Thank you to everyone who submitted their pets for consideration for our upcoming tick prevention season! We received over 600 submissions from the Lake County community and over 30 submissions from our Lake County Health Department staff. Eight pets were randomly chosen with six from the general community and two from staff. We are excited to introduce this year’s Lake County Anti-Tick Team:
- Noah, a three-year-old Maltese
- Gummy Bear, a two-year-old Domestic Shorthair
- Ozzy, a three-year-old Australian Shepherd
- Emma, a four-year-old Domestic Shorthair
- Haru, a four-year-old Pitbull (Staffy)/Husky mix
- Pascal, a one-year-old kitten
- Aztec, or Azi for short, a three-year-old German Shepherd
- Lilly, a 14-year-old Grey Tabby
- and the coach, a six-month-old hedgehog named Hattie!
Check out our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to see more information about each pet and continue to follow our social media pages to see what the mascots are up to this tick prevention season.
 |
The Lake County Board of Health recently recognized Steven Carlson for his 17 years of service and contributions as a member of the Lake County Board of Health and long-term Chairman of the Lake County Board of Health and Community Services Committee.
He played a fundamental role in the many successes of the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) and oversaw the funding, planning, and building of many facilities in the LCHD network. He played a key role establishing many other programs and foundations including the Specialty Care and Diagnostic Testing Program and Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation.
His unwavering advocacy for a better Lake County led to awards from both the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Respiratory Health Association. The IAPD award, "Best of the Best Award”, was presented to the LCHD for the successful collaboration with the Gurnee Park District and Waukegan Park District honoring the "Go Lake County". The Illinois Respiratory Health Association “Lung Health Champion” award was received after the passing of county legislation to create Smoke Free Lake County, which in turn created the ground swell and support of Tobacco 21 legislation passing in Illinois in 2019.
Steven Carlson truly embodied the mission of the LCHD to "Promote the Health and Well-Being of all who Live, Work and Play in Lake County" and his work and dedication to the community will be felt for years to come.
|
|
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month occurs annually in May. Mental health is an important part of your overall health. Every year during the month of May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness and advocate for mental health and access to care. This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the “More Than Enough” message. It is a chance to come together and remember the value each of us hold — no matter your diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. Even if all you did was wake up today, that’s more than enough. No matter what, you are worthy of more than enough life, love and healing. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough.
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
The Lake County Anti-Tick Team would like to recognize that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Although ticks can be present year-round, they are most active during warmer months. Ticks may be small in size, but we still need to protect ourselves, our families, and our pets against the diseases they can carry, especially Lyme disease.
Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. If infected, ticks can transmit diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI), tularemia, and others when they bite humans or animals. If left untreated, some tick-borne diseases can cause serious illnesses and may be fatal.
To learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones from tick-borne diseases and to know what to do if you are bitten by a tick visit FighttheBiteNow.com.
|
Healthy Vision Month
Healthy Vision Month occurs annually in May, a time to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and to encourage everyone to get their eyes checked regularly. Scheduling regular eye exams, including dilation, can help diagnose common vision problems and eye diseases. If it has been awhile since your last eye exam, we encourage you to schedule an appointment this month.
Visit the CDC for more information about Health Vision Month.
National Women's Health Week
National Women’s Health Week is celebrated each year, beginning on Mother’s Day, to encourage women and girls to make their health a priority. The theme for this year is, “Women’s Health, Whole Health: Prevention, Care and Wellbeing.”
There are many things women can do to improve their physical and mental health, including:
-
Getting regular checkups, including an annual well-women exam
- Staying active
- Eating a balanced diet
-
Prioritize your mental health and how to cope with stress
For more information and resources, visit the CDC.
|
World Hand Hygiene Day
May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day, a day to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene. Washing your hands more regularly can prevent the spread of infection to not only yourself but to others. It is especially important to thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm soap and water after using the bathroom, preparing food, before eating, and after caring for someone who is sick. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Visit the CDC for more information about how to protect yourself and loved ones from the spread of germs by cleaning your hands often.
|
|
In observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center and its partners are hosting a free community event to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the prevention, care, and treatment of hepatitis. This event will take place on Tuesday, May 16, at the Lake County Building, 18 N. County Street in Waukegan, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At this event, participants can learn about hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Information on resources available in Lake County, such as testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), will also be available. Attendees can receive free blood pressure screening, referrals for Hepatitis A and B vaccinations and other Health Department services and schedule a confidential appointment for free hepatitis C and HIV tests at the Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Infections program office, 2400 Belvidere Road in Waukegan.
On April 28, 2023, General Mils voluntarily issued a nationwide recall of 2-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound bags of Gold Medal Bleached and Unbleached All-Purpose Flour with “Better if Used By” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. The flour is being recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella Infantis. Specific recalled flour code dates can be found here.
Do not use any recalled flour— either throw it away or return it to the store it was purchased from. Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria— most people recover without treatment after four to seven days. Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following severe Salmonella symptoms are present:
-
Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
-
Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
-
Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
-
Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
-
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Visit the CDC for more information about Salmonella.
 Ready to make an impact in your community? A two-person team meets people who are experiencing mental health crises, wherever they are and whenever they need it. Your care and support could help resolve crises before they become life-threatening. Join a diverse team that supports each other as much as we support the community. You can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote a more compassionate and informed approach to mental health care in your community. Part-time and full-time positions are available with a sign-on bonus and great benefits, including health insurance.
Where do I find information about...
Who can I contact to ask a question about...
-
Lake County Health Department Services: Call (847) 377-8000
-
COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
|
