidance pertaining to the use of masks in the indoor setting, regardless of vaccination status.
We will be monitoring the situation and will provide updates, if conditions warrant.
Stay safe and well.
NH Fisher Cats and Manchester Health Department Partner to Provide Covid-19 Vaccines
Manchester, NH - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) in partnership with the Manchester Health Department will be offiering a free COVID-19 vaccination 'Pop-Up Clinic' at the upcoming game on Wednesday June 30th, against the Portland Sea Dogs from 5-8 pm., outside the main entrance of the Delta Dental Stadium. Game Tickets are not required to receive the vaccine.
Anyone aged 12 or older is welcome, and the children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present. The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), one does vaccine will be availble for people 18 and older and the Pfizer/BioNTech, two dose vaccine will be available for people 12 years of age or older.
"Our best weapon against COVID-19, including any future variants, is to have as many people fully vaccinated as possible," said Phil Alexakos, Chief Operations Officer, City of Manchester Health Department. "We continue to work with our community partners to offer COVID-19 vaccines in a variety of settings to make them as convenient as possible, and we're glad to have Fisher Cats joining us in the effort.
A 2-for-1 Fisher Cats Ticket voucher will be made availble for those who choose to recieve the vaccine.
"We're thankful for the oppertunity to work with the Manchester Health Department and serve as a vaccination site on Wednesday." said Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw. "It's been a thrill to reopen our gates and see fans return to the ballpark this season, and we look forward to continue providing a safe, family-friendly atmosphere all summer long."
Download the offical Press Release here.
Greetings food establishment owners and operators,
The Governor’s office has issued new and updated guidance with regards to Retail Operations, and Food Service entities.
Restaurants and Dining
Retail Establishments
Please click on the links to read the updated guidance.
Greetings,
As you may have heard in the media, the Governor announced yesterday an update to the Safer at Home Restaurant Guidelines to include a new requirement for food establishments to collect contact information from diners to aid in contact tracing efforts should a COVID 19 case be linked to the establishment (see attached). This change in the guidance was requested and endorsed by the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association and is consistent with requirements in other New England States.
The new language regarding the contact tracing information collection is as follows:
“Solely for contact tracing purposes, restaurants shall maintain a record of
customers, including one customer name and contact phone number per party, the
table number or bar seat number, the server or bartenders name, and the date and
time they were in the establishment, for at least 21 days. To-go and window service
areas are exempt from this requirement”
SOURCE: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt381/files/files/inline-documents/guidance-restaurants.pdf
Q: Why is this important?
A: This information is critical in the contact tracing process. If a worker or patron is found to be infectious, public health officials will be able to quickly and thoroughly identify close contacts and contact them to allow for quarantine of those individuals in hopes to minimize any additional spread of COVID-19.
Additionally, when public health officials are unable to determine who was exposed to COVID-19 in a particular setting, through contact tracing, we have an obligation to make the public aware of a possible exposure. This requirement, when followed, would assure that all potential contacts would be able to be identified for follow-up and as such would minimize the need for these broad notifications.
Everything we do to minimize the spread of COVID-19, helps us reduce the need to enact additional restrictions in the community. Everyone wants to return to pre-COVID operations, but we cannot let our guard down.
Additional questions and answers:
Q: Do these requirements apply to small ‘Mom & Pop’ sized restaurants where customers seat themselves at open tables?
A: Yes, they do. They apply to any place where people actually sit and eat – either indoors or outdoors.
Q: Would the establishment have to ask the customer at the counter when they place their order and then somehow document where the customers sit?
A: Yes, The business either needs to ask the customers at the counter or go over to their tables and ask the information.
Note: If the business does not currently have a table numbering system, they should create one now so they can record that information and any contact information they can obtain from the customers.
Q: As a result of this guidance change, should a restaurant deny service to customers who prefer not to provide a name and phone number?
A: No. A food establishment should make an effort to collect this information, but a customer providing this information to the restaurant is not a requirement for them to be provided service.
That said, there is nothing that prevents a food establishment from making this a requirement for service as part of their own policies. This is in the best interest of food establishments to avoid the possibility of public notifications when exposed contacts cannot be identified.
Karaoke:
Q: Is karaoke allowed as are solo musical performers?
A: NO. Karaoke is NOT allowed in indoor settings. Only outdoor karaoke is permitted and shared microphones are not allowed.
More information on the broad range of industry specific guidance documents can be found here: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/
The City of Manchester Health Department Urges All Manchester Residents
to Follow Five Recommendations to Prevent a Surge in COVID-19 Cases
1. To universally wear masks.
2. Maintain physical distancing.
3. Avoid congregate settings or crowds.
4. Do more outdoors, as opposed to indoors.
5. Wash hands frequently.
Please read the full Press Release following this link: Five Funadamentals Press Release
As the City of Manchester and the State of New Hampshire look forward to the re-opening of businesses across the state; The Governor’s economic reopening taskforce has released the Food Service reopening guidance. The updated guidance is effective on October 30th, 2020.
Click on Safer at Home to view the entire pdf.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has identified the first batch of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this season. The batch was found recently in the city of Manchester. DHHS is working in partnership with the City of Manchester Health Department on providing additional risk mitigation information to Manchester residents and surrounding towns.
Please read the the full press realease for more information and prevention guidelines. NH DHHS West Nile Virus Press Realease
The samples collected on August 12, 2020 are within acceptable bathing limits and the Public beach swimming area and facility may resume normal operations.
Please read the Official Press Release Here
The Manchester Health Department announced today that the public beach at Crystal Lake is closed to swimming due to elevated levels of E.coli bacteria. The elevated bacteria levels were identified in water samples taken on Monday, August 10, 2020. Water samples taken at other locations on Crystal Lake did not find elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
The Health Department has re-sampled the area and results from those samples are expected on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Once E. coli levels are found to be acceptable, the public beach will be re-opened for swimming. The Department will issue a press release when the results are available.
Weekly water sample results are available at:
http://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Health/Services/Water-Quality
Click here to view the Press Release
*Edit Wednesday August 12, 2020 resample results remain above acceptable levels; Beach closure to remain in effect. Re-sampling we be performed today results are expected Thursday August 13, 2020.
The Manchester Health Department has recently become aware of reports in other communities within the State regarding people falsely representing themselves as a food inspector. Please know that the Manchester Health Department inspectors always wear a city issued identification and present it when identifying ourselves to our establishments. We will never ask for, nor will we accept any payments outside of the office, nor do we charge a fee for inspections and services.
If you suspect an impostor, ask to see the individuals identification which has the city seal, their name, and position clearly displayed. When in doubt, contact the Manchester Police Department and the Manchester Health Department.
The Manchester Health Department is open for non-clinical services and by appointment only. Please call 624-6466 to schedule an appointment, M-F 8:00am-5:00pm. When you arrive please call 624-6466 to check –in. Clinical services will be available soon. Please check back frequently
The National Weather Service is forecasting an extended period of hot temperatures and high humidity beginning Thursday July 9 through at least Friday July 10. Please take the proper steps to stay safe during this heat wave.
Read Heat Prevention for more details.