For Immediate Release

May 9, 2017; 3:45pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-050

Continuing Salt Reduction Efforts on Guam

In continuation of the Guam Salt Reduction Initiative, the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Consortium welcomes two other restaurants that have joined us in reducing salt intake and consumption on Guam.

On Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 4:00pm to 5:00pm, The Guam Reef and Olive Spa and the Maine Restaurant will show their commitment by displaying the Salt Reduction trifolds on their dine in tables. These trifolds

educate their customers on the importance of limiting sodium in their diet. The Salt Reduction Action Team (SRAT), a branch of the NCD Consortium’s Nutrition Group will distribute the trifolds to these restaurants/food

establishments on that day as they pledge to remove the Salt Shakers and other salt products (soy sauce, fish sauce, finadene and other salt products) at the dining table and making them available upon customer’s request only.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than 5 grams or 1 teaspoon of salt intake daily. There are many studies showing the correlation of high salt intake and increased incidence of Hypertension and

Stroke: The main risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases. At present cardiovascular heart disease still remains the number one cause of death on Guam. This is why the application of preventive practices, such as salt reduction is very important.

On November 24, 2015, the first salt reduction trifold table displays were distributed. We are giving credit to the Reef better to not mention a competitor. Presently there are 80 other restaurants that are participating in this nutrition

intervention. The success of the Salt Reduction Initiative led to the creation of other healthy eating interventions such as, Healthy Menu Labeling and Healthy Food Options. These nutrition projects have common goals of promoting

the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables that compliments the salt reduction goal of consuming low sodium food items. These trifolds are available for the restaurants and food establishments that are interested in participating.

For more information, please call the Bureau of Community Health Services at 735-7168

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2017; 2:45pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-049

ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSACTION (EBT) SYSTEM

TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF SERVICES

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2017 FROM 12:00AM – 6:00AM

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Bureau of Economic Security would like to announce that there will be a TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF EBT SERVICES for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance Programs (CAP) recipients on Sunday, June 11, 2017, from 12:00AM to 6:00AM. This is necessary to allow the new EBT contractor to take over the operation of EBT system. During this time, SNAP and CAP recipients will not be able to make any transaction using their EBT cards.

Recipients are advised to plan ahead to ensure availability of food and cash on hand during the system downtime.

Should you have any question, please contact Issuance Section at  735-7354 or 735-7361.

For Immediate Release

May 3, 2017; 11:25am

DPHSS Release No. 2017-048

Frito-Lay Recalls Jalapeno Flavored Lay’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips and Jalapeno Flavored Miss Vickie’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips due to Potential presence of Salmonella

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, in coordination with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, would like to inform the public of a recall involving select Jalapeño Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips and Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vickie's Kettle Cooked potato chips.  The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that the potato chips may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella in the seasoning.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

This action is the direct result of a supplier's recent recall of a seasoning blend which includes jalapeño powder that could contain Salmonella. Although no Salmonella was found in the seasoning supplied to Frito-Lay, the company has decided to recall these products out of an abundance of caution.

The products covered by this recall were distributed in retail stores and via foodservice, vending and other channels throughout the U.S.

The recall includes the following products listed below:

All sizes of the following two products that have a "guaranteed fresh'' date of JUL 4 or prior printed on the front upper panel of the package:

• Jalapeño Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips
• Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vickie's Kettle Cooked potato chips

All of the following multipack offerings that have a "use by" date of JUN 20 or prior printed on the multipack package.  In addition, a "guaranteed fresh" date of JUL 4 or prior is printed on the front upper panel of the individual recalled product packages inside each multipack offering.  Any other products or flavors contained in these multipacks are not being recalled.

• 12 count Lay's Kettle Cooked Multipack Sack
• 20 count Frito-Lay Bold Mix Sack
• 30 count Miss Vickie's Multipack Tray
• 30 count Lay's Kettle Cooked Multipack Tray
• 31 count Miss Vickie's Multipack Box

No other flavors of Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips or Miss Vickie's potato chips are impacted or being recalled.  Jalapeño Cheddar Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked 40% Less Fat potato chips are not impacted or being recalled.

To date, the Division of Environmental Health has determined that one of the affected products (Jalapeño Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips), was located and removed from K-mart in Tamuning.  K-mart has confirmed that 526 implicated units have been sold since October of 2016.

The Division of Environmental has also learned that Micronesian Brokers, Inc., a wholesale distribution company carried three cases of the implicated 12 count Lay’s Kettle Cooked Multipack Sack.  Micronesian Brokers Inc. has taken action and removed the affected products from their inventory.

The Department has not received any local report of injuries or illnesses associated with the use of these recalled commodities.  Consumers who are in possession of the items listed above are urged to return it to the place of distribution. 

For any questions, please contact the Consumer Commodities Program at the Division of Environmental Health at 735-7221.

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2017; 3:00pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-047

2017 Senior Citizens Month

May is Senior Citizens Month and the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Division of Senior Citizens (DPHSS, DSC) and it’s community partners are coordinating events in honor of our island’s Manamko.  As events are held off-site, the DSC would like to inform all aging program clients, their families and caregivers, program service providers and vendors, Medicare beneficiaries, and other interested parties, their office located at the Castle Mall Building in Mangilao will be closed as the DSC hosts, coordinates, and implements the activities scheduled in celebration of Senior Citizens Month, as follows:

• Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 11 2017 to coordinate the Guam Conference on Aging at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa.

• Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 to coordinate the Centenarian Celebration at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa.   

We thank you for your support as we pay tribute to our island’s seniors.  Make this celebration a memorable one for our seniors and greet them with a Biba Manamko!

Should you have any questions, you may contact Mr. Arthur U. San Agustin at 735-7415 or 7421. 

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2017; 2:10pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-046

2017 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week

On behalf of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, the Guam Fire Department, and the EMS Community Partners of military and private ambulance companies, the Emergency Medical Services Week Committee is inviting the general public to join them, along with our community partners and supporters for the following events:

1.PROCLAMATION SIGNING, scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 11:30 a.m., at the Governor’s Conference Room, in Adelup.  Join us in witnessing, Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio, officially proclaim the Week of May 21-27, 2017 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

2.PARADE OF LIGHTS EMERGENCY VEHICLES – scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 10:30 a.m.  The Parade of Lights Emergency Vehicles with their lights and sirens on will parade down to Governor’s Office, Adelup from Homeland Security in Agana Heights.

3.    The EMS for Children Mini Health Fair, Saturday, May 27, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Micronesia Mall.  The EMS for Children Health Fair will feature exhibits from Guam Fire Department, Andersen and Navy Fire Department, and Private Ambulance. There will be car seat inspections, CPR demonstrations, ambulance and equipment displays, EMT skill competitions, Kids Mini-Muster and learning activities for the children. Vendor inquiries may be submitted to roma.basa@dphss.guam.gov

Please join us in celebrating and honoring our dedicated and hard-working Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) who provide life-saving care to the people of Guam. The community’s continuous support for a successful Emergency Medical Services Week is greatly appreciated!   

For interested exhibitor participants, please visit the Dept. of Public Health & Social Services, Emergency Medical Services Office, Terlaje Professional Building, 2^nd floor Suite 213, 194 Hernan Cortez Avenue, Hagatna. 

For more information, please email Marlene Carbullido, Acting EMS Administrator at marlene,carbullido@dphss.guam.gov or contact Roma Basa, EMSC Program Coordinator at 735-7411.

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2017; 12:35pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-045

2017 Women’s Conference: Be Your Own Wonder Woman

In recognition of Women’s Health Week, the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (GBCCEDP) will be holding its Women’s Conference: “Be Your Own Wonder Woman” on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa.

Most women juggle busy lives in their roles as a mom, wife, sister, career woman and/or caregiver, but forget their own health.  The conference theme encourages women to take the initiative to be their own superhero in terms of their physical, spiritual, and mental health.

There will be distinguished guest speakers presenting on topics such as breast and cervical cancer, body image, oppression & acceptance, sexual assault and family violence, self-empowerment, success, and giving back to the community.

The conference is FREE to women 18 years old and over.  Seating is limited to the first 130 women registered.  For more information or to register for this conference, please contact Arlie F. Bonto at 735-0672 or arlie.bonto@dphss.guam.gov.  Deadline to register is Friday, April 28, 2017. 

For Immediate Release

April 21, 2017; 3:45pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-044

STD/HIV Graphic Art Contest Display at the Micronesian Mall

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, STD/HIV Program in collaboration with WestCare Pacific Islands and Guam’s Alternative Lifestyle Association (GALA), is pleased to announce the 2017 STD/HIV Graphic Art Contest submitted by high school students on Guam will be displayed at the Micronesian Mall next to Ross Store and Sushi Rock Restaurant from April 22-29, 2017.  Over 30 entries were submitted depicting a super hero-themed mascot that promotes safer sexual behaviors and choices. The overall winner’s design will be featured in the STD/HIV Program’s Prutehi Hao “Protect Yourself” Educational Campaign throughout the year.

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place contest winners will be announced by Friday, April 28, 2017 on the Prutehi Hao website: prutehihao.guam.gov or Facebook page: facebook.com/prutehihao For additional information, please contact Vener Raymundo, Communicable Disease Investigator, at 735-7149.