Health departments urge residents to protect against ticks as Lyme disease screenings expand
With the outdoor season in full swing throughout Illinois, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments would like to remind everyone who enjoys the outdoors the importance of protection against ticks and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Ticks are active into the fall and pose a serious health risk to humans and pets.
Tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Illinois. Have you been exposed? Lyme disease screening is a great opportunity to be tested for tick-borne diseases that have been detected in the state.
Due to this continued risk, the health department and First Choice Healthcare announce they have Lyme disease screening now available at their clinic locations: Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd., 309-852-5272; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St., 309-852-3115.
Most insurances are accepted. MDL labs files insurance claims, and participants will receive “in-network” benefits, including Medicaid and Medicare.
In addition, the health department environment division would like to announce that they have received a special tick collection and testing grant. The grant covers tick testing surveillance activities which include their staff conducting a series of tick collection drags at various sites throughout Henry and Stark County.
The most important thing people can do to “Fight the Bite” is to diligently check themselves, their pets and children for ticks after spending time in areas where ticks live, such as in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush. Removing ticks within a 24-hour period reduces the risk of potential disease transmission.
For more information on the health department’s tick collection and testing or Lyme disease screening visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Health departments remind residents of safe sharps disposal sites in six local communities
June has been designated National Safety Month. Therefore, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics remind residents they have Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, EPA funded residential sharps collection kiosks in six communities, five in Henry County and 1 in Stark County, where citizens may safely drop off their used sharps.
Medical sharps, such as needles, syringes and lancets, pose an injury risk for anyone who comes in contact with these items. Large numbers of sharps are used and generated by individuals and in homes and residences each and every day. If sharps are not disposed of correctly, they can be a safety and health hazard to any children, adults or sanitation workers that may come in contact with them.
The health department is partnering with local law enforcement and county officials, and a pharmacy to locate convenient disposal sites for local residents to utilize.
The residential sharps collection kiosks are located at the following locations during regular business hours:
● First Choice Healthcare Kewanee Clinic, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee
● First Choice Healthcare Colona Clinic, 103 1st St., Colona
● First Choice Healthcare Toulon Clinic, 120 E. Court St., Toulon
● Geneseo Police Department, 119 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo
● Henry County County Courthouse, 307 W. Center St., Cambridge
● Alpha Pharmacy, 211 S. 1st St., Alpha
For more information on the programs and services available through the Henry & Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare call 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments and follow them on Twitter.
Health officials outline food safety standards for cottage food and farmer’s market operators
As farmer’s market season begins across Illinois, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are reminding food vendors of the importance of complying with Illinois food safety regulations to help protect public health and ensure safe food service operations.
Megan Washburn, health department food program manager said, “Cottage food operators and farmers market vendors play an important role in providing locally made and home-produced foods to residents. While Illinois law allows certain foods to be prepared in home kitchens, operators are still responsible for following all applicable food safety requirements, labeling laws and operational standards.”
The health department also reminds operators that food safety requirements are in place to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and help ensure a safe experience for both vendors and the public.
“Our goal is to work collaboratively with local vendors and event organizers to support safe and successful community events throughout the season. We encourage vendors to contact our office early with any questions regarding permitting, food safety requirements, or operational guidance.” said Washburn
For questions regarding cottage food regulations or farmers market operations, please contact the environmental health department at 309-852-0197 option 4.
Health departments promote firearm safety and offer free gun locks to residents
It’s a small device that can save a life. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare note that June is National Safety Month and remind residents they have free gun locks available through their offices and clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon.
Every day, 64 Americans die by firearm suicide — one every 22 minutes. Also of note, households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with a 78%lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85% lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, compared to those that locked neither.
“These simple steps can be life saving for the adolescent or adult who reaches for a firearm in an impulsive gesture during a moment of crisis. Or for a school-age child who thinks the firearm is a toy,” said RaeAnn Tucker, director of health promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Department.
The initiative, aimed at reducing the stigma of addressing gun safety, is part of a growing effort by public health and medical professionals who are treating the country’s gun violence epidemic as a public health crisis.
These gun locks are available through the Veterans Crisis Line. This is a 24/7 Confidential Crisis Support Network. Simply: Dial 988 the Press 1; or Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat; or Text 838255.
Tucker said, “The purpose of this program is to limit young people having easy access to guns. In addition, this initiative is being used to prevent readily accessible guns being in the hands of the wrong people or individuals in mental crisis. Therefore, we encourage family members of and those with mental health concerns to take advantage of these free gun locks.”
Residents can pick up free gun safety locks by stopping by the Henry and Stark County Health Department offices and First Choice Healthcare clinic locations in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd; Colona, 103 1st St.; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Health departments offer CPR skills, monthly training sessions
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments remind residents they offer monthly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification classes.
Rae Ann Tucker, director of health promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Department said, “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. That’s why we encourage people to take a CPR certification class. As the American Heart Association says, “Learn to save a life, learn CPR. The life you save could be that of a loved one.”
CPR training will teach participants to recognize and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies in infants, children, and adults. Instruction will also be given on how to recognize emergencies and actions to take, and understanding the role of AEDs – automated external defibrillators in the cardiac chain of survival.
CPR classes are held on the fourth Tuesday monthly. The class will be held at the health department offices, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee, IL. The classes will run from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost of the Class is $45. Payment and registration is due prior to the class date. These rates are per participant.
There is a set participant “minimum” and “maximum” for classes; so, anyone interested should contact the department at 309-852-0197 Extension 250.
Local health officials offer Henry County Fair outreach
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that their “12 Communities, 12 Months” event for June will be a special outreach display on Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18 from 2 – 4 p.m. in the Merchants Building at the Henry County Fair, Cambridge, Ill. Their staff will offer the public: free accepting and disposal of home expired or unused medications; and free blood pressure checks. There will also be free giveaways and health information. In addition, their Get Covered Illinois Insurance navigator will be available.
Click the link for instructions regarding expired/unused medication and sharps disposal for this event here.
Rae Ann Tucker, director of health promotion with the health department said, “We believe this is going to be a wonderful event as there will be something for everyone interested in getting some great information, taking advantage of free screenings, giveaways, and just spending time visiting and talking with our staff.”
The department and First Choice Healthcare utilize this year-long opportunity to showcase their many programs and services available to area residents and families.
For more information about the “12 Communities, 12 Months” promotions and events call the health department at 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.