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October - December 2024

Public Health Nursing

Fall is in the air! You know what else could be? The flu, RSV and COVID-19. Make a plan to get vaccinated to protect you and everyone around you from serious illness so you are able to enjoy all the season has to offer!

Talk to your health care provider or use vaccines.gov to find where vaccines are available near you.

There are many practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from common respiratory viral illness such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV. 

This includes staying up to date on vaccines, practicing good hygiene, staying home when ill to prevent spread, wearing masks, practicing distancing from others when ill, and getting tested.

See more in the snapshot below!

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, talking or other close contact. Pertussis continues to circulate through Fond du Lac County. Early symptoms may be similar to common cold: runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild occasional cough. Contact your primary care provider if you are experiencing symptoms and have been exposed.  If you do not have a primary care provider, contact SSM Health Express Clinic at     920-926-8492.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination as the best way to prevent pertussis infection. To check if you and your loved ones are up to date on your DTaP and Tdap vaccines, visit Wisconsin Immunization Registry. Talk to your health care provider or use vaccines.gov to find where vaccines are available near you.

October is Infant Loss and Prevention Month.  Our Maternal Child Health Nurses along with community partners work diligently to prevent infant loss in our community.

Fond du Lac County Health Department collaborates with St. Vincent de Paul to bring Pack N' Plays to families in our community that need them.

We provide safe sleep education during home visits that includes following the ABC's of safe sleep, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention measures and more. 

Related to Infant Loss and Prevention Month is another team the Maternal Child Health Nurses at the Health Department coordinate called Child Death Review (CDR) Team. 

We meet quarterly with community partners to review any child death cases that occur in our county, identify risk factors and offer prevention recommendations. 

“Every year in the United States, almost 37,000 children die before their 18^th birthday. The death of a single child is a profound loss to a family and community, bringing unjust suffering and the pain of unfulfilled promises. Understandably, when a community is affected by a child’s death, it wants answers and a deep understanding of how and why the child died. These answers can help communities have a clearer understanding of underlying risk factors and inequities that they may not identify otherwise.” - National CDR 

Community Health and Prevention

The 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA) report is here! Read it on our website. This report outlines the findings of the CHA and identifies the top health priorities that the Community Health Improvement Plan will address. 

The top health priorities that were identified in the 2024 CHA are mental health, substance use and healthcare access. 

Next Steps 

Check out our Healthy Fond du Lac County webpage for more updates or sign up here to receive email updates on when opportunities are available to be part of planning sessions, coalitions, or committees that take action towards health goals. 

Narcan Training

In collaboration with community partners and Mirrorless Productions, Fond du Lac County Health Department (FCHD) filmed a Narcan Training Video to raise awareness for the risk factors of an overdose, signs of an overdose and to learn the steps it takes to effectively help someone experiencing an overdose. 

At FCHD, we offer Narcan kits, Narcan education/training and Fentanyl Test Strips at no cost. 

Give us a call at 920-929-3085 to schedule a training and/or a time to stop in to pick up kits. 

Drug Take Back Day

Safely dispose of your unused or expired medications, including pet medications on Friday, October 25th from 9am-11am at Ripon Senior Activity Center.

Drive thru and drop your items into a bin - That's it! 

Prescription and over-the-counter medications accepted: 

• Cream, ointments
• Pills, capsules, patches
• Inhalers, non-aerosol sprays
• Pet medications accepted
• Liquids must be in original container

In partnership with Ripon Senior Activity Center, Ripon Police Department and Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac. 

Safe disposal is easy and saves lives! 

Emergency Preparedness 

This year daylight saving time is      Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. When it’s time to change your clocks, check your preparedness safety kit. It’s a great time of year to make sure your emergency stockpile is not missing any essential items and that any food you have in there has not passed its expiration date. Store your safety kit in a location that is safe of falling objects, flood water, extreme heat and cold or any other potential threat posed by disasters in your area. Have all your supplies in a backpack or duffel bag for easy transporting if you need to leave your home. Here are 10 essential items you should have in your emergency safety kit. Three-day supply of water, with one gallon of water per person per day Three-day supply of non-perishable foods Manual can opener First-Aid kit Radio and blankets Flashlight and lanterns Batteries Whistle to signal for help Prescription medications Battery-operated or solar cellphone charger

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

What is the purpose of WIC?

The purpose of the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to promote and maintain the health and well-being of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women as well as infants and children (under age 5). WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition and breastfeeding information, and referrals to other health and nutrition services. WIC also promotes and supports breastfeeding. How can families sign up for WIC? Apply for WIC Here: wicvendorwi.gov Call the WIC office at 920-929-3104 Apply in person at our office | 160 S. Macy Street, Fond du Lac.

Looking for a new fall recipe?

Check out the Turkey Chili recipe below using some WIC approved ingredients! 

Environmental Health

Gathering with family is part of many holiday celebrations.

Follow the tips below to help prevent foodborne illness during the holidays!

• Keep foods separated 
  • Keep raw meat and it's juices separated from other foods by storing them in containers or plastic bags. 
• Cook food thoroughly 
  • Use a food thermometer to make sure all meat has been cooked to a safe internal temperature. 
• Keep food out of the "danger zone" 
  • Bacteria can grow rapidly in the danger zone, which is between 40°F and 140°F. 
• Use pasteurized eggs for dishes containing raw eggs
  • Salmonella and other harmful bacteria can live both on the outside and inside of normal eggs. 
• Do not eat raw dough or batter
  • E. coli and Salmonella can be found in these raw doughs through eggs or flour. 
• Thaw your meat safely
  • Thaw your meat in the fridge or in a sink of cold water (changing water every 30 minutes). 
• Wash your hands with soap and water
  • Frequently when preparing food and before and after eating. 

Fond du Lac County Health Department

160 S Macy St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935

www.fdlco.wi.gov 

920-929-3085