Residents should be aware of a scam targeting pet owners searching for lost animals. Individuals are impersonating Lake County Animal Care and Control and other local organizations to exploit individuals during emotionally difficult situations.

In reported cases, scammers contact people who have recently posted online about a missing pet and falsely claim the animal has been found. They then allege the pet has severe, life-threatening injuries requiring emergency surgery or say payment is required to retrieve the pet. The caller demands a large sum of money and pressures the owner by threatening euthanasia, release, or loss of custody if payment is not made immediately.

Residents are urged to remain calm if they receive a call from a suspected scammer and verify any such claims directly with the source through official channels.

• Watch out for common red flags. If you get a message or call that includes any of the features below, be cautious, as it may be a scam:
  • Pressure to send money quickly
  • Reluctance/inability to provide detailed information and/or contact information
  • Threats regarding your pet
  • Excuses about why you can’t see your pet in person

• Verify the claim by contacting the organization directly. Use a publicly listed phone number from an official website, not the number that called you.
• Report the scam to your local police department If you believe you are targeted.

The Health Department’s Animal Care and Control can be reached at 847-377-4700 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This Sunday, Daylight Saving Time (DST) “springs” us ahead one hour. DST starts annually on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. With the sudden time change, we experience less light in the mornings. Waking up in the dark can be challenging because our brain will think it is nighttime and signal our bodies to continue sleeping. The changes in light and time can affect our circadian system and disrupt our sleep.

Take steps leading up to and during daylight saving time to help your sleep and overall health:

1. Keep a sleep routine: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. The night before DST starts, go to bed one hour earlier than normal to prepare.
2. Get outside in the morning: For one to two days leading up to the switch to DST, get outside in the morning. More natural morning light can help preserve your circadian rhythm.
3. Eliminate sleep disturbances: Avoid excess amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and screentime one to two hours before bedtime.
4. Exercise in the morning: Activity raises your body temperature, which can increase your wakefulness and help reset your internal clock.

Visit the CDC for more sleep resources.

It is estimated that more than 1 in 3 people in the U.S. get their drinking water from the ground. The other main source of drinking water is surface water, such as lakes or rivers. Groundwater Awareness Week, occurring during the second week of March each year, is observed as a reminder of how important groundwater is to our health and environment while encouraging yearly water well testing and well maintenance.

Between March 9 and March 20, 2026, the Health Department will be offering a reduced well water testing fee for homeowners who use well water as their primary source of drinking water. The normal $25.00 fee for testing for bacteria and nitrates will be reduced to $20.00.  

Sterile test bottles and sampling instructions are available at the Lake County Central Permit Facility at 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, the Health Department's headquarters at 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, and 19 township or municipal offices located throughout Lake County. To find a location nearest you, call (847) 377-8020 or visit our Water Wells page. Water sampling kits can also be mailed out for $20.00 plus a postage fee. 

Visit the Health Department’s Water Wells page for more information.

March is National Nutrition Month created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. National Nutrition Month encourages making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition," focuses on how food and beverage choices can help power your day.

This year’s National Nutrition Month weekly themes will focus on:

• Power Your Day with Nutrition
• Find Advice Backed by Science
• Stay Nourished on Any Budget
• Feel Good with Healthy Habits

For more information about the themes, visit eatright.org. View the following helpful handouts for 20 Health Tips and Smart Tips for Successful Meals.

Did you know there are often no first signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum)? Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women, and fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Regular routine screenings, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. If you're younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you're older than 75, talk to your healthcare provider about being screened.

Visit the CDC to learn more about colorectal cancer.

March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month, focusing on raising awareness about poisoning hazards and risks, especially for children. Be proactive by adding Illinois Poison Center (IPC) to the contacts in your phone. Their free, confidential helpline is 1-800-222-1222 and is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

The IPC handles a variety of cases, ranging from minor to severe. Poisonings can occur after exposure to medication, vitamins/supplements, plants, household chemicals, automotive products, insect stings, animal bites, lead, carbon monoxide, etc. IPC offers an informative page called, “My Child Ate…,” with an extensive list of substances that include color-coded charts to help you quickly understand toxicity and what you should do next.

Follow these steps in the case of a suspected or confirmed poisoning:

1. Call 911 if someone is unconscious or having trouble breathing
2. Remain calm—most poison emergencies can be resolved over the phone
3. Call the helpline, 1-800-222-1222, if you are concerned that you or someone else has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance

Check out this helpful Home Safety Checklist to prevent poisonings in your home. For more information and resources, visit the IPC.

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day acts as a reminder that we all play a role in ending this preventable and curable disease. TB is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers. There are two types of TB conditions: TB disease and latent TB infection. People with inactive (latent) TB may not feel sick or have symptoms, but they can develop active TB disease at any time. If left untreated, 1 in 10 people with latent TB will get sick with active TB, which can spread to others and be deadly.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for TB.

The Health Department’s Tuberculosis Clinic provides screening, testing, consultation, education, treatment, and home visits for anyone living, attending school, or working in Lake County. Visit our TB Clinic page for more information.