The Cumberland County Health Department Will Be Closed for Labor Day
Our office will be closed on Monday September 4, 2023 in observance of Labor Day.
Author: Ted Rathe
Recall of Real Kosher Brand Ice Cream On the Go Cups
Real Kosher Ice Cream Issues Recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Real Kosher Ice Cream announced a recall of soft serve on the go ice cream and sorbet cups, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal health problems in children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
For more details, including UPC codes of the recalled products, click the link below to read the original announcement on the FDA website at:
Upcoming IDPH Activities at the Illinois State Fair
Free Immunizations, Physicals, Dental Exams to be Provided for School-Aged Children at State Fair
IDPH will also supply free gun locks during the fair in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will provide a variety of health and safety services during the 2023 Illinois State Fair in Springfield, including free immunizations, physicals, and dental exams for school-aged children. IDPH will also give away gun locks as part of its ongoing partnership with the Illinois State Police (ISP) to promote firearms safety in the state.
The fair runs August 10-20 and IDPH staffers will be on hand each day of the fair at the IDPH tent on the east side of the Annex Building, in a booth at the Illinois Building, and in a booth at Conservation World. The tent and booths will be manned from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, during the fair.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra accompanies a worker from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health during a food vendor inspection at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Boil Order – Village of Toledo 8/14/23
Boil Order Issued for Village of Toledo
UPDATE 8/15/23 10:30 pm - The boil order has been lifted for the Village of Toledo
UPDATE - Due to a water main break, a boil order has been issued for the entire Village of Toledo until further notice.
This will be updated as more information becomes available
Be on the Watch for Rabid Bats
Illinois Department of Public Health Urges Public to Watch Out for Rabid Bats, Other Infected Animals
More than two dozen cases of rabid bats found so far this year
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding the public to be aware of the potential for exposure to rabies from infected animals. Bats are the most common source of potential infection in Illinois, and exposures from bats tend to be more frequent during the summer months, especially July and August. The disease can also be found in other wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.
So far this year, 27 rabid bats have been found in fourteen Illinois counties. There have been five rabid bats each in Kankakee and Lake counties, four in Cook County, and three in McHenry County. Rabies has also been found in bats in Bureau, Clark, DeKalb, Macon, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, Wayne, and Will counties.
“Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It is important that Illinois residents know how to prevent rabies exposure to protect themselves and their loved ones. Rabies can be prevented in a number of ways including vaccinating pets, being cautious around wildlife, and seeking medical care immediately after a potential exposure. If exposed, please seek medical attention immediately.”
Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. People can get rabies from being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If someone wakes up to find a bat in the room, that is also considered an exposure even if they cannot identify a bite.
A bat’s teeth are small, so someone who has been bitten by a bat may not know it, or may be unable to communicate it (for example, very small children). That’s why it’s important that if you discover a bat in your home, you should avoid killing or releasing it; instead, immediately consult with your local animal control or your local health department to determine appropriate next steps. If you have been exposed to rabies, preventive treatment, known as PEP, is necessary. But if the bat or wild animal can be safely captured and tested, and the test comes back negative, no preventive medication is required.
If you have been bitten by any wild animal, seek immediate medical attention. Animal bites may also become infected with bacteria. Rabies preventive treatment, if needed, must begin within a few days of the exposure.
A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground, or is unable to fly is more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often easily approached but should never be handled.
“It’s also recommended to take steps to protect your pets against exposure to rabies,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, Illinois State Veterinarian. “Illinois law requires that all dogs and cats 16 weeks of age and older be vaccinated for rabies and registered with their county. If an animal bites a person or your pet is bitten by another animal, the local animal control must be contacted for quarantine information.”
Other tips to protect your animals:
Please visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture website at: https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/animalhealth/other-species for more information.
The following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:
Steps you can take to capture the bat if animal control is not available:
You can find more information about rabies and how to prevent exposure at the Illinois Department of Public Health website: Rabies (illinois.gov).
You can view the original article, along with tips to protect your family and pets, on the IDPH website at: https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/news
Independence Day hours
Office Hours for the July 4th Holiday
In observance of Independence Day, the Health Department office will be closed Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Voluntary Recall on Frozen Fruit Products
Voluntary Recall Issued for Frozen Fruit Products Due to Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
There is a voluntary recall on specific frozen fruit products sold at several retail stores in Illinois and Indiana, including Walmart and Aldi. These products could contain Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious health issues for some individuals.
For more information, including a list of stores and specific product lot numbers,
check the press release from the US Food & Drug Administration at:
FDA Issues Recall on Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Strawberry Products Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
A recall has been issued for several brands of frozen strawberries, now including Great Value brand products sold by Walmart, due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A. Some of these recalled products have been sold in Illinois and Indiana. The FDA has identified these and other brands affected by the recall. Click the links below to to see the full article, and the FDA listing of affected products.
Juneteenth Holiday Hours
Office hours for the Juneteenth Holiday
In observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday, our office will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023.
Memorial Day Office Hours
Office Closed for Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
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