Submitted by Dr. Alvin D. Jackson, M.D., director of the Ohio Department of Health.

   As spring turns to summer, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) turns its attention to protecting and improving all Ohioans’ health during this most outdoorsy time of year. As Ohio’s doctor, I prescribe the following for healthy swimming, cooking out and avoiding mosquito bites.

   Swim Safely

   ODH and its partners regularly test select inland state parks and Lake Erie beaches for the presence of bacteria that may make some people – particularly children, the elderly and those in poor health – sick if exposed. During the testing season – from Memorial Day to Labor Day – ODH recommends posting warning signs at beaches with elevated levels of certain bacteria.

   Check results for your favorite beaches online at http://www.odh.ohio.gov or by calling toll free 1-866-OHIO-BCH (644-6224).

   Remember, lakes are untreated surface waters and, unlike swimming pools, are not designed for swimming. Gastroenteritis is the most common illness associated with swimming in contaminated water. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever, headache and diarrhea.

   Swimmers can reduce their chances of getting sick by steering clear of visible discharge pipes; keeping their head and face out of the water; not swallowing the water; showering after swimming; and waiting 24 hours after a heavy rainfall before swimming.

   Cookout with Care

   Each year, about 140 cases of illness due to E. coli O157:H7 are reported in Ohio. This bacterium typically causes diarrhea, which can be bloody and severe, and abdominal cramps two to eight days after infection. People with these symptoms should see their physicians.

   The E. coli O157:H7 microbe is blamed for roughly 73,000 infections and 61 deaths in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC). Most illnesses from E. coli O157:H7 are associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Steps you should take to protect yourself and your family include:

   Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before and after eating or preparing food and after touching animals.

   Cook ground beef to 160° F. Test the meat by putting a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Wash the thermometer after each use. Don’t eat ground beef that is pink in the middle. If a restaurant serves you an undercooked hamburger, send it back for more cooking. Ask for a new bun and a clean plate, too.

   Don’t spread bacteria in the kitchen. Keep raw meat away from other foods. Wash your hands, cutting board, counter, dishes and silverware with hot soapy water after they touch raw meat, spinach, greens or sprouts. Never put cooked meat in a container that held uncooked meat.

   Drink only pasteurized milk, juice or cider. Frozen juice or juice sold in boxes and glass jars at room temperature has been pasteurized, although it may not say so on the label.

   Drink water from safe sources, such as municipal water that has been treated with chlorine, wells that have been tested or bottled water. Do not swallow lake or pool water while swimming.

   Wash all fruits and vegetables prior to eating them.

   Fight the Bite

   Mosquito season is upon us and that means Ohioans should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites and possible West Nile virus (WNV) infection. WNV was first detected in Ohio in 2001, and has infected people every year since 2002, when 441 Ohioans were sick; last year, 15 Ohioans contracted WNV. There is no way to predict how the virus will behave in 2009, but because it is spread only by bites from infected mosquitoes, I urge Ohioans to take the following personal protection measures:

   To avoid possible infection from mosquito bites: Be aware that mosquitoes are most active and biting during the early morning and late evening hours. If you plan to be outdoors at dawn or dusk, take extra care to use repellent and wear protective clothing that covers the skin. Light colored fabrics are least attractive to mosquitoes. When using repellents, be sure to follow the label directions.

   To eliminate mosquito breeding sites near your home: Remove all discarded tires and other water-holding containers, such as tin cans and unused flower pots, from your property. Eliminate standing water from your property. Make sure all roof gutters are clean and properly draining. Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty when not in use, and drain water from pool covers. Change water in bird baths weekly.

   For more information on these topics – as well as tips on protecting against skin cancer, heat stroke and exhaustion and fireworks safety – check out ODH’s Summer Safety Web feature at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/summersafety.aspx.