Mosquito “pools”, or batches of mosquitoes, sampled on June 27 in Bannockburn, Lake Villa, and Vernon Hills have tested positive for West Nile virus. These mosquito pools are the first confirmed indicators of West Nile virus presence in Lake County in 2023.
Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness. However, some may become ill usually 3 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle ache. In some individuals, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.
Practice the “4 Ds of Defense” to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
- Drain: Drain standing water from items around your home, yard, and business.
- Defend: When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, or IR3535 and reapply according to label directions.
- Dawn and Dusk: Protect yourself all day and night, and wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
- Dress: Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes when outdoors to cover your skin.
Visit FightTheBiteNow.com to learn more about staying safe from mosquitoes this summer. Residents can also call the West Nile Virus Hotline at (847) 377-8300 to learn more about the signs and symptoms of West Nile Virus, or report areas of stagnant water or locations of dead birds.
Read the full press release
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A map of air quality in the United States on June 27, 2023.
Last week, Lake County and surrounding areas experienced air quality that reached levels considered to be very unhealthy. The poor air quality was a result of smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Fortunately, the air quality index returned to acceptable levels in just a few days.
It is important to know the basics of air quality to keep yourself and your family healthy.
Why is air quality important?
Air quality can change from day to day. Many people live in areas where air pollution can cause serious health problems. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, especially people with lung and heart diseases, older people, teenagers, and children. Poor air quality can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains and asthma attacks, irritated throats, and coughing.
What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
The AQI is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tool for communicating daily air quality. It uses color-coded categories and provides statements for each category that tell you about air quality in your area, which groups of people may be affected, and steps you can take to reduce your exposure to air pollution. The AQI monitors five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
AQI ranges from 0 to 500. The higher the number, the greater the health concern. AQI of 100 or below are generally satisfactory.
How do I monitor air quality in my area?
- Visit AirNow.gov.
- Enter your location to see air quality data.
- Read about the current air quality in your area to learn who is affected and what you can do to stay healthy and safe.
Did you know that a bite from the lone star tick can trigger a person’s reaction to the sugar molecule alpha-gal? Alpha-gal is found in meat (pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, etc.) and products made from mammals (including gelatin, cow’s milk, and milk products). It is not found in fish, reptiles, birds, or people.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) can be a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of AGS can occur after people are exposed to products that contain alpha-gal. At this time, more research is needed to understand the role ticks play in starting this reaction to alpha-gal.
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 For more information and a full list of symptoms, visit the CDC’s AGS webpage.
For more information about staying protected from ticks, visit FightTheBitenow.com.
Make sure your child doesn’t miss out on the 2023-24 school year! Get back to school with recommended vaccines and checkups. By doing so, you are:
- Protecting the health of your child and their classmates
- Helping your child focus on learning
- Keeping your child in school more
- Making sure your child isn’t left out of sports and activities
Schedule your vaccines and physicals now! Call your provider for an appointment. To find resources for vaccines, dental, hearing, and vision, visit bit.ly/lchd-back2school.
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Lakes Appreciation Month
Lake County, Illinois is home to many lakes that are enjoyed by residents for swimming, fishing, recreation, and more. Our lakes are a valuable resource and must be properly managed if they are to be enjoyed by future generations. The Lake County Health Department’s Ecological Services program has passionate staff and volunteers who work to maintain and improve water quality, promote healthy and safe conditions, and protect and improve the ecological diversity of our lakes.
Here are some ideas of how you can celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month:
- Visit the Lake County Forest Preserves website to find a lake near you to enjoy.
- Enjoy your lake with fun summertime activities, such as swimming, kayaking or canoeing, fishing, and more
- Organize a cleanup event
- Organize a hike or biking event with a focus on your local lake
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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
 July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to bring awareness to the challenges that some racial and ethnic minority groups face regarding mental health.
Mental health is just as important as physical health at all stages of life. It affects how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call our Crisis Care Program to speak with a counselor at (847) 377-8088 or by walking in at 3002 Grand Avenue, Waukegan. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month
This is a time to spread awareness about the importance of protecting our eyes and skin from UV rays. Protecting yourself from UV rays is extremely important, as most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure. Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get Vitamin D; make sure you do so safely. Watch this video and learn how to protect yourself from UV rays |
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World Hepatitis Day – July 28
World Hepatitis Day is a day to raise awareness about Hepatitis. Hepatitis affects more than 354 million people worldwide. This year's theme is "I Can't Wait", highlighting the need to speed up efforts to end hepatitis elimination and the importance of tests and treatment.
The Health Department’s Need2Know Lake County program offers testing, treatment, and case management. To learn more, visit https://www.lakecountyil.gov/need2know or call (847) 377-8450.
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Where do I find information about...
Who can I contact to ask a question about...
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Lake County Health Department Services: Call (847) 377-8000
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COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
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