Get COVID-19 Vaccination During Event at White Stadium and Get $75 Gift Card

This Saturday the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is hosting ‘B Healthy Back-to-School,’ a free COVID-19 vaccination event at White Stadium and anyone who gets vaccinated is eligible to receive a $75 gift card. The event is from 11 am to 3 pm, and is part of BPHC’s efforts to encourage pediatric vaccination, support a safe and healthy school year, and improve equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, according to a press release. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will be available for all attendees ages 6-months and older at the event. There will also be free food, music, and games will also be available at the event. Plus, BPHC will be giving away backpacks to students and families.

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BHPC Provides Guidance on What You Need to Know About Monkeypox

There have been 13 documented cases Monkeypox in Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has provided guidance to prevent the spread of it. BPHC's guidance comes amid a global outbreak that has accounted for more than 2,000 cases in countries that don’t normally see cases, and in the U.S. there have been confirmed in 25 states. Monkeypox is spread from person to person through close physical contact, and anyone who has close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Many of the current cases appear to be spreading through close contact in sexual and social networks among men who have sex with men, but the risk of monkeypox is not limited to people who are sexually active or men who have sex with men, according to a press release. Anyone can get monkeypox. 
BPHC’s priority is to advocate a non-stigmatizing public health response, to raise awareness about monkeypox to help people recognize the symptoms early on so they can isolate and seek care. 
 “Monkeypox infection remains rare.

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Ongoing Drilling From Construction on Lamartine Street Frustrating Neighborhood

The noise from continual drilling at a construction site on Lamartine Street has frustrated the neighborhood for more than 12 weeks, many residents report. https://twitter.com/jacobturcotte/status/1530213027181633540

The construction is to create four separate buildings with three units each at 279 Lamartine St., according to a building permit provided by Inspectional Services Department (ISD). The site is layered with puddingstone, which can only be removed either by using explosives or chipping away with a hammer bit. "Unfortunately, the second method can be disruptive, but is the only feasible manner in which to remove the subsurface elements that are present, hence the need to change the hours of operation," said Lisa Timberlake, ISD spokesperson. Construction began on January 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day); hours of operation were altered in June, when the city reduced work hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Decibel levels are exempt from the city's noise ordinance on construction sites inside the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to city personnel.

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Jamaica Pond — Still frozen on Saturday, March 21, 2015.

Jamaica Pond Closed Due To Algae Bloom; Can Be Deadly To Dogs

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has closed Jamaica Pond due to a suspected bloom of blue-green algae, which can be very harmful and even cause death to dogs. During the closing, swimming, boating, fishing, or engaging in other recreational activities on or in the water are not allowed. Dogs are also not allowed to swim in or drink the water. Health officials noted the algae bloom, also known as cyanobacteria, through a visual inspection of the pond. Algae blooms such as this may produce toxins that can make people and pets sick.

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West Nile Virus Infected Mosquitos Found in Jamaica Plain

A mosquito pool in Jamaica Plain recently tested positive for West Nile Virus, reported the Boston Public Health Commission. While it is common to find West Nile Virus infected mosquitos around this time of year, and no human cases have been recorded, it is still important to remain vigilant to protect yourself. “It is typical to find West Nile Virus in Boston at this time of year due to the periods of hot weather,” said BPHC Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Lo via press release. “This does not mean the average person is at increased risk of getting WNV. However, people should still take simple precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, but it actually poses a very low risk to most people.

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Health Officials Raise West Nile Virus Risk to High After Season’s First Death

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A technician at the State Lab in Jamaica Plain examines a mosquito for West Nile Virus in July 2000. Credit: Darren McCollester via GettyImages

A Suffolk County man became the first human to die of West Nile Virus in the state this year. The news prompted the health officials to raise the alert level for the rare — but sometimes deadly — disease from moderate to high. State officials announced Tuesday the fourth and fifth confirmed cases of humans contracting the mosquito-borne illness. Both were men in their 60s.

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Jamaica Pond Reopens after Blue-Green Algae Bloom

The Boston Public Heath Commission said in a statement that recreational activities, including fishing and boating, may resume at Jamaica Pond following last month's detection of blue-green algae, which the Commission said was potentially fatal if ingested. The announcement comes after two consecutive weeks of testing showed algae concentration below the state-recommended limit of 70,000 cells/milliliter. However, residents looking for place to beat the summer heat with a cool evening swim can keep looking: Swimming has been banned in Jamaica Pond since 1975 because it serves as one of the city's backup water supplies, according to boston.com.

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Toxic Algae Levels Triple in Jamaica Pond

The level of toxic algae in closed-to-the-public Jamaica Pond has tripled since the last test. Humans and their pets must stay out of Jamaica Pond until officials give the all-clear. The state considers safe levels of this algae to be 70,000 cells per milliliter of water. Tests done Monday showed the Pond's figure to have risen to 240,000 cells per milliliter of water, according to a press release from the Boston Public Health Commission. The previous week the level stood at 81,576 cells/milliliter.

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Dangerousness of Algae Bloom Takes Residents By Surprise

The big neighborhood news this week has been Jamaica Pond falling into the grip of a toxic bloom of blue-green algae. Some residents, though aware the Pond is closed, say they didn't realize the seriousness of the danger. Though officials say the toxin is not known to be absorbed through the skin, the blue-green algae is potentially deadly when ingested. Signage posted in multiple languages around the pond cautions residents to refrain from contact with the contaminated water, and advises pet owners to keep dogs a safe distance from the shore. Residents should refrain from entering the pond as contact to humans can result in eye irritation, organ damage, and in extreme cases, death, according to an advisory from the Boston Public Health Commission.

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