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Lake County Health Department

Monday, April 22, 2013

Water Levels Receding, Recovery Efforts Underway

As the flood waters begin to recede, Lake County continues efforts to aid residents in recovery efforts.

The Lake County Emergency Operations Center remains open as the county continues to coordinate with government agencies on flood response efforts. As of Monday morning, the Des Plaines River at Gurnee had crested and water is slowly receding. The Chain O'Lakes/Fox River is expected to crest sometime today. Officials estimate structures on an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 parcels across the county have been impacted by the floods.  Current Conditions Chain O'Lakes/Fox River System The Chain appears to be cresting today. Tributaries remain full or nearly full, and there is limited capacity for additional stormwater runoff. The forecast calls for potentially between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches Tuesday and Wednesday. It is not expected to …

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HM

8:56 am on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

What can the village do? If it is their fault that you flooded, then they should help. Otherwise, I'm not sure why they should pay for Waste Management to pick up your garbage. This begs the question - Do you have flood insurance? Sadly, most people do not realize that they have no coverage if they flood. Most of Grayslake is not in a flood plain, so you can get federal flood insurance through …   more ›

Friday, April 19, 2013

Health Dept. Offers Water Tests for Flood Victims

Did your home experience flooding this week? The Lake County Health Department is offering free water testing to residents with wells.

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is urging Lake County residents to take precautions to minimize health hazards during and after the floods. The health department is urging people who are not part of the cleanup effort to stay clear of the flood waters to avoid contamination, especially in areas where homes are served by individual septic systems.  Septic systems are a cause for concern because they can release sewage into the floodwater when they are submerged.   The health department is offering free water testing to residents whose wells are affected by flood waters. Residents can pick up sterile bottles to be filled and returned for analysis, and obtain information about disinfecting wells at the Lake County …

Rainie Flores

10:48 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013

Residents should join this project. This will definitely benefit them. This is a great opportunity for them to ensure their water is safe to use. - http://www.cannonwater.com/   more ›

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Health Dept. Tips for Flood Situations

The Lake County Health Department advises residents to be careful during flooding.

The recent rains in Lake County have brought about incidents of flooding and possible sewer back-ups in a number of areas. The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center recommends the following steps to minimize health hazards for residents who have experienced flooding in or around their homes: Do not hesitate to ask any questions if you have any doubts about the safety of any food, water or conditions around your home. Call Environmental Health Services of the Lake County Health Department at: (847) 377-8020. You can follow PASSAGE on Twitter @LCPASSAGE for current road conditions and Alert Lake County on Twitter @AlertLakeCounty for flood conditions.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Lake County Ranks 16th in the State for Healthy Residents

Though Lake County ranks in the top 20 of 102 counties throughout Illinois, it's a measurable drop from 2012.

Despite improvements in areas including sexually transmitted infections and violent crime, Lake County is not as healthy as it was just a year ago, according to the 2013 County Health Rankings, which were released this week. Of 102 counties in Illinois, Lake County ranks 16—a seven-spot drop over 2012's rank of 9. In 2011, the county's health ranking was 8. While there is room for improvement given the consecutive drops in rank, the Lake County Health Department is not discouraged. "While our county ranking dipped from 9th to 16th, we are still a very healthy county compared with Illinois as a whole," said Mark Pfister, Director of Population Health Services at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. "As a result of …

Jack Koenig

11:21 am on Friday, March 22, 2013

It's easy Nick: when liars lie, they can't keep track of what they said five minutes ago!   more ›

Friday, March 8, 2013

Get Your Ground Water Tested at Lake County Health Department

Worried about the quality of your ground water? The Lake County Health Department is offering reduced water testing rates March 11-21.

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center will offer reduced water testing rates in observance of National Ground Water Awareness Week in March. Water samples can be brought to the Lake County Central Permit Facility and Environmental Laboratory, 500 W. Winchester Rd. in Libertyville between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. March 11-21. During this time, the normal $16.00 analysis fee for testing for bacteria and nitrates will be reduced to $10.00 for well owners. "About 90,000 Lake County residents rely on ground water from aquifers to supply their private wells," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "The Health Department encourages all users of private wells to take this time to have their drinking water…

Lake County Health Department Promotes AIDS Awareness

Free health screenings will be included in the Lake County Health Department's observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Monday, March 11 in Waukegan.

In observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center will participate in the nationwide movement "Share Knowledge. Take Action" to raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS among women and girls. The public is invited to a free event on Monday, March 11, in the lobby of the Belvidere Medical Building, 2400 Belvidere Rd. in Waukegan, from noon to 4 p.m. During the event, information, screening and education about transmission and prevention, and care and treatment of HIV will be provided. Information about viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections will also be available. "Women of all ages are at risk for HIV/AIDS and account for 24 percent of all HIV …

Monday, January 28, 2013

Youth Substance Abuse Remains an Issue in Lake County

Youth survey shows alcohol is substance used most by youths.

Nearly 20,000 middle and high school students in Lake County participated in the 2012 Illinois Youth Survey (IYS)—a state wide survey with questions about drugs, nutrition and safety. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has funded the administration of the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) biennially since 1990. Lake County's survey included participation by 68 percent of the county's middle schools and 71 percent of the county's high schools. The following are some of the survey findings for Lake County: High school students reported a decrease in the past 30 day use of marijuana (10th grade -16 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2012; 12th grade -27 percent in 2010 to 25 percent in 2012). "It is so important to have this data to …

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Lake County Underage Drinking Task Force Awarded $625,000

The Task Force will work to address underage drinking and prescription drug abuse in Lake County

  The Lake County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force has received funding of $125,000 per year for the next five years through a grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy totaling $625,000. The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant was awarded to 60 communities nationally, with 608 continuation grants for 2012. The Task Force is the fourth coalition in Lake County to receive the competitive grant, with the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center as the fiscal agent and employer of the program coordinator. The Speak Up Prevention Coalition serving the Lake Forest area, the Mundelein STAND UP Task Force are current Drug Free Communities grantees and the Coalition for Healthy Communities is completing 10 years of …

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Lake County Pertussis Cases Surpass Last Year's Total

Health Department recommends Tdap booster.

  The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center reports that the number of pertussis cases in Lake County thus far this year (178) have already surpassed last year's total for the full year (175). This is the highest number of cases reported since 1959. The Health Department is encouraging adolescents and adults to receive the Tdap booster for additional protection against this illness.   "To address this outbreak, everyone 11 years of age and older should receive the Tdap booster," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director.  "While this illness was on the decline just a few years ago, it is now a major reportable disease in Lake County. And not only Lake County is affected. Illinois currently has the fifth …

Friday, September 7, 2012

Update: Lake County Has Fifth Case of West Nile Virus

Health Department reports five human cases including a 69-year-old man from Lake Zurich.

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 …

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