PRESS RELEASE: 2019-011

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has recently received reports of seven (7) cases of chickenpox in students attending M.A. Ulloa Elementary School.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a chickenpox outbreak in a school setting as five (5) or more cases within a two-month period in the same school facility.

Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella vaccine.  Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing.  It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.

Chickenpox most commonly causes an illness that lasts about 7-10 days.  The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs.  The rash may first show up on the face, chest, and back then spread to the rest of the body, including inside the mouth, eyelids.   Due to the nature of the disease and potential risks, people who are immunocompromised or pregnant and who are also unimmunized should take action to protect their health.

DPHSS and Guam Department of Education officials are currently assessing those students identified as close contacts of known cases.  Faculty, staff and parents of students affected are being notified by letter and provided information on vaccination activities planned at the school.

DPHSS encourages parents to check their children’s immunization (shot) records to ensure they received all age-appropriate vaccines. All parents should ensure their child receives the first dose of chickenpox vaccine at 12 months of age, then a second dose of chickenpox vaccine at 4-6 years of age. 

Furthermore, all health care providers are urged to review and update the immunization status of all children and adolescent patients they see.  Routine vaccination of children should continue as recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice (ACIP).  If vaccine is contraindicated because of illness, a follow-up appointment should be scheduled.

If you have any questions, please contact Annette L. Aguon, Immunization Program Manager, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at 735-7143. 

PRESS RELEASE  NO.: 2019-010

Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Cancer Awards Nominations

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, in partnership with the Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition (CCC) is seeking nominations from the community for the Remi H. Pangan† Spirit of Life Award and the Spirit of Collaboration Award.  Nominees do not have to be members of the CCC Coalition.

The Remi H. Pangan† Spirit of Life Award is presented to a cancer survivor, caregiver, or other individual for his/her encouragement in fighting cancer, dedication to promoting public awareness of cancer survivorship issues and improving the quality of life for cancer survivors, caregivers, and their families. 

The Spirit of Collaboration Award is presented to organizations that demonstrate exemplary collaborative efforts in the fight against cancer.  Collaboration is defined as the act of working together to achieve a particular goal or objective.  Collaboration can occur within one organization (between two or more programs or services) or it can be between two or more different organizations. 

For copies of the application forms, please contact Mr. Lawrence Alam at 735-7335 or at lawrence.alam@dphss.guam.gov or Ms. Vivian Pareja at 735-0670 or at vivian.pareja@dphss.guam.gov.

Application forms can also be downloaded at the:

• Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/GuamCCC
• Department of Public Health and Social Services website at http://www.dphss.guam.gov/
• Directly click the link here: 2018 GCCC Application Forms

The deadline to submit application forms is on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 5:00 pm.

                                                                                    LEO G. CASIL

                                                                                    Acting Director

PRESS RELEASE   No. 2019-009

Annual ELECTION PERIOD FOR Medicare Part D OCTOBER 15, 2018 THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2018

The Department of Public Health and Social Services would like to announce that the Annual Election Period for the 2019 Medicare drug plans, nationally known as Medicare Part D, began October 15, 2018 and will end on December 6, 2018. 

Plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year. Throughout this period, Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a drug plan, switch to a new drug plan or terminate from this voluntary prescription drug program. People with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide the options that best fits their health needs. They can visit Medicare.gov (http://www.medicare.gov), call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact the Guam Medicare Assistance Program (Guam MAP) to learn about the prescription drug plans available for 2019.  For those Medicare beneficiaries who do not wish to change their current coverage, you do not need to re-enroll. 

Guam MAP within the Division of Senior Citizens (DSC) continues to provide Medicare awareness presentations on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m. up through December 6^th at DSC’s office located at 130 University Drive, Castle Mall Suite 8, in Mangilao.

Medicare beneficiaries and their families interested in obtaining more information may contact DSC at 735-7421 or 735-7415.  

LEO G. CASIL                                

Acting Director

Please see attached the DPHSS FY2017 Citizen Centric Report.

PRESS RELEASE

NO.: 2019-008

Outbreak of Rubella (German Measles)

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has been informed that an outbreak of rubella, also known as German measles, is currently occurring in Japan.  More than 1,100 cases of rubella have been reported this year.   The prefectures with the most cases are Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama.  With frequent travel to and from Japan, it is possible that the disease may be brought to Guam.

Rubella is a moderately contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by rubella virus.  The symptoms of rubella include mild fever, rash, runny nose, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and aching joints.  Although the symptoms of rubella are mild, infection is more severe in early pregnancy (first 20 weeks) and may cause a variety of birth defects or even lead to a miscarriage.

Stay safe when traveling

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Travel Health Notice- Alert Level 2 for international travelers to Japan due to the rubella outbreak.  Travelers should practice enhanced precautions due to the increased risk.

1. Get a rubella vaccine (in combination with measles and mumps vaccine) at least 4-6 weeks before departing.  Information about CDC’s current MMR vaccine recommendations can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/
2. Practice good hygiene and cleanliness.
3. After your trip, if you feel seriously ill, seek health care.  Tell your provider of recent travel and avoid contact with others while sick.
4. Special advice for pregnant women: Talk with your healthcare provider before traveling to Japan to check whether you are protected against rubella through either vaccination or previous rubella infection and whether it is advisable to travel.

All health care providers on Guam are urged to be on alert for possible cases of rubella and to promptly report suspect cases to the Immunization Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, at 735-7143/7148 or 735-7135. 

For more information, please call the DPHSS Immunization Program at 735-7143.

LEO G. CASIL

Acting Director, DPHSS

PRESS RELEASE

NO.: 2019-007

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Cash Assistance and JOBS Disqualifications for the 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2018

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, releases the statistics for the 3^rd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 (April 2018 to June 2018) relative to the number of clients who were disqualified from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly known as Food Stamp Program), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF – Cash Assistance) and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS).

Of the Twenty-two (22) disqualifications, thirteen (13) failed to disclose properly that members had moved in/out and nine (9) clients were disqualified for crediting food/nonfood items or exchanging cash with their SNAP EBT card, which is considered trafficking.  Nineteen (19) were disqualified for 12 months as a first time violation of the SNAP program and three (3) was disqualified permanently for trafficking over $500.

Individuals who were found to have committed Intentional Program Violation (IPV) through Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) shall be ineligible to participate in the program for:

12 MONTHS for the 1^ST VIOLATION

24 MONTHS for the 2^ND VIOLATION

PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION for the 3^RD VIOLATION

PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION for TRAFFICKING over $500.00

Under the Simplified Reporting on SNAP, households are required to report when their income exceeds 130% of the federal poverty level. This change must be reported by the 10^th of the month following the month the change occurred. To comply with TANF Program requirements, any change in employment, household members moving in or out, or change of address requires that the household report to the department within 10 days from the date the change becomes known to the household.

Reasons for Disqualification:

1. Failed to appear for scheduled appointments
2. Non-Submission of Required Documents
3. Failed to meet work requirements
4. Failed to appear to worksite/training/placement
5. Reinstatement of DQ due to Fair Hearing Decision

Individuals mandated to participate under the JOBS Program and fail to comply, shall be disqualified (DQ’d) from receiving TANF Assistance as follows:

3 MONTHS for the 1^ST VIOLATION

6 MONTHS for the 2^ND VIOLATION

PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION for the 3^RD VIOLATION

Should you have any questions on the SNAP and TANF IPVs please contact Bernice Ann Borja at 735-7344/7379 and on the JOBS DQs, Ms. Christine San Nicolas at 735-7256.