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January - March 2025

We hope you had a great Holiday season with your loved ones!

Some staff not pictured.

Public Health Nursing

What's causing your vomiting and diarrhea?

• Bacterial infections: (e.g., salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter) - often from contaminated food or water. 
• Viral infections: (e.g., Norovirus, rotavirus)- common and highly contagious. 

This time of year, it's probably norovirus, which is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and food poisoning.

You may have heard it referred to as the "stomach bug" or "stomach flu." 

Ugh. How long will my symptoms last? A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed.

• Most common symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain
• Other symptoms: Fever, headache, and body aches
• See a provider if you have signs of dehydration: decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, unusual sleepiness

Is the stomach bug the same as the Flu?

No. The Flu is a contagious RESPIRATORY illness that can have diarrhea and vomiting as a symptom, but it is an entirely different virus. Norovirus is a GASTROINTESTINAL illness that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines.

Who can catch this?

Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus and people of all ages will get infected during outbreaks. Children younger than 5 years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.

How did I get Norovirus?

It is VERY contagious and spreads when tiny particles of infected feces or vomit accidentally get into your mouth or nose. You can get norovirus more than once in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses.

How to prevent the spread:

Norovirus is in your feces and vomit even before you’re feeling sick, and it can stay in your feces for 2 weeks or more after you’re feeling better. You’re most contagious while you’re having symptoms and in the few days after you feel better.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol based hand sanitizers aren’t effective against norovirus. IMPORTANT: Do not prepare, handle food, or care for others when you are sick. Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.

Is there a test?

Whole stool is the preferred specimen for laboratory diagnosis of norovirus. A stool test is not usually necessary to diagnose, as a doctor can often determine if you have it based on your symptoms alone. However, a doctor may recommend a stool test if you have a weakened immune system or another underlying medical issue.

Is norovirus going around right now?

We don’t have a crystal ball to predict what this winter will be like, but the CDC states that “the total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024-2025 season year is above the range reported during the same period during the 2012-2020 and 2021-2024 seasonal years.” 

Stay healthy!

Community Health and Prevention

Strategizing our 2025-2027 Community Health Improvement Plan

In response to the 2024 Community Health Assessment, three priorities have been identified: Mental Health, Substance Use and Healthcare Access. 

To move forward in developing a plan to address the priority areas, Fond du Lac County Health Department and SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac, in collaboration with Healthy Fond du Lac County partners, is hosting 3 community strategizing discussions for the 2025-2027 Community Health Improvement Plan. These sessions are free to attend and open to the public.

Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment

Youth Voice Project

Following the 2023 FACT evaluation, along with feedback from coordinators across the state and discussions with local youth, several key challenges have been identified:

• Disconnected Youth Engagement: Many youth feel disconnected from tobacco and vaping prevention messages and have expressed a desire for more meaningful connections to broader topics, such as mental wellness and social justice.
• Limited Skill Development Opportunities: Wisconsin youth face limited opportunities to develop and apply essential skills, particularly in areas like advocacy and tobacco/vaping prevention.
• Resource Constraints for Coordinators: Local coordinators face challenges related to limited resources, including capacity and funding, which hinder their ability to effectively organize and execute statewide youth initiatives.
• Challenges in Facilitating Personal Meetings: In the post-COVID era, arranging quality face-to-face meetings with legislators and youth has become more difficult, impacting advocacy efforts.

In response to these challenges, coalition coordinators statewide have collaborated to launch the Youth Voice Project. Currently running until January 31st, the project involves students completing Impact Cards, which will be analyzed statewide to identify common themes and insights.

Same Game, Different Smokers

The national exhibition, curated by Tracy Brown, Same Game, Different Smokers came to Fond du Lac Public Library from November 7th to December 7th.  The exhibit explored the troubling 400+ year relationship between the tobacco industry and Black America, highlighting the industry's persistent use of targeted tactics to influence various communities.

This exhibition was sponsored by the Wisconsin Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network. Same Game, Different Smokers was brought to Fond du Lac by the East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention, in collaboration with the Fond du Lac Public Library.

FACT

The East Central Alliance has been an active participant in FACT since 2002, contributing to the ongoing efforts to prevent tobacco use and promote healthier choices for youth in the community. Over the years, the coalition has traditionally employed a Youth Coordinator to oversee and facilitate FACT groups across Fond du Lac County, providing leadership and support for local youth in these prevention initiatives.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the coalition has taken a slightly different approach by subcontracting with two schools in Fond du Lac County to help manage and support FACT group activities. This shift allows for a more collaborative and flexible model, while still maintaining the focus on engaging youth in tobacco prevention efforts. In January, the coalition plans to expand its outreach to additional school districts in the region, offering a half-year stipend to encourage the formation and implementation of FACT groups or clubs in those schools.

At the conclusion of the school year, the coalition will conduct an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of this subcontracting approach. Based on the outcomes and feedback received, the East Central Alliance will determine whether to continue subcontracting directly with schools or return to filling the Youth Coordinator position in the upcoming year to support these critical youth engagement efforts.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Supply Kit for your Car One of the most important actions all drivers need to do this winter is prepare their vehicle with an emergency supply kit. No matter the destination, all motorists need to be ready if something goes wrong. In an emergency, a survival kit is extremely helpful and could save your life along with the lives of your passengers. The good news about an emergency supply kit you don’t need tons of gear and most items you may already have.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 

March is National Nutrition Month! This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us”. Foods that we eat bring people together, help to form lasting memories and influence our health. Cooking and sharing a meal allows for deeper conversations surrounding where our foods come from, how they are prepared and allows for transfer of knowledge and culture from one generation to the next. Nutrition and culture are large parts of the WIC Program as nutritious foods and nutrition education are 2 of the 4 main pillars of WIC. Foods provided to WIC families are set by USDA and backed by science to enhance nutritional status and allow for optimal growth and development. Participating WIC families are able to receive free access to Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) and Nutrition Educators who can help families learn more about nutrition and how everyday nutrition choices impact our health over the lifespan. To apply for WIC, please call (920) 929-3104 or visit: Wic Pre-Application Form

Environmental Health

It’s Radon Action Month!

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. 1 in 10 homes in Wisconsin have high radon levels… Do you know the radon levels in your home?

Now is the best time to test your home for radon, and it’s easy! During the month of January, we are offering HALF OFF short-term radon test kits. If you return your packaged and labeled test to the Health Department on one of the dates listed below, you will receive free shipping! Come visit us at the Health Department on the 3rd floor of the City/County building from 8am-4pm to purchase one for just $5.

Check out our socials this month as we share important facts, tips, and resources!

You can learn more about radon on our website by clicking here.

Fond du Lac County Health Department

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

www.fdlco.wi.gov 

920-929-3085