Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The Lake County Health Department has a number of recommendations for parents on how to "Tame the Candy Monster" this Halloween.
Halloween is all about the candy and costumes, right? While parents are happy to accompany their children trick-or-treating in their favorite ghost, goblin, princess or superhero costume, all that candy can get in the way of a healthy diet if it isn't monitored, according to the Toby Smithson, RD, LDN, CDE Community Dietician with the Lake County Health Department. Smithson is advising parents to utilize some helpful tips to avoid over-consumption of goodies, while allowing kids to enjoy the holiday in the healthiest possible way. These suggestions include: Parents can also look into Halloween Candy Buy Back programs sponsored by area dentists to find a place for excess candy. All you have to do is visit the link above and plug in your …
Friday, September 7, 2012
Four cases have been reported in Lake County this year, including in Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich and Grayslake.
Update 1:27 p.m. One more Lake County resident has contracted West Nile Virus, for a total of 5 cases, according to Leslie Piotrowski, communications manager for the Lake County Health Department. A 60-year-old Mundelein man was diagnosed today. Piotrowski said of the total five cases of West Nile Virus in Lake County, all victims are recovering. She said some were hospitalized and others not. Piotrowski said four of the cases occured in August with the fifth in September. The cases have been concentrated in south Lake County. Four of the five cases were age 60 or more. "People over the age of 50 more likely to develop serious illness from West Nile Virus," Piotrowski said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 80 …
Thursday, August 16, 2012
This is the first human case in Lake County since 2010.
The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center reports that a 68-year-old male resident of Buffalo Grove (the Lake County side) tested positive for West Nile encephalitis. He was hospitalized and discharged. This is the county's first human West Nile virus case since 2010. In addition to the human case, 52 pools (batches) of mosquitoes and three birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Lake County this year. Lake County is currently tracking ahead of its count for the year 2005, which had the highest number of positive mosquito pools and birds. That year, 167 mosquito pools, 12 birds, and 11 people tested positive for the illness and one death occurred. The Health Department is continuing to urge people to take …
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Two birds — in Round Lake and Long Grove — also tested positive for West Nile, according to the Lake County Health Department.
Thirty-two mosquito pools (or batches of mosquitoes), sampled throughout Lake County, have tested positive for West Nile virus, Lake County Health Department officials said. The positive batches were primarily concentrated in southern Lake County. Additionally, two birds collected in Round Lake and Long Grove tested positive for the virus. Although no human cases have been identified in the County thus far this year, health officials warn that the risk for West Nile virus transmission has significantly increased. "The last time we had a similar high number of positive mosquito batches at this time of year was in 2005, which resulted in 11 human cases and one death," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "This makes…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
This year, all sixth- and ninth-graders in Illinois must show proof that they received the Tdap vaccine for whooping cough.
Today, health officials and organizers from around the State of Illinois are partnering up to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children against deadly diseases by getting vaccinated. With kids headed home from overnight camp, and the beginning of the school year just around the corner, parents are being urged to make sure their children are up-to-date with vaccinations. This year, four prominent health organizations in Illinois are partnering to send the message that making sure children are fully vaccinated is especially important in preventing deadly diseases. The Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), which is made up of 11 public health departments including the Lake County Health Department, is joining…
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Mosquitoes that carry dangerous virus thrive in dry conditions, according to the Lake County Health Department.
A mosquito pool (or batch of mosquitoes), sampled July 6 in Mundelein, has tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of the disease's presence in Lake County in 2012. In 2011, no human cases, one bird, and 14 mosquito pools tested positive for the virus in the county. "Hot weather typically increases mosquito activity," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "You can protect yourself against mosquito bites by following the three R's - reduce your exposure to mosquitoes, repel them by wearing insect repellent, and report areas where mosquitoes typically breed." Despite the lack of rain, mosquitoes are still active in many areas of the County. It is particularly important …
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Third rabid bat of this year was found in Lake Barrington.
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Sunday, June 3, 2012
The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center continues to urge Lake County residents to avoid contact with bats, and to follow public health recommendations whenever there is contact with a bat. A bat, found in a Lake Barrington home on May 24, has tested positive for rabies. This is the third bat that tested positive for rabies in Lake County this year. The other two were found in Beach Park and Lake Villa. In the Lake Barrington case, family members found the bat dead on the floor of one of the bedrooms. As a result, the child who slept in the bedroom as well as four additional family members are receiving rabies post exposure vaccinations in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines and health care provider …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Students entering sixth and ninth grades will need to show proof that they received a booster shot against pertussis.
For the 2012-13 school year, all students entering sixth and ninth grades will be required to show proof that they have received a booster vaccination against pertussis, or whooping cough. The Lake County Health Department said Illinois has seen a resurgence of whooping cough in recent years, with 175 cases in 2011 compared to just 10 cases in 2000. Libertyville Elementary District 70 has seen just three reported cases of whooping cough this year, said Public Relations Facilitator Robin Smith Kollman. According to the Lake County Health Department, most children are vaccinated against pertussis as infants. That protection wanes over time, however, leaving pre-teens, teenagers and adults at risk of contracting whooping cough. The state of …
Friday, April 6, 2012
Lake County ranked ninth out of the 102 counties in Illinois.
A recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks Lake County among the top 10 healthiest counties in Illinois. According to a press release from the Lake County Health Department, Lake County ranks ninth out of Illinois' 102 counties. The following factors were used to measure counties' healthiness: length of life, quality of life, clinical care, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment. The report, which was completed with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranked neighboring McHenry County at fifth in Illinois. "Overall, we are pleased with the ranking, which for the third consecutive year puts Lake County among the top 10 healthiest counties in Illinois," Irene Pierce, executive…
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
In celebration of National Public Health Week, April 2-8, Lake County Health Department offers tips of leading a healthier life.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Even the seemingly small actions you take can make a big difference when it comes to public health. In observance of National Public Health Week, April 2-8, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is offering up some small steps you can take to prevent illness and live a longer life. Stay Active, Eat Healthy Park a distance from the door of your destination and walk, take the stairs inside buildings or step away from the computer screen and take a walk outside. Aim for 60 minutes for children and 30 minutes for adults each day. Not being physically active is a primary reason for a third of adults being overweight or obese and one in six children and adolescents being obese. Choose Less Sugar, Fat Reach for an apple …
Donny
4:22 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Zombies transmit rabies too yes? more ›