SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As summer approaches, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today more than $2.8 million in funding to health departments across Illinois to perform surveillance, prevent and control mosquitoes to prevent against the West Nile virus. Last year in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) received reports of 101 people infected with West Nile virus, four of whom died. These cases were reported in all regions of the state, from Cook County to Williamson County and from Rock Island County to Wabash County. (Click on link for full article)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help keep you safe and healthy this summer, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, today announced the public can now check the water quality at beaches across the state with just the click of a button. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Web site, www.idph.state.il.us now includes information about public and private beaches, including water testing results, advisories or beach closures and beach monitoring history. (Click on link for full article)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – At this time the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed 29 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul in Illinois that have a genetic fingerprint that matches the national outbreak pattern. However, this number will most likely change as more cases are identified. A person may become ill with Salmonella and not seek medical attention, which is why the reported 29 cases may not provide a complete picture of the number of cases actually occurring in the state. All 29 cases are in northeastern counties of Illinois and six people have been admitted to the hospital.(click on link for full article)

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is warning residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent contracting the diseases ticks can carry. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Now through June is the peak period for tick activity, since ticks become active when the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more at ground level.
(Click on link for full article)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 10, 2008- If you smoke and would like to quit, or know someone who wants to quit, call the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line toll-free at 1-866-QUIT-YES (1-866-784-8937) to enroll in our "Break the Habit" program. The McDonough County Health Department, The Illinois Department of Public Health, and The Illinois Tobacco Quit Line which is operated by the American Lung Association have partnered together to provide this program. "Break the Habit" is a program that will provide counseling to the smoker and offer nicotine patches to the McDonough County resident at a reduced fee. Please call the Quitline at 1-866-784-8937 to enroll today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 28, 2008- According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of January 1, 2008, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act requires that public places and places of employment must be completely smoke-free inside and within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes. This includes but is not limited to:
• Public places and buildings, offices, elevators, restrooms, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores
• Restaurants, bars, taverns and gaming facilities
• Lobbies, reception areas, hallways, meeting rooms, waiting rooms, break rooms and other common-use areas
• Concert halls, auditoriums, enclosed or partially enclosed sports arenas, bowling alleys, skating rinks, convention facilities, polling places and private clubs
• Hospitals, health care facilities, health care clinics, child care, adult care or other similar social service care
• No less than 75 percent of hotel or motel sleeping quarters rented to guests
• Public conveyances, government-owned vehicles and vehicles open to the public
If you have any questions please contact the McDonough County Health Department at (309) 837-9951 and ask to speak with the Tobacco Coordinator.

During the month of April 2008, 50 initial food sanitation inspections were performed by the McDonough County Health Department. Inspections are performed based on the requirements of the Illinois Food Service Sanitation Code and three risk categories.

The following Category I* facilities received 90 percent or higher and no critical violations on the initial inspection: Bushnell Rec. Center, Alfano’s Pizza, Thompson Hall, McDonough District Hospital, WIU Union, Burger King (WIU), Catch A Star, Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary, Dairy Den, Bushnell Locker Service, Prairie City Nursing Home and Grand Prairie Assisted Living.

These Category II* facilities received 90 percent or higher and no critical violations on the initial inspection: Meyer’s Express Mart (food Service), Dairy Queen, Stack’s and Casey’s Foodservice (Colchester).

These Category III* facilities received 90% or higher and no critical violations on the initial inspection: Meyer’s Express Mart (Retail), and WIU Union C-Store.


*Category I: Presents a high risk of causing foodborne illness based on the large number of food handling operations performed and the type of population served by the facility. Example: a full service restaurant, nursing home, or day care.

*Category II: Presents a medium risk of causing foodborne illness based upon the few food handling operations performed at the facility. Example: some fast food type facilities.

*Category III: A facility that presents a low risk of causing foodborne illness based on no handling operations that would be implicated in a foodborne outbreak. Example: convenience stores that also sell milk.

The next regular meeting of the Board is February 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the McDonough County Health Department, located at 505 East Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois.