
Have you started spring cleaning yet? Even if you haven’t, this is a great time to tackle your bathroom — especially your medicine cabinet.
If you have unused medications piling up, 

 is almost here. 
Various locations around Morgantown will be set up by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department so people can drop off medications that are no longer being used. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27.
Coordinated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), this event is typically held twice a year, in April and October, to provide the opportunity for the safe disposal of drugs that might be around the house.
There are several reasons why this is important. Two of the major ones are environmental and the safety of household members.
The

warns against flushing any drugs, unless instructions say to do so, so that the medications do not reach the wastewater system. The same could be said for just throwing away prescriptions, which could end up in a landfill and eventually get into a body of water.
Drug take-back events are the No. 1 recommended way to dispose of drugs, according to the EPA.
An acceptable second choice requires a bit of a process to safely put them in the garbage. Guidance calls for taking the meds out of their original bottle, mingling them with a substance such as kitty litter or coffee grounds and then putting them in something like a plastic margarine container.
However, garbage disposal of drugs can also lead to dogs, cats and other animals getting sick if they decide to rummage through the trash. Did you know that human medications are the leading cause of pet poisoning?
Plus, it just seems easier to take them to Pierpont Landing Pharmacy or to Suncrest Kroger, to name a couple of the National Prescription Drug Take Back locations.
The other reason to dispose of the medications is that you don’t want any children or family members with memory issues to take prescriptions that are not meant for them, or to take the wrong dosage.
According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

, the leading causes of emergency department visits for adverse drug events are blood thinners, antibiotics, diabetes medications and opioid analgesics, such as tramadol or fentanyl.
And, notes the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many prescriptions, especially those to help individuals sleep or treat pain as well as anxiety and other mood disorders, are often misused. Keeping them in a safe place, or, if possible, safely getting rid of them, is important.
Speaking of which, both Monongalia County Health Department and the 

Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT)

 recommend a product to actually keep in your medicine cabinet at all times: naloxone. Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. While many might not believe that’s not something they need to worry about, keep in mind that the aforementioned children, individuals with memory issues or just about anybody could get into a legitimately prescribed medication or take the incorrect dosage and need to be revived.
Also, unfortunately, there has been a rise of recreational drugs being cut with or otherwise laced with deadly fentanyl. This has been increasingly affecting families in the United States, often with heartbreaking results. It’s always better to be prepared for any situation.
In addition to the Suncrest Towne Centre Kroger and Pierpont Landing Pharmacy, other National Prescription Drug Take Back locations include the Village at Heritage Point, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, Mon Health Medical Center and Sam’s Club Pharmacy.
Additional locations might be announced before the event takes place. Check out this 

 for more sites and information.
And if you can’t make it on April 27, both the Morgantown and Granville police departments have year-round drop-off bins.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department. 

Happy spring. Clean out your medicine cabinet!

When I first wrote about infant immunization after joining Monongalia County Health Department nearly seven years ago, I was able to state that many of today’s practicing physicians had never seen a case of measles.
While West Virginia had, until this week, remained measles-free because of strong vaccination laws, since 2019, there have been outbreaks in several states, including most of the ones that surround us.
A disease that had been declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 re-emerged less than 20 years later because of lax vaccination laws in other states.
Coincidentally, just as 

 was about to get underway on Monday, a measles case was confirmed at WVU Medicine, the first in our state since 2009. Now Monongalia County Health Department is working to track down the potential 150-200 individuals who might have been exposed by this one case to alert them that they might have encountered this highly contagious disease.
As I noted back in 2018, in the 1950s, nearly every child eventually came down with a case of measles. Unfortunately, some died from the disease; others suffered severe symptoms. Polio was also known to hit children and adults back then as well. And now, you may have heard that a case of polio was diagnosed in New York in 2022.
But unlike back in the 1950s, thanks to immunizations, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before the age of 2. According to the Centers for 

, routine childhood immunizations in one birth cohort prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 early deaths over the course of this group’s lifetimes.
The measles vaccine requires two doses; the young adult who came down with measles only had one of them.
Established in 1994, National Infant Immunization Week provides the opportunity to highlight how successful vaccines have been and to remind parents that immunizations are an important part of raising a healthy baby. As we’ve noted, vaccines have been a victim of their own success, which downplays their importance in the minds of some younger parents who never had to worry about these diseases.
To learn more about infant immunizations, the CDC publishes an easy-to-read 

showing which vaccines babies should get, how many doses and when.
And more in-depth information can be found at this 

The 10 immunizations and the 14 diseases they protect against are: hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, or whooping cough), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), PCV13 (pneumococcal disease), IPV (polio), flu (influenza), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox). Babies can also get vaccines for COVID-19 starting at the age of 6 months.
NIIW is celebrated as part of World Immunization Week, an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to promoting immunizations, the goal also is to advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services.
That’s where Monongalia County Health Department’s Clinical Services program comes into play. Through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), children ages 18 and younger can come to MCHD for immunizations if they meet certain criteria: If they are uninsured or underinsured because their insurance does not cover vaccinations or if they are American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Children who are enrolled in West Virginia Medicaid and West Virginia CHIP also qualify for this program. The Vaccines for Children Program is a federally-funded program that provides vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by CDC.
If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, call MCHD Clinical Services at 304-598-5119. And remember: Your child’s vaccination plan is one of the most important schedules for you to keep.


Now is truly the time to talk about infant immunization

MCHD working with WVU Medicine on first measles case since 2009

— Monongalia County Health Department was notified Sunday by officials from WVU Medicine of a confirmed case of measles (rubeola). MCHD was in contact with WVU Medicine once measles was suspected last week and the patient was instructed to isolate at home.
“Monongalia County Health Department is diligently working with WVU Medicine to identify all people who came into contact with the patient within the WVU Medicine system and is actively reaching out to inform those individuals of the exposure,” said Dr. Brian H. Huggins, MCHD’s incoming health officer.
“Additionally, MCHD is in conversation with the patient to identify other places this individual traveled while symptomatic.”
Any people identified through this investigation as having been exposed will also be notified, Dr. Huggins said.
The adult resident of Monongalia County developed symptoms and sought medical treatment through the WVU Medicine system. Upon symptom identification, the patient was instructed to isolate at home. Lab work was confirmed positive for measles on Sunday.
Once put into isolation, close contacts, including family members, were educated on isolation and symptom identification, said Edward Abbott, RN, program manager of MCHD Infection Control and Disease Prevention.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms of measles can present seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever that can spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will form, starting on the face and spreading downward to the trunk and limbs.
In one out of every 1,000 measles cases, patients can develop encephalitis and subsequent brain damage. One to 3 of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die from respiratory and/or neurologic complications.
“We really want to emphasize that this is an illness that people should take very seriously,” Dr. Huggins said.
The risk for fully vaccinated individuals of developing the disease is very low, he added. In an unvaccinated population, each infected person can on average spread the disease to nine or 10 people. If an individual with measles leaves a room, the virus can hang in the air and infect others for up to two hours.
People are contagious from four days prior to and four days after the rash appears, Huggins stated.
It’s important to note, Huggins added, that individuals who believe they have symptoms consistent with measles should first call their health-care provider’s office to make an arrangement to be seen safely.
“Because of the highly infectious nature of the disease, it is not recommended that individuals just present to a health-care facility,” Dr. Huggins added.
Measles was declared eradicated in 2000. Because of West Virginia’s strict school vaccination laws, the state had not been affected by recent outbreaks that have taken place in several areas of the United States. This is the first known measles case in West Virginia since 2009.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease via the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). To receive an MMR vaccine, call Monongalia County Health Department to make an appointment at 304-598-5119.
“Immunity from the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can wane over time. If you are concerned about your immunity status, you can ask your health-care provider to check for antibodies in your blood via a titer,” Dr. Huggins said.


MCHD working with WVU Medicine on first state measles case since 2009

MCHD will provide adult vaccines, blood screenings at health fair

Monongalia County Health Department will be participating in Woodland United Methodist Church’s Community Health Fair, which will take place at the church on Mileground Road from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20.
Nurses from MCHD Clinical Services will conduct low-cost blood screenings that require fasting and also will offer adult vaccines, including hepatitis A and B, Tdap, shingles, HPV and pneumonia.
“We’re always looking for outreach opportunities at Monongalia County Health Department, and this event is part of a grant that allows us to focus on getting health care to faith-based communities,” said Jennifer Goldcamp, RN, MCHD’s director of nursing.
The grant, through the National Association of County and Health Officials (NACCHO), is called Improving Vaccine Access, Education and Outreach through Faith-Based Partnerships.
“Through this grant, MCHD collaborates with faith-based partners to identify and implement strategies to help us better understand what we can do to overcome barriers that keep people from getting vaccines,” Goldcamp said.
Additionally, noted Woodland UMC outreach coordinator Sandy Rogers, representatives from different mental health agencies will be handing out information on their services.
“We want to help educate the community on the resources for health and mental health,” said Rogers, who is also a social worker. “Especially with mental health, a lot of people are struggling right now, and we might be able to help someone get the help they need.”
In addition to health services, attendees can also have their blood pressure taken and get information about the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program as well as diabetes. Dental products will also be available.
Woodland United Methodist Church will be offering a light breakfast for attendees.

MCHD will provide blood screenings, adult vaccines at Community Health Fair

Monongalia Co. QRT holds Free Naloxone Day on April 18 in six locales

 Members of the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT) will again be providing free life-saving medication for individuals who overdose on opioids during Free Naloxone Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

Stations will be set up at six locations around Morgantown and they will be staffed with Mon County QRT members and volunteers, who will distribute naloxone as well as fentanyl test strips, as well as demonstrate how to administer naloxone.

“We’ve been successful in teaching community members about naloxone and how to administer it for several years now,” said Brittany Irick, the QRT coordinator as well as a grant writer at Monongalia County Health Department.

“Now we’re accustomed to talking to individuals who are already familiar with naloxone and how to use it,” Irick added. “But we’re also happy to have the opportunity to educate new people about it.”

Stations will be set up at the Spruce Street United Methodist Church, McDonald’s restaurants in Westover and Sabraton, the WVU Health Sciences Center at the pylons, inside the WVU Student Rec Center and at the WVU Mountainlair by the main entrance.

“We feel it’s important to distribute naloxone not only to the community, but to also target West Virginia University students,” said Joe Klass, chief of operations for MCHD’s Threat Preparedness program as well as a paramedic who conducts naloxone training year-round.

“These days, it’s possible for students, or anyone, to be using recreational drugs and accidentally ingest fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is sometimes added to less dangerous drugs. It’s known to be deadly in very small quantities.”

This is why the fentanyl strips that are also distributed on Free Naloxone Day are also very important, Klass added.

Klass and Irick recommend keeping naloxone on hand in order to be ready to help anyone who might need it.

“It could be a stranger, a friend or even a member of your family,” Irick said.

It could be due to someone struggling with substance use disorder, but there also have been instances of elderly people or those with dementia taking the wrong dose of prescription medication.

“And we’ve also seen cases of children getting into a medicine cabinet,” Klass said. “Keeping naloxone in a first aid kit and your medicine cabinet at home, in addition to with you when you’re out and about, are great ideas.”

Naloxone binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone, according to information on the website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Mon County QRT will be distributing the Narcan brand of naloxone, which is easily administered nasally as a nose spray.

The Monongalia County QRT is made up of several community organizations, including West Virginia Sober Living, organized by Monongalia County Health Department, which receives grant money to operate it.

QRT members receive overdose reports from MECCA 911, EMS and police. Within 24-72 hours, members of WV PEERS, part of West Virginia Sober Living, make contact with the individuals to try to connect them with rehabilitation treatment as well as connect them to services.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering to help at Free Naloxone Day can sign up online. WVU students can sign up via

. These links are also on MCHD’s Facebook and Twitter pages for easier access.

“Free Naloxone Day is full of camaraderie and it feels great to meet people and help them learn how to give back to their community,” Irick said.


Monongalia County QRT holds Free Naloxone Day on April 18 in six locales

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day took place on April 2, but everybody knows that a good PB&J snack is awesome any time of the year.

What might be less obvious is all of the variations of this meal or snack that there are.

For this month’s WIC Kitchen, we’re providing two recipes that utilize these complementary flavors.

According to chef Justin Warner, in a blog published on The Splendid Table website, the pairing of peanut butter and jelly not only works, but it’s scientifically proven … sort of. It’s “the law of peanut butter and jelly, which is about dealing with fruitiness and fats.”

Plus, they just taste so yummy and comforting.

Instead of jelly, these recipes — a PB&J Smoothie and Strawberry Breakfast Tacos — use strawberries for that jam effect. Strawberries are in season right now, so they are less expensive to purchase and also super tasty.

They are also good for immune health, cognitive function, decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases and they aid in blood sugar regulation.

And then peanut butter is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which help to lower bad cholesterol, or LDL, while also increasing good cholesterol. Peanuts are also high in arginine, an amino acid that can prevent heart and vascular disease by promoting good blood vessel function.

When making your peanut butter selection at the supermarket, the key is choosing one with minimal ingredients, such as only peanuts or peanuts and salt. Avoid those with added sugar and extra oils.

The Strawberry Breakfast Tacos, by the way, actually require a pancake instead of a hard shell, which might just lead to a new trend of making an old-fashioned PB&J with a flapjack instead of bread.

Whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Combine egg, milk, canola oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease griddle. Use a ½ cup to pour batter onto griddle; cook until bubbles on top begin to pop and bottoms are golden brown. Turn, cook until second side is golden brown.

Meanwhile, beat together cream cheese and yogurt. Spread over pancakes; top with strawberries. Fold up.

Optional: Top with honey, peanut butter or fruit of choice

Items marked with an asterisk* are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Please contact us at 304-598-5181 for more information.

WIC Kitchen: Mixing it up with PB&J

The Monongalia County Board of Health will meet virtually at 11 a.m. Thursday to address Environmental Health fees that are changing due to the Legislature removing them from the West Virginia State Code. The public 30-day notice period ended on Friday, April 5. Email Kelly.A.Grow@wv.gov by 4 p.m. Wednesday to receive a link to the meeting. 

Board of Health Meeting on Thursday

Perhaps you are specifically planning to watch the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse at an event or with friends.
Or maybe you just plan to go about your regular Monday.
Either way, there are some things you should know about what will be happening in the sky and how to stay safe.
Jason E. Ybarra is the director of the 

 as well as a teaching assistant professor in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The planetarium will be hosting an event on the back lawn of the WVU Mountainlair from 1:30 to 4 p.m., providing telescopes with eclipse filters and other types of equipment to allow attendees to safely view the eclipse.
And that’s the most important thing to remember: No matter what you are doing — participating in an event or running errands in your car or taking a walk — DO NOT look up at the eclipse without using special glasses or equipment.
“The level of light, even if it’s a partial eclipse, is enough to damage your retinas,” Dr. Ybarra said. “Even looking for just a second can be damaging, and you might not know the damage has happened for a while.”
Anyone who wants to look up and see what’s going on should use eclipse glasses that have been certified by the ISO, or the International Standard Organization.
In other safety tips, NASA’s 

suggests donning a hat and protective clothing, as well as applying sunscreen, if you plan to be out watching the eclipse for its duration in order to avoid skin damage.
And hopefully this will be obvious to drivers, but the level of darkness will mean that using headlights is a good idea.
So what exactly will be going on, and when? The entire event will take place from about 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Morgantown. Times will vary among different places.
In Morgantown, the maximum coverage of the sun by the moon will be nearly 95%, taking place at 3:16 p.m. If you remember the eclipse in 2017, Morgantown was only at around 75% at the height of the eclipse.
Although we are not in the path of totality, nearby Cleveland and Erie are. People who watch from there will be able to take off their eclipse glasses for the few minutes of totality that they will experience.
As for the what, a solar eclipse happens when a new moon gets between the Earth and the sun, causing the moon to cast a shadow on the Earth.
According to NASA, a lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth is positioned precisely between the moon and sun, prompting Earth’s shadow to fall on the surface of the moon. This dims it and sometimes turns the moon’s surface red for a few hours.
In addition to turning dark in the afternoon, another aspect of the solar eclipse is that it could get 3 to 6 degrees cooler, depending on weather conditions and environmental factors. “If you are out in the country, you’ll probably feel it more than if you are in the city surrounded by asphalt and concrete,” Dr. Ybarra said.
If you get to see the eclipse from a place that experiences totality, it might get 10 degrees cooler.
As for totality, Dr. Ybarra has seen it once, viewing the 2017 eclipse from South
Carolina.
“It was an amazing experience,” Dr. Ybarra said. “I don’t think I have the words for it. I would say that it could be described as a spiritual experience.”


Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.

Don't look up!... without eye protection

A special Monongalia County Board of Health meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday to address the Environmental Fee

Back before Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacteria that causes 

 the disease killed 1 out of every 7 people living in the United States and Europe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That announcement took place on March 24, 1862, and the date since has been memorialized as 

, which took place yesterday.
The potentially fatal disease that affects the lungs can be transmitted via coughing, sneezing and spitting, hence the move historically to outlaw the latter to prevent the spread of TB.
Throughout the years, “consumption” took the lives of many well-known people, including poet John Keats (at age 25), writer George Orwell and actress Vivien Leigh. In 1969, musician Cat Stevens’ long convalescence from TB changed the course of the songs he wrote as well as his path in life.
Now, more than 160 years after the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the statistics in the United States are less grim when it comes to TB.
In 2023, West Virginia had a reported 15 total cases, notes Lori Rose, R.N., who runs the tuberculosis program at Monongalia County Health Department.
However, even though tuberculosis, or TB, isn’t a disease that is top of mind like it once was in the United States, it still requires vigilance and monitoring to make sure it remains as contained as possible, with a goal of eliminating it.
That’s because TB is much more common worldwide, and with international travel and immigration, the world has gotten a lot cozier than it used to be.
“The primary reason patients seek screening and treatment at the health department is typically due to recent travel to or immigration from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis," Rose said. Some employers require tuberculosis screening prior to starting a job, she noted.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 10 million individuals fall ill with tuberculosis every year, and 1.5 million people die from it annually. It’s the world’s top infectious killer, with rates higher than those of COVID and AIDS.
And it’s preventable and curable.
There are different tests to determine if individuals have TB. TB also can be latent or active, which can change the methods used for diagnosing.
At 

, our program complies and communicates with the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, part of the West Virginia Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services. We test individuals for TB and work with them while they receive mandatory treatment.
MCHD TB services include:
•	The Tuberculin skin test (TST), which involves injecting tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) into the inner surface of the forearm. This will result in a pale elevation of the skin, “A positive result will have an induration of 5mm or more. A negative result will appear flat, with no induration,” Rose said.
The tests are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, ensuring that MCHD operates within the necessary timeframe for Rose to read the results


•	

test is a blood draw that is another way to detect TB. If a person tests positive, further exams must be done to determine if the individual has active or latent TB.
•	

, which includes TB screening and documentation of low risk.
•	

 for those who qualify. The Division of Tuberculosis Elimination will provide chest X-rays. TB is detected when opacities and cavitation are seen in the lungs.
•	

. Individuals with active TB in Monongalia County will take medication under supervision. Previously, a TB nurse would travel to a patients’ home, but now monitoring can be done virtually.
•	

.

While Monongalia County Health Department does have a robust International Travel Clinic, there is no vaccine for tourists to take beforehand. But it’s always good to visit MCHD beforehand to get vaccines and get travel advice for the specific area where you will be visiting.
Check out Monongalia County Health Department’s website at www.monchd.org/services/tuberculosis-program for more information and call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment. 

When it comes to tuberculosis, MCHD is here to help

The Monongalia County Health Department Board of Health will hold its regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 28, in the first floor training room of the health department.

 items include the introduction of a new program, Infection Control & Disease Prevention.

Anyone who wants to attend the board of health meeting in person should enter through the front door at the upper level and walk through the temperature scanner before entering. To attend via Zoom, email Kelly Grow at Kelly.A.Grow@wv.gov or call 304-598-5147 to get a Zoom invite before 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. 

MCHD Board of Health meeting to be held at 9 a.m. March 28

It’s not even spring yet but the WIC Kitchen staff has already encountered nice ripe peaches in area stores.
And it turns out, this fruit pairs well with a variety of cheeses, vegetables and nuts, providing endless possibilities when it comes to including them in a dish or snack.
Another great thing about March’s WIC Kitchen recipes is that canned peaches can always be substituted in either dish.
We especially love the Peach Grilled Cheese Sandwich, which adds a fresh, sweet flavor to an old classic favorite.
Peaches are actually considered a superfood. They are known to offer protection from lung and oral cancers. They also have anti-inflammatory properties so they can help reduce acne and slow down the aging process.
They also are high in beta-carotene, which aids in protecting your skin from the sun. Peaches also have a high level of antioxidants and vitamin C, so they are great in aiding wound healing and keeping your immune system strong.
Our second recipe is a Fresh Peach Salad, in which the fruit is combined with corn for more sweetness and almonds and red onions for crunch and a little bit of heat.
Both of these recipes are easy to prepare and make great lunches, dinners or side dishes. As the weather warms up, we hope you will find more opportunities to peach out with this nutritional treat.



Peach Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients:


•	Eight slices whole wheat bread*
•	One 15-oz can of peaches, drained*
•	Eight slices cheddar cheese*
•	7 1/2 cups spinach*
•	4 teaspoons vegetable oil



1.	Heat four teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
2.	Place four slices of whole wheat bread in the pan.
3.	Layer in this order: One slice of cheese, a handful of spinach, four to six peach slices, another slice of cheese and a slice of bread on top of each original slice of bread.
4.	After four-five minutes, flip each sandwich and cook for another four-five minutes.




•	¼ cup sliced almonds
•	6 to 8 cups mixed greens*
•	3 small (or 2 large) ripe peaches (or canned peaches if unavailable)*
•	1 handful red onion slices*
•	½ cup canned corn, drained*
•	2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese; omit for vegan)



•	1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
•	1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
•	1 tablespoon maple syrup
•	¼ teaspoon kosher salt
•	Fresh ground black pepper
•	¼ cup olive oil



1.	Toast the almonds: Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium heat. Heat, shaking the pan and stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the nuts are fragrant and golden brown, about four-five minutes. Remove immediately from the heat and transfer to a plate to stop the cooking.
2.	Prep the fresh ingredients: Slice the peaches. Thinly slice the onion
3.	Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper
4.	Serve: To serve, top the greens with the peaches, almonds, red onion, goat cheese, and corn, then drizzle with the dressing. Serve and enjoy!



WIC Kitchen: Peach out with these tasty spring dishes 

How’s Daylight Savings Time working out for you? Are you waking up in the dark again? Have you gotten adjusted to the new time schedule? If not, welcome to the club! While I’m not opposed to the concept of Daylight Savings Time, the loss of an hour does not usually impact me positively in the short run.
Which brings us to the issue of sleep. At Monongalia County Health Department, our health care providers do not deal directly with sleep issues.
However, good sleep does so much to help our bodies, mental health and function level. There are few body systems that sleep doesn’t affect. Sleeping well, and for the appropriate amount of time for your age group, can help you maintain or improve heart function, mental outlook, blood sugar levels and immune system. It can help control your weight and recover after exercising.
And, unfortunately, this is another area in which West Virginia tops the wrong list. According to data collected in 2020 by the 

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

, the prevalence of adults who report a short sleep duration ranges from a low of 29.3% in Colorado to a high of 42.8% in the Mountain State.
Sleep issues in West Virginia are not a new and sudden problem. It’s been going on for a while. Why aren’t enough of us getting our Zzzzz’s in our state? News reports have mentioned health problems including obesity and diabetes as well as socio-economic factors that could possibly keep people up at night.
Ironically, not sleeping well can contribute to those conditions. That’s one reason why this topic is an important one to Monongalia County Health Department as we work to address our community’s health needs.
There are a lot of ways to improve your sleep hygiene, so we can start with some basics. Do you go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time in the mornings, even on weekends? Neither do I … but I try my best to go to sleep and wake up at a sensible time.
Do you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble going back to sleep because you keep looking at the clock? I used to do that, but now I’m pretty good at just rolling back over and not allowing myself to obsess about topics or situations that will keep me awake.
What about your bedroom? Do you watch TV or any other screens while in bed? This is not going to be conducive to good sleep. It’s also helpful to make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable but not too warm temperature.
You also want to consider habits during the day that could be contributing to bad sleep, and what you could do to improve them.
Getting exercise during the day, but not too late, will help, as will minimizing caffeine and avoiding drinking coffee or soda very late in the day.
And while alcohol might help you feel calmer before you go to bed, it also can interrupt sleep patterns, causing you to wake up more in the middle of the night.
CDC research indicates that adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night. Once you reach 60 and beyond, the need for more sleep can increase.
While improving your sleep hygiene could be very beneficial toward a more restful repose, there might be other issues to target as well. Talk to your health care provider if you think that issues like weight or stress might be keeping you from your best sleep.
In some instances, your doctor might consider prescribing a sleep study, which often can be done in the comfort of your own bed, using rented equipment.
According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 39 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea in 94% of the patients, the information continues. Untreated, this can lead to heart, kidney and metabolic health complications.
Spending the time and effort to improve your sleep is one of the best investments you can make, with dividends that can make you feel better in just about every aspect of your life.


Want to sleep better? Here are some tips. 

MCHD to begin teaching well-known Serv-Safe food manager course

—Monongalia County Health Department has added a second food manager certification course to its roster of food safety classes.

“ServSafe is another option to get people certified,” said Natalie Davis, Sanitarian II with MCHD Environmental Health who will be teaching the class.

More than 4 million foodservice professionals have been certified through the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam, which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANAB) Conference for Food Protection, according to information on the website ServSafe.com.

MCHD Environmental Health offers a variety of food handler classes, with online and in-person options for food handlers and person-in-charge training. The National Registry course for managers, currently taught by Registered Sanitarian Joe Lawson, will also continue.

Depending on the situation, food managers might be interested in either course.

“A couple of people I’ve spoken to are leaning toward ServSafe because it’s more well-known,” Davis said. “One person I talked to is a manager and he gets moved around to different locations, and he knows ServSafe would be accepted no matter where he goes.”

Monongalia County Health Department provides a robust slate of courses for food handlers, and sanitarians also inspect area restaurants. More information can be found on all offered food safety courses at 

www.monchd.org/services/food-safety-training

Courses are based on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Food Code. Effective July 1, 2019, the state of West Virginia updated from the 2008 Food Code to the 2013 version, with plans to eventually update again to the 2022 FDA Food Code.

Updating the Food Code requires new materials and training for teachers, which helps account for the state’s time lag in adopting the newer version.

“ServSafe provides a structured delivery of materials in correspondence with their manual,” said MCHD Registered Sanitarian Jennifer Costolo-Michael. On the other hand, “National Registry does not provide a curriculum. We developed our own training deck that is based on the sections of the FDA Food Code.”

Both Davis and Costolo-Michael received ServSafe training in 2023 during the annual mid-year meeting of the West Virginia Association of Sanitarians and are both qualified to teach it.

“For the foreseeable future, we’ll be teaching both ServSafe and National Registry,” said Todd Powroznik, MCHD Environmental Health program manager.

There is a need for both platforms, he continued. “The whole reason we got into this is because there was a need for another platform. There are a lot of franchise restaurants that require ServSafe.”

MCHD Environmental will teach its first two-day ServSafe certification class on March 12-13. Registration closed in mid-February because of the need to order materials three weeks in advance. Future 2024 ServSafe classes will be taught May 15-16, June 11-12, July 16-17, Aug. 13-14 and Oct. 15-16.

The first day of class takes place from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and the second-day tentative schedule is from 8:30 a.m.-noon. It includes brief instruction and a timed exam.

The cost is $150 for the class and exam and $100 just for the exam, with the student attending just on the second day. Books are available for an additional $25 and will be provided after registration.

Textbooks are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean, while online courses are available in English and Spanish.

Classes take place in the lower level Training Room at Monongalia County Health Department, 453 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown. Call 304-598-5131 to register.

“ServSafe is accepted in all 50 states, which makes it ideal for single- and multi-unit operations,” Davis said. 

MCHD to begin teaching well-known ServSafe food manager course 

Monongalia County Health Department presents this

regarding Environmental Health fees that are changing due to the Legislature taking them out of the West Virginia State Code.

Public Notice: New Environmental Health Fees

Monongalia County QRT to hand out free naloxone Tuesday at Mountainlair

 Before West Virginia University students head off for spring break later this week, they will have the opportunity to obtain free naloxone —which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose — and to learn how to use it.
That is by design, said Brittany Irick, coordinator of the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT), which will provide naloxone as well as free fentanyl strips from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at the WVU Mountainlair.
“The big reason we are doing this at this time of year is that we want to focus on college students,” said Irick, of Monongalia County Health Department, which obtains grants to fund the multi-organization QRT.
“This is around the time that college students will be getting ready for spring break, and we want to get naloxone into their hands before they leave town.”
Naloxone, in this case, the brand Narcan, is a nose spray that can be administered quickly and easily to someone who has overdosed on an opioid. Naloxone gets someone breathing again and gives emergency services time to reach the individual and provide additional care and, if needed, transportation to a hospital.
The Monongalia County QRT has been holding naloxone giveaway events, branded as Free Naloxone Day or Save a Life Day, since 2021. Those have been at multiple locations throughout the Morgantown area in an effort to get naloxone to the entire community.
A mini Free Naloxone Day will be held in the spring, tentatively on April 18 at six locations. The Monongalia County QRT will also be participating in the statewide Free Naloxone Day on Sept. 26.
“This has been a pretty successful event in the past, and it’s not just for people who use drugs,” Irick said. “It’s also a good resource for family members of individuals with substance use disorder and college kids, parents and pretty much anyone.”
Individuals who pick up naloxone will be given a short training to learn how to administer it.


For up-to-date information on health and wellness in Monongalia County, check out monchd.org and follow the health department on Facebook and Twitter @WVMCHD and on Instagram at #wvmchd.

Monongalia County QRT to hand out free naloxone Tuesday at the Mountainlair

In the ongoing dialogue surrounding vaccines, an episode from an old sitcom has become a surprising point of reference.
Perhaps you remember that time on “The Brady Bunch” when the six kids in the newly-formed family all come down with the measles.
Six improbably energetic, virally ill kids who were glad to have an excuse to stay home from school.
“If you have to get sick, you sure can’t beat the measles!” Marcia proclaims. (Myself, I always preferred a light cold to buy me some couch time and the opportunity to watch “The Price is Right.”)
Of course, this was a long time ago, before the measles vaccine was in wide use and childhood diseases were regarded as a fact of life.
Here’s the story about how 55 years later, some legislators, both nationally and in West Virginia, have used this fictional show to supplement the argument that 

 are not a big deal.
Which leads to several obvious rebuttals, the first of which is that vaccine law should not be based on a TV show that first aired in 1969.
After all, it wasn’t until 1971 that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was widely available, leading to a dramatic plunge in cases by the 1980s and a near eradication of the virus in the United States by 2000.
Secondly, it ignores the serious potential complications of measles. Common ones include ear infections and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while serious complications can range from hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Pregnant women who have measles also can give birth prematurely, or have a low birth-weight baby.
Symptoms alone include cough, high fever, water eyes, runny nose and an itchy rash. It causes kids to miss school and sometimes, a parent to miss work in order to take care of the child.
A piece of legislation to eliminate vaccine requirements for public virtual schools, 

5, has recently been expanded by a committee to include private and parochial schools.
This would begin to chip away at the vaccine laws that have put West Virginia on the top of at least one positive health category. It’s one of only a handful of states, in addition to California, Maine, Mississippi and New York, that does not allow religious vaccine exemptions for those entering school. And it’s the only one that has never allowed them.
In 2019, after a pretty quiet couple of decades on the measles front, 

 were reported in 31 states and have continued every year since. One of the few states with no cases: West Virginia.
According to the state Bureau for Public Health, the last known measles in the Mountain State was in 2009.
We know vaccines work, and this isn’t the only confirmation that exists to help prove that.
Since 2000, measles vaccination has averted an estimated 57 million deaths worldwide, according to the CDC, which also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global vaccination activities.
And if you research what inventions and developments over time have had the greatest impact on saving human lives, vaccination is always on the list, along with available clean water and other medical interventions. One scientific magazine goes as far as to say that Edward Jenner, who pioneered the concept of vaccines and created the smallpox inoculation, has saved more lives in human history than anyone.
Monongalia County Health Department is always going to advocate in favor of vaccines. We also offer a variety of them, for babies, kids, teens and adults. Our website offers additional

.
You can call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment or check out our 

 to learn when our providers will be out in the community, as they will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 for Turning a New Leaf: Senior Day, aimed at those 55 years and older, at Mylan Park.
In the meantime, if you really want to attribute a vaccine quote to a Brady, try the actress who played Marcia. When contacted by a media outlet for a reaction, Maureen McCormick expressed concern and noted that she had her daughter vaccinated. “Having the measles was not a fun thing. I remember it spread through my family,” she was quoted as saying.

Here's the story of why vaccines are important 

Happy Valentine's Day! Chocolate is obviously a holiday go-to treat this time of year, but everybody knows that strawberries pair well with America’s collective favorite sweet. And red coordinates with the hearts that are a symbol of the season.
This months’ WIC Kitchen recipes not only provide fun items to create, but they are perfect if kids want to pitch in and help.
It’s been proven that the more children are involved with meal preparation, the less likely they are to be picky when they eat.
Raising children who are adventurous eaters makes it easier for them to get all the nutrients they need.
Speaking of nutrients, strawberries are great for managing blood sugar and insulin levels. They are beneficial in reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. They are really high in antioxidants and vitamin C, so they are great for immunity and cancer prevention.
This month’s entries, Strawberry Ladybugs and Frozen Yogurt Bars are easy to assemble and make yummy, nutritious snacks.





1 pint strawberries rinsed and fully dried
1 pint blueberries rinsed and fully dried
1 bag melting chocolate (melted)
2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles optional for legs






1.	Cut each strawberry in half lengthwise, then remove green caps by cutting a triangle at the top. This is where the blueberry head will go.
2.	Melt chocolate and pour it into a piping bag.
3.	Squeeze some chocolate onto a blueberry and attach it to the triangle cutout on top of the strawberry.
4.	Pipe the middle line down the middle of the strawberry to create the ladybug back and add the black dots.
5.	Dip chocolate sprinkles in melted chocolate (or lines of the melted chocolate) and attach them to the strawberry as legs.
6.	Repeat with each strawberry. Have fun!





Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk vanilla yogurt
¾ cup diced strawberries
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup granola
¼ cup chocolate chips
Honey to taste




1.	Line a rimmed baking quarter sheet with wax or parchment paper.
2.	Pour yogurt into baking dish and spread evenly on prepared baking sheet so that it fills the shape.
3.	Top with strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips and granola.
4.	Drizzle with honey
5.	Place in freezer until the yogurt is firm, about three hours.
6.	Cut into 12-15 pieces and enjoy cold.
7.	Store leftovers in the freezer.



WIC Kitchen: Fun, healthy Valentine's treats 

Unless you visit our vending machine or Clinical Services’ secret stash, chocolate is not one of the services provided by at Monongalia County Health Department.
Still, we have a lot to offer for those contemplating the approach of Valentine’s Day on Wednesday.
These days, the holiday that celebrates love usually entails romance, dinner at a nice restaurant or a cozy evening at home.
At MCHD, we’re here to help, whether it’s through free and low-cost birth control and free STI testing and treatment; restaurant inspections for those who want a romantic dinner for two; radon testing for those who want to Netflix with their significant other; and Botox and chairside teeth whitening at MCHD Dentistry.
At MCHD Clinical Services, our nurses are friendly, non-judgmental and approachable, which is very important when it comes to 

sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment

 as well as birth control consultations.
Keep in mind that many STIs are easily treatable with antibiotics if caught early and could otherwise go on to cause fertility and other health issues, some of which can be quite serious.
There is no shame in getting tested for STIs. In fact, consider it a gift to your Valentine, the ultimate illustration that you respect yourself and your partner.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 

last spring, and while there are occasional dips, they are on the rise again. While chlamydia is down 6.2% overall since 2018, it’s trending upward. In that same period, gonorrhea has gone up 11.1%; syphilis is up 78.9% and congenital syphilis — when it’s passed to a baby during birth — is up 183.4%.
Getting tested for STIs and using condoms during sex are both good ways to help get those numbers down.
Another service provided by MCHD Clinical Services is 

. MCHD offers so many kinds that, during a visit, a nurse can prescribe from a large list of options, including those that come in the form of a pill, a shot, a patch or a ring or more. Of course, condoms are also available, as is emergency contraception. For many individuals, birth control is free or low-cost.
The health department can help in other areas as well. For instance, a nice smile greatly enhances your Valentine’s Day outfit, and MCHD Dentistry can take care of those needs, from regular checkups, same-day crowns and


There is a therapeutic use for Botox in addition to decreasing wrinkles on your forehead and reducing the appearance of crow’s feet — it also can be used to treat the masseter muscle to help reduce teeth grinding. At MCHD Dentistry, we offer Botox for both therapeutic and cosmetic care.
And MCHD Dentistry now offers Boost tooth whitening by Opalescence. Instead of using white strips at home every day for an hour, the patient spends 20 minutes in the chair and walks away with pearly whites that are several shades lighter after one treatment.
Finally, when it comes to those dinner plans, remember that all Monongalia County establishments are inspected on a regular basis by MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians.
MCHD Environmental Health 

 many other facilities as well, such as hotels, motels and pools. And in case you want to get a spiffy new Valentine’s tattoo of, say, a cupid holding a bow and arrow, you may be interested to learn that tattoo studios are also on the inspection schedule.
Environmental Health sanitarians also conduct radon testing. It’s good to know your radon levels. For the rest of February, you can take advantage of our 

 special of $85, down from $125.
These are just some of the ways Monongalia County Health Department can enhance your Valentine’s Day.
For appointments, call MCHD Clinical Services at 304-598-5119, MCHD Dentistry at 304-598-5108 and MCHD Environmental Health at 304-598-5131. 

MCHD is a one-stop Valentine's Shop

Don Calhoun’s doctor suggested that he lose some weight to improve his health and vital statistics. So Calhoun, a Morgantown resident, did some research that said he should aim for 10,000 steps a day.
“I thought, ‘There is no way I can do that,” he said. “But I started doing it. And I got up to 3,500 steps and then to 4,000 steps, doing more each time.”
Eventually, he reached 10,000 steps, seven days a week. He’s lost nearly 40 pounds and his blood pressure went from 150/90 to 120/80.
While some exercise experts say that individuals can maintain their health with even fewer daily steps, one thing is clear: Perseverance and practice can pay off. Exercise is important and even if those first walks or workouts don’t go like you had hoped, they will improve if you keep trying.
Each week, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening activity, according to information on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 

.
Of course, individuals should check with their health care provider first, but exercise is clearly one of the paths to improved overall health, and that plus strength training can help people keep moving and also perform daily tasks and functions as their bodies age.
Higher activity levels also help improve diseases that plague West Virginians in a disproportionate manner, such as diabetes. About 16% of adult West Virginians have 

, according to the American Diabetes Association, and that does not include those who don’t know they have it.
Exercise is important year-round but winter can present challenges.
Calhoun got around that obstacle by joining the walkers who get their steps in at the Mountaineer Mall on Green Bag Road.
The mall’s property manager, Bekah Gillespie, noted that the mall experiences an increase in walkers during the cold, snowy and dark days.
“Somebody measured years back and one lap around the mall was one mile,” she said.
The mall is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sundays.
I witnessed the popularity of walking at the mall on Martin Luther King Day when I had an appointment there. Needing to get some steps in on that day, I joined in and felt the camaraderie of the community as individuals walked close to the wall, with many making detours to go down different corridors and hallways.
I’m also lucky because Monongalia County Health Department is adjacent to the WVU Health Sciences Campus, which provides a variety of walking routes in varying lengths, with inclines if you want them and some flat areas if you don’t.
As someone who avoided the gym during the height of the COVID pandemic, I’m happy that I’ve learned how to incorporate more exercise into my day. Even when I don’t feel like it, weather permitting, I know that if I walk for at least 20 minutes, I will feel less stressed, more energized and just better for the rest of the day.
Gyms and other exercise classes and facilities provide another opportunity to work out. And this would be a great time to participate in an indoor activity such as bowling.
And if you have an internet connection and at least a little bit of space at home, YouTube provides an increasing number of quality videos at easy, moderate and advanced levels of difficulty. The pandemic and better video equipment created a perfect storm and many trainers have taken advantage of the opportunity to put their content out there. When I go this route for exercise, listening to a podcast or music really helps.
While MCHD providers enjoy helping our patients with a variety of health needs, it’s also important for individuals to take care of themselves and do their part.
So if you’ve been using the darkness and weather as an excuse not to exercise, remember that there are plenty of opportunities to get moving.


Don't let the weather keep you from your exercise goals

Six days before Christmas, the scratch in my throat felt ominous. Two tests confirmed what I feared: COVID-19.
I had felt tired for a couple days prior and the symptoms moved fast. For two days after I tested positive, I was miserable. My fever approached 102 degrees each evening, which caused concern. Only two days in, it already hurt my head, sinuses and ribs to cough.
And then on the third day, my cold symptoms improved remarkably, still leaving me exhausted and stuffy, with an off sense of smell and taste and occasional episodes of feeling a bit dizzy.
At the same time, I had friends posting on social media and sharing similar stories, and a relative two counties away who I hadn’t seen recently also tested positive.
Now that so many individuals conduct home

, it’s difficult to get clear numbers of cases.
According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

 indicators at the end of 2023 showed COVID cases on the rise, based on testing, emergency department visits, wastewater information, hospitalizations and deaths.
And the 

 just announced that there were nearly 10,000 deaths in the United States and Europe due to COVID, about four times the number of deaths between Oct. 23 and Nov. 19.
It’s clearly out there.
At Monongalia County Health Department, we understand COVID fatigue. We want to live our lives normally, without fear, feeling like we can do anything we want.
I definitely wanted to put it behind me. However, now I’m feeling a different kind of fatigue — from actually having COVID. As well as the regret of not being able to see friends and celebrate during the holidays.
Everyone should know the drill by now, but here’s a reminder of steps to take to avoid getting COVID.
First, get the latest COVID booster if you haven’t already. Yes, I had mine. While it was frustrating to get sick, I wonder how much sicker I might have potentially gotten without it — especially when my symptoms dramatically improved three days after testing positive. While one goal with the vaccine is to avoid COVID, another is to have a less severe case if you do get it.
Just as with influenza, COVID strains can mutate, which is why getting the updated one can be critical. The bivalent vaccine was a good match with the omicron variant that was circulating two years ago.
As noted on the CDC on its website, in fall 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved an updated COVID vaccine that was formulated to target current variants more closely. It's recommended for anyone ages 6 months and older.
To make an appointment for either an updated COVID vaccine or even a flu shot, you can call 304-598-5119.
Other measures you can take include wearing a mask, at least in certain circumstances; washing your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water; and perhaps even considering avoiding large gatherings, at least while COVID cases are on the rise.
Also, anyone who is sick should stay home from school or work and obviously avoid other people, especially those who are most vulnerable to illness.
The CDC website has a wealth of advice on COVID prevention. There are also recommendations on what to do if you know you have been exposed to COVID in order to avoid spreading it to others.
Most of all, listen to your body and your instincts. If you are feeling tired without a good cause, consider testing for COVID. As of late September, four free tests have been available per household via the U.S. Postal Service, with another four available as of November. Those who haven’t claimed those yet can do so by going to USPS.com.
I don’t know how I got COVID, but I do know that I plan to be more careful going forward.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.


COVID's on the rise. Let's be careful out there!

Happy New Year! Did you make a resolution to improve your eating habits in 2024? Or are you just trying to get through these cold, dark days as best as you can?
Either way, Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC Kitchen can help!
For January, we have two recipes that are easy to make (15-20 minutes) as well as healthy and tasty. And you can make them ahead of time and pop them in the microwave when you are ready to eat.
Having a ready-made meal when hunger strikes can also help you avoid the urge to grab something that’s quicker and less nutritious.
And with both recipes — Pasta Primavera and Black Bean Burrito Bowls — you have plenty of leeway to add additional ingredients. This allows you to customize the meals to your taste, use up items in the fridge and/or pack in more vitamins, fiber, etc.
In addition to utilizing whatever vegetables you wish into the Pasta Primavera, tomatoes, avocado and different beans can change up the Black Bean Burrito Bowl. Obviously, if you add avocado to the burrito bowl, wait until just before you serve to top it off.
Speaking of ingredients, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, limes and garlic all boost immunity, which is great anytime but especially this time of year.
And broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, red onion, black beans, limes and zucchini are all high in antioxidants, so they aid in the prevention of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
So get chopping in order to help brighten up this dreary month!




•	Whole wheat penne pasta*
•	Salt
•	Olive oil
•	1 red onion*
•	2 carrots*
•	1 cup broccoli (chopped)*
•	1 bell pepper*
•	1 yellow squash*
•	1 zucchini*
•	2 cloves garlic (minced)
•	2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
•	2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice*
•	2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
•	1/2 cup shredded parmesan, divided*



1.	Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook penne pasta in salted water according to package directions, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2.	Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a 12-inch (and deep) skillet over medium-high heat.
3.	Add red onion and carrot and sauté for two minutes.
4.	Add broccoli and bell pepper, then sauté for two minutes.
5.	Add squash and zucchini, then sauté for two-three minutes or until veggies have nearly softened.
6.	Add garlic, tomatoes and Italian seasoning and sauté for two more minutes.
7.	Pour veggies into an empty pasta pot or a serving bowl, add drained pasta, drizzle in lemon juice, season with a little more salt as needed and toss while adding in pasta water to loosen as desired.
8.	Toss in 1/4 cup parmesan and parsley, then serve with remaining parmesan on top.
Black Bean Burrito Bowls




•	4 cups brown rice (cooked)*
•	2 bell peppers (sliced)*
•	1 can black beans (canned or frozen, liquid drained) *
•	1 can of corn*
•	1 red onion
•	Fresh cilantro
•	1 lime*
•	Salsa
•	1 cup shredded cheddar cheese*
•	Taco seasoning




1.	Cook rice first according to the package directions.
2.	While the rice is cooking, drain corn, rinse and drain black beans, shred the cheese and slice red onions and bell peppers.
3.	Once rice is finished, fluff with a fork and divide among four containers. Divide the remaining six bowl ingredients among the containers as well (corn, beans, bell peppers, cheese, salsa, lime wedges, cilantro, red onions and salsa).
4.	Reheat the bowls for one-two minutes before eating to melt the cheese and heat the beans and rice through.


Items marked with an asterisk* are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Please call 304-598-5181 for more information.


Tasty, easy and healthy are the goals for January

Happy new year! Did you stay up late and toast 2024 with champagne at midnight? Have you maybe celebrated the new year since?
Even though we’re three days into January, you still might want to consider making this a Dry January.
Dry January is a name trademarked by a group called

. And even though, as the name suggests, the group is headquartered in Great Britain, the idea to forego booze for a month following the holidays has been catching on all over the world in the past few years.
In the United States in 2019, according to the 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

 (NIAAA), 25.8% of people 18 and older reported that they had engaged in binge drinking in the past month when the data was collected.
Also, it’s suspected that during the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption went up.
Members of the 

 (QRT), funded with grant money obtained by Monongalia County Health Department, deal mostly with opioid misuse, but also know that drinking is an issue that some individuals need to address.
“The pandemic increased stress in many ways in our lives and many individuals observed not only increased stress but also alcohol consumption,” said Jon Dower, a QRT member and the director of recovery services at

.
Taking a break from drinking, Dower noted, can lessen some of its short-term consequences, like headaches and weight gain, and it also “may alert an individual to seek assistance should the struggle become too great.”
So if you have trouble giving up alcohol for a month, you might want to reconsider your relationship with it. That said, if you just enjoy an occasional drink and had some bubbly to celebrate the new year, that’s fine. But it still might not be a bad idea to see what a month of not drinking feels like.
And if you fall into a different category, there is nothing wrong with taking some time and taking stock of the situation.
If you feel like cutting back or quitting alcohol would be a good choice for you and you need some guidance, a first step could be to check out resources from the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 (samhsa.gov) and the NIAAA (niaaa.nih.gov). You also could consider talking with a professional counselor or your health care provider.
And if you decide you could use some local help, there are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings just about everywhere as well as Ascension Recovery Services at 304-241-4585 and

 at 304-413-4300.
You can also Google “online alcohol support groups” to find other people whose journeys might be similar to yours and who could provide help, from the comfort of your home.
January is a perfect time to take a break, re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol and just see what life is like without cocktails or beer.
Dry January allows individuals to assess what it feels like not to drink long enough to see health benefits, which can include sleeping better, having more energy, losing weight and having a better immune response.
Long-term benefits of not drinking or cutting back can help liver and heart health and reduce chances of getting diseases such as breast cancer, just to mention a few.
Be advised, those with heavy drinking problems should consult with their doctor or health care provider about ways to safely taper down. If you are unsure if you fall into this category, make an appointment to discuss how to reduce or quit drinking safely.
Even if this means not having a Dry January, it’s OK. Start in February or whenever you are ready.


It's not to late to make this a Dry January

MCHD offering $85 radon testing in January

If you reside in Monongalia County or nearby, you live in a radon zone. Nationally, 1 in 15 homes have high levels of radon, a natural gas that seeps up from the rocks in the earth. But in Morgantown, that figure is 1 in 5.

That makes getting your home tested for radon even more important. During the month of January, as part of National Radon Action Month, Monongalia County Health Department’s Environmental Health program will conduct radon testing for $85, down from $125.

“Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer,” said Alexis Davy, a Monongalia County Health Department sanitarian and a radon measurement specialist.

And because Monongalia County tends to have a greater incidence of high radon levels compared to the national average, getting a radon test will let individuals know if they should look into mitigation efforts for their home or business.

So what is radon? It’s a naturally occurring colorless and odorless gas that results from the decay of uranium deep underground. Radon moves up through the bedrock, then into the soil, and then up from the soil into the atmosphere. When radon comes up into the air outside, it’s harmless. When it comes up into your basement and into your house, it can become a problem.

January is a good time to test for radon because houses tend to be more closed up than at other times of the year, Davy noted.

“During a radon test, all windows have to remain closed and a circulation air conditioning system that is pulling air from outside and circulating air inside can’t be running,” Davy said. “In January, those are things you don’t have to worry about.”

Radon testing is done using a device called a continuous radon monitor. The device is set up in the lowest livable space of a home and runs for 48 hours. A monitor would be placed in a finished basement but not an unfinished portion, Davy noted. If the home has a crawl space, the monitor would go in the room above the crawl space. She’s even seen where a home had two separated basements that needed two monitors, which then costs $100 with the January special.

The monitor shuts off on its own and creates a report on the radon levels in the home.

If the reading is 4 picocuries per liter or higher, then the homeowner can have mitigation techniques done, including adding ventilation and/or making the space more radon resistant, that will lower the radon levels in their home. Newer builds often have these features already. The average cost for these measures is $1,500, Davy said.

Not only is radon the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, killing on average 21,000 individuals a year, it’s also the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The combination of radon and smoking is especially deadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which designated National Radon Action Month, produces a National Radon Action Plan and updates it periodically. In 2021, the plan set a goal for the nation to find, fix and prevent high indoor radon levels in 8 million buildings by 2025 and prevent 3,500 lung cancer deaths per year.

Also, radon levels can be tricky and your next door neighbors’ reading could mean nothing when it comes to your own home, Davy noted.

Last winter, Davy remembers testing several homes within a block of each other.

“We got a large variety of testing results, even though the homes were within one block,” she said. “You could have a perfect radon test and your neighbor could have twice the level of yours.”

This can be attributed to several factors, including a home’s foundation and age, what the air flow is and the type of soil it’s sitting on. “There are a lot of things that can affect a reading,” she said.

To schedule a radon test, call MCHD Environmental Health at 304-598-5131. You can also find more information at monchd.org/services/radon.

Monongalia County Health Department offers $85 radon testing in January

Winter officially starts today and in the past few weeks, we've have some reminders that it has been on its way, with a few doses of snow, ice and cold snaps this season. 
That makes it tricky during a time of year when many people are busy shopping, attending parties and visiting friends and family.
Whoever said, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” didn’t have a long way to drive to reach their celebration destination.
So it makes a lot of sense to be prepared for winter. It can help reduce bills and anxiety, and if
an emergency situation occurs, you’ll be thanking yourself for that extra preparation.
Both Monongalia County Health Department’s Environmental Health and Threat Preparedness programs work to educate area residents on ways to get ready for the next three months with advice for everything from snow shoveling to making an emergency kit.
Here are some tips to help make your winter cozier and more safe.


 Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. Take it slow and stretch out first. Push the snow rather than lift it. If you do lift snow, only partially fill the shovel. Lift with your legs, not your back. Take breaks and don’t work until the point of exhaustion. And know the signs of a heart attack. If you experience any of them, stop immediately and call 911.


 Service the radiator and maintain the antifreeze level. Check the tires and if necessary, replace them with all-weather or snow tires. Keep the gas tank on the fuller side to
avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. You also will appreciate it if you get caught in traffic. Replace windshield wipers if needed and use a wintertime formula in the washer fluid.


 Prepare a winter emergency kit for your car. Include a cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries; blankets; snacks; booster cables, flares, tire pump and a bag of
sand or cat litter for traction; compass and maps; flashlight and flares; and a first aid kit.


 Avoid driving in storms and on ice. Refer to WV 511 (which features highway cameras for a real-time check of the roads), weather apps and other websites to get updates on conditions. Avoid long exposure outside during cold weather. Dress in layers and wear gloves and a hat in addition to a coat. Do not leave pets outside in the cold.


 Include supplies for each family member and pet for at least three days. Supplies should include a gallon of water a day for each person in the household as well as nonperishable food; manual can opener; battery-powered radio; flashlights; dust mask; wipes and other sanitary products; cell phone and charger.


: Put weather stripping around your windows and doors. Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Leave at least three feet of space around
fireplaces and space heaters. Do not plug space heaters into power strips, keep them away from fabric and do not use them unattended. Never run a generator inside. If you are running a
portable generator, you need to have a working carbon monoxide detector.


 Food safety is important year-round but if you are cooking for the holidays, it’s a great time to review how to cook a variety of meats and when to refrigerate items on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 

 If sick, stay home from work or school. Flu shots help keep you and others safe and also can save you from having to take time off work for you or your children.


 is a handy website that will provide additional information. Winter can be a cozy and fun time, especially with some preparation.


Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health  Department. 

‘Be prepared’ a good motto for winter

What’s better than figgy pudding around this time of year?
A Roasted Fig Sundae!
For those who might not have experienced the traditional Christmas dessert, figgy pudding is more like cake.
But Roasted Fig Sundaes are exactly what has been promised: Ice cream covered in a gooey and sweet syrup and, of course, figs, featuring flavors that will complement your holiday meal and send lovely, spicy scents throughout your home.
Figs are a tasty and healthy snack on their own. They are part of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and they deliver decent doses of magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron.
Roasted Fig Sundaes can be a fun holiday party activity or a dessert that does not require a lot of prep time.
Then, with treats covered, if you’re looking for something a bit new, merry and bright when it comes to hors d'oeuvres, consider Cranberry Salsa.
Replacing tomatoes with cranberries in a salsa recipe provides a deeper shade of red as well as all the benefits of cranberries, which are well-known for their ability to help prevent UTIs. They also aid in protecting gut health, immunity and skin and joint health.
Cranberry Salsa is both sweet and spicy, adding a fun flavor profile to the party.
Whether you choose savory or sweet, or both, these dishes are sure to bring some festive flair to the holidays!






•	16 halved fresh figs* (often available at Sam’s)
•	1/2 cup chopped pecans
•	1/4 cup sugar
•	1 tablespoon honey
•	1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice*
•	1 tablespoon water
•	1 tablespoon chopped butter
•	vanilla ice cream



1.	Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2.	Toss 16 halved fresh figs, ½ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup sugar and 1 tbsp. each honey, lemon juice and water in a shallow baking dish.
3.	Layer with 1 tbsp. chopped butter.
4.	Roast until juicy, about 20 minutes.
5.	Spoon juice over the figs, then continue roasting until syrupy, about 10 more minutes.
6.	Serve over vanilla ice cream.
7.	Enjoy!




•	12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained *
•	1/3 cup sugar
•	2 poblano peppers, seeds removed, chopped *
•	1/4 cup chopped cilantro
•	1/4 cup sliced green onions *
•	1 tablespoon fresh orange juice*
•	1 tablespoon fresh lime juice*




1.	Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Do not puree if you want to have small pieces of cranberry.
2.	Place the chopped cranberries in a bowl and add the sugar, stirring to combine.
3.	Add jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, orange juice and lime juice. Stir to combine.
4.	Cover bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.
5.	Serve with tortilla chips
6.	Enjoy!

Items marked with an asterisk* are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Please call 304-598-5181 or check out monchd.org/departments-programs/wic for more information.

WIC Kitchen: Sundaes and salsa brighten up Christmas dinner

What do you want this holiday season? Peace and goodwill? Time with family and friends? To give and receive gifts? Good health?
The last one can be a bit unpredictable, with cold and damp weather, the start of flu season and the stress of trying to achieve the perfect holiday.
But there are steps you can take to ward off illness and to feel your best.
This week, it’s time to observe both 

 and National Handwashing Awareness Week.
The messages are pretty simple: Your best bet to avoid flu is to get vaccinated. Good

 with warm water and soap, and other tips such as avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, are also key. If you still haven’t gotten a flu vaccination, you can make an appointment at Monongalia County Health Department by calling 304-598-5119.
And, of course, there are other ways to keep yourself in check so you can avoid getting sick. These tips are good year-round, and we especially want to make sure to observe them now.
First up is get enough sleep. Of course, this isn’t always easy for everyone. To help get enough z’s, be consistent in your bedtime, including on weekends. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing and at a comfortable temperature. Also, avoid watching TV or reading on your tablet, laptop or smartphone in bed. Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night. This should be a goal year-round, but it also helps when dealing with darker winter days and the extra food we tend to eat during the holiday season.
Speaking of food… of course, holidays are a time that many of us indulge. Try not to overdo. Attending a holiday party? Don’t arrive starving. Have a healthy snack before heading out. Do you work in an office where cookies and other treats pop up, especially this time of year? Don’t feel the need to sample each kind. It might taste good but you might not feel so great later.
New Year’s is right around the corner and maybe you are thinking of resolving to lose weight then, but you can still try to avoid packing on pounds in the weeks leading up to 2024.
Alcohol is another area where it’s good to exercise moderation. It adds unnecessary calories to your diet. And if you are attending a holiday party or event, don’t drink and drive. If you do plan to have a cocktail or two, make sure you have a designated driver. Or call a taxi or Uber to get home safely.
Taking care of mental health is also important, whether it’s stress from running around trying to get everything done or loneliness from feeling left out of festivities or missing loved ones who are no longer with us.
Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Overspending increases anxiety. Planning is also useful: Consider setting aside funds each month to buy presents.
And if you are lonely or struggling, seek help. Sometimes social activity might be the answer. Other problems might require counseling. If things get really bad, the 

is only three digits away: 988.
Of course, holidays are a time to think about friends and family. But taking care of yourself first is another way to help ensure that it’s a wonderful time of the year.

Stay healthy to achieve joy & good cheer

This Friday, Dec. 1, marks World AIDS Day, and Monongalia County Health Department is commemorating this global event by emphasizing the importance of STI testing for all sexually active individuals. We’ve added additional appointments to our already-free STI testing, through Thursday.

These extra testing opportunities align with the CDC's guidelines, encouraging individuals to undergo testing at least once in their lifetimes and more frequently, depending on certain factors.





Understanding the sensitive nature of these services, MCHD emphasizes its commitment to confidentiality and a welcoming atmosphere. Public health nurses, trained through WVU's LGBTQ+ Center with Safe Zone training, provide friendly and non-judgmental care. Appointments are required, ensuring personalized attention and a comfortable environment.





Additionally, MCHD will be at the WVU Mountainlair in the Rhododendron Room on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event aims to bring essential health services directly to the community. Services offered during the event include:



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