FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cases of influenza activity are significantly rising throughout the state, including in DeKalb County. In 2021, there were 78 influenza like illnesses (ILI) reported by Northwestern Medicine’s Emergency Department from October 31st through November 13th. This year there have been more than double the influenza like illnesses reported (181 reports) during that same time frame.

With the substantial increase in cases, it’s important to know you can still get the flu vaccine for yourself and family members. Getting an annual flu vaccine before the holidays is the best way to protect yourself and your family from flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk\ of flu illness and hospitalization.

Ways to help you and your family prevent the flu:

• Get an annual flu vaccine.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
• Use proper hygiene etiquette by coughing into your elbow instead of your hands; avoid close contact with people who are sick and if you are sick stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
• Take antiviral medication if your doctor prescribes them.

Locally, there are many opportunities to receive the flu vaccine:

DeKalb County Health Department

The Health Department provides flu vaccines for adults and children starting at 6 months of age, with no appointments needed Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4pm.

A parent or guardian must accompany individuals under 18 years of age. Most PPO insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Part B are accepted with no cost to the client. Please bring all insurance cards and a photo ID. DCHD is a Vaccine for Children (VFC) Provider.

Northwestern Medicine

Please contact your primary care provider for information about the flu vaccine at Northwestern Medicine. In addition, Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care Sycamore offers flu vaccines Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm to patients age 3 years and older. High dose flu shots are available for people age 65 years and older. Please bring all insurance cards and a photo ID.

Flu vaccines can also be found at https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/

To learn more about flu vaccinations, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html
https://health.dekalbcounty.org/services/flu-vaccinations/ or
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/flu

For more information about the DeKalb County Health Department services, visit
https://health.dekalbcounty.org/ or follow us on social media. For more information about
Northwestern Medicine location and hours, visit https://www.nm.org/

Local Influenza Activity Rises – News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Year after year residents find themselves testing bulbs and replacing fuses. When that does not work, the lights often end up in the garbage. With this program, DeKalb County can divert all holiday lights from the landfill, as recycled goods. One strand of lights may seem as though it does not help, but even these small contributions help reduce waste going into the landfill.

This year the DeKalb County Health Department’s Holiday Light Program will be a hybrid program with residents able to drop off their holiday lights and extension cords items at the DeKalb County Health Department or the DeKalb County Farm Bureau from November 28, 2022 to January 31, 2023. Additionally, the public can continue take these items to DeKalb Iron and Metal Company (DIMCO) or Zimmerman Recycling in DeKalb directly year-round, at their convenience.

Residents can drop off their non-working holiday lights at the location’s listed during regular operating hours:

For more information about The Holiday Lights Recycling Program, please call 815-748-2408 or email recycle@dekalbcounty.org.

Holiday Lights Press Release 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DeKalb County Animal Control is reporting new cases of Parvovirus in dogs in the City of DeKalb
with the majority of cases in the area North of Lincoln Hwy and West of First St. over the past
week. Parvovirus is specific to dogs and is not transmitted to humans. Parvovirus is most
commonly seen in young puppies but can affect an unvaccinated dog of any age.

Parvovirus is highly contagious and is spread by oral or nasal contact with contaminated feces
in the environment. It is also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as hands,
clothing, food and water dishes, toys and bedding. It’s extremely resistant in the environment
but can be destroyed by using a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 30 parts hot water
to disinfect food and water bowls, bedding, and on outdoor areas such as patios.

If you have a puppy, contact your veterinarian to schedule the Canine Parvovirus vaccination
series. Adult dogs usually receive the Parvovirus vaccination as part of their yearly shot
package. Treatment for Parvovirus can be very costly, so ensuring that your dog is vaccinated
against the disease is extremely important.

Residents are urged to keep all unvaccinated puppies/dog’s safe by not taking them to places
where interaction with other dogs is likely. Additionally, if you are unsure about your dog’s
vaccination status contact your veterinarian to make sure they are protected.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your dog and Parvovirus, please contact your
veterinarian. For a listing of veterinary clinics and hospitals in DeKalb County, please visit the
DCHD website, https://health.dekalbcounty.org/services/animal-control/

News Release – Canine Parvovirus Warning 9-9-22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DeKalb County Health Department confirms that a second bat for 2022 tested positive for rabies on August 29th. The bat bit a person in Sycamore on Saturday, who is now receiving rabies prophylaxis.

Bats are the primary carriers of rabies in Illinois. A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground and unable to fly, may be rabid, however you cannot tell by looking at a bat if it is rabid. The animal does not have to be aggressive or exhibit other symptoms to have rabies. If a bat is found indoors, and you are able to do so without putting yourself at risk for physical contact or being bitten, try to cover the bat with a large can or bucket, and close the door to the room.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Humans can get rabies after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound. Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal disease. If you have been bitten or exposed to a bat, seek immediate medical attention. Bat bites may not be felt while sleeping, and special consideration also needs to be taken when a bat is found in a child’s room or in a disabled person’s living area. Preventive treatment with rabies immune globulin and a vaccine series must begin immediately.

The following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:

• Be a responsible pet owner. Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all pets (indoor/outdoor).
• If a bat is in your home, do not release the bat outdoors until after speaking with animal control or public health officials.
• Seek immediate veterinary assistance if your pet is bitten by a wild animal or exposed to a bat.
• Do not handle, feed or attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn to reduce the risk of exposures to rabid animals.
• Maintain homes and other buildings so bats cannot gain entry.
• All animal bites to humans that occur in DeKalb County must be reported to: DeKalb County Animal Control at (815) 748-2427.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD) is announcing the first confirmed case of MPV (monkeypox) in DeKalb County. The individual is isolating, receiving necessary care, and recovering. The potential contacts of this case have been notified. The risk to DeKalb County residents remains low.

MPV does not spread easily between people. The majority of cases seen throughout Illinois and the United States have been spread through direct intimate contact with a rash or sore on someone infected with MPV. Activities that can spread MPV include kissing, sex, or other activities with skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the MPV virus. It can also spread through clothing, bedding/linens, or other materials used by a person infected with MPV, or through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. MPV can be spread from when symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks. While most cases of MPV are self-limited lasting 2 to 4 weeks, severe cases can occur.

Preventing MPV

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone with MPV
• Don’t share bedding, clothing, towels, personal items, or with someone with MPV
• Do not have sex if you or you sex partner(s) feel sick or have a rash or sores and do not kiss or touch each other’s bodies while you are sick.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have new or unexplained rash, sores, or other MPV symptoms.

For more information, go to:

• https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/monkeypox-mpv/
• https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/monkeypox.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/outbreak/us-outbreaks.html

If you have personal medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider. Community members and agencies can also sign up for the online DCHD newsletter.

Very hot and humid conditions are in the forecast the next few days, which may lead to an increased risk of heat related stress and illness, particularly for individuals who are very young, elderly, and participating in strenuous outdoor activities. With summer temperatures on a rise, DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD) is sharing tips from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to “Beat the Heat:”

Stay Cool

• Stay indoors: Stay in air-conditioned locations as much as possible. • Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
• Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day. These may include seniors and people with chronic health conditions.
• Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a parked vehicle. The air temperature inside a car rises rapidly during hot weather and can lead to brain damage or death.
• Cooling centers are available to provide an air-conditioned place where residents may go to cool off. During normal business hours, cooling centers would include public libraries, police departments, and Government owned buildings.

Below are a few locations and their hours for the next several days:

• DeKalb Senior Center (330 Grove Street, DeKalb, M-F 9:00am-4:30pm)
• DeKalb Public Library (309 Pak Street, DeKalb M-Th 9:00am-9:00pm)
• Genoa Public Library District (240 W. Main St. Genoa, T-Th 10:00am-8:00pm)
• The Sycamore Center (308 W State Street, M-F 8:30am-5:00pm)
• Sandwich Public Library District (925 South Main Street, Sandwich (M-Th 10:00am- 8:00pm, F 10:00am-5:00pm)

Stay Hydrated

• Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to hydrate.
• Avoid alcohol or beverages with high amounts of sugar. Stay Informed.
• Check the local news for extreme heat warnings.
• Know the signs of heat-related illnesses: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
• Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can cause death or permanent disability unless immediately treated. Symptoms of heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F); red, hot, and dry skin; rapid breathing; racing heart rate; headache; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. If heat stroke is suspected, call 911 immediately.

For more information about staying cool during the summer months, follow DCHD on social media and visit https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/infographics/beattheheat.htm or Extreme Heat | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC

Heat PSA June 2022

DeKalb County Animal Control is advising pet owners to protect their pets from canine distemper. The department has seen an increase in cases of confirmed canine distemper virus found in raccoons and skunks tested after displaying abnormal neurologic signs. Canine distemper outbreaks in local raccoon populations can signal increased risk for pet dogs in the area.

Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and dogs.  The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink and ferrets. In wildlife, infection with canine distemper closely resembles rabies.

Puppies and dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal. The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months, and mother dogs can pass the virus through the placenta to their puppies.

All dogs are at risk but puppies younger than four months old and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper are at increased risk of acquiring the disease.  Distemper is often fatal, and dogs that survive usually have permanent, irreparable nervous system damage.

Vaccination is crucial in preventing canine distemper.

• A series of vaccinations is administered to puppies to increase the likelihood of building immunity when the immune system has not yet fully matured.
• Avoid gaps in the immunization schedule and make sure distemper vaccinations are up to date.
• Avoid contact with infected animals and wildlife
• Use caution when socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs at parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy day care and other places where dogs can congregate.
• Pet ferrets should be vaccinated against canine distemper using a USDA-approved ferret vaccine.

DeKalb County Animal Control responds to sick/injured wildlife during normal working hours (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) as time permits, with the exception of skunks (removal service must be utilized). After hours calls for sick/injured and all nuisance wildlife will need to be managed through a wildlife removal service for a fee.  A list of wildlife removal companies can be found on our website. https://health.dekalbcounty.org/services/animal-control/

Canine Distemper PSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Through our partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD) has received an additional supply of over-the-counter iHealth COVID-19 antigen rapid tests for distribution to our community.

Rapid, self-administered testing has potential to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 that occurs when people are infected, but don’t yet have symptoms. These free COVID-19 tests have been given emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can be used at home. Tests require a quick swab inside each nostril and results can be read in just minutes.

DCHD encourages DeKalb County residents to pick up a free COVID-19 rapid test while supplies last by visiting the DCHD at 2550 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. COVID-19 antigen tests can be picked up Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. Each kit has two tests. There is a limit of 1 test per household family member. These tests are available on a first-come-first served basis. The tests are free to all residents.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the DeKalb County Health Department website at https://health.dekalbcounty.org

COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public urged to work together and follow CDC guidance for medium community level

Local health departments belonging to the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC) are advising people who live and work in the region that COVID-19 case rates are rising and now is the time to work together to avoid a surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Most counties in the northern Illinois region – including Cook (city and suburbs), DeKalb, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Kendall, Will and Winnebago – have moved from low to medium community level transmission for COVID-19 in recent weeks. Based on regional metrics, additional counties in northern Illinois are expected to also move to medium community level transmission.

CDC Community Levels show the level of impact COVID-19 illness is having on health and healthcare systems to help communities and their residents decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. The CDC defines medium level as higher than 200 cases per 100,000 residents.
“We want our communities to be proactive and take additional precautions to prevent surges that have been observed in other areas of the country, which could impact hospitals’ resources and our congregate settings that care for the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Sandra Martell, NIPHC President and Winnebago County Health Department Public Health Administrator. “COVID-19 knows no bounds. We are all interconnected and must work together.”

Protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19:

• Know your risks. If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask or a respirator and if you are a candidate for available treatment options.
• Be considerate of others. People are free to wear a mask at any time.
• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations or get vaccinated if you haven’t done so already.
• Stay home if sick and avoid others who are sick. Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms.

“These recommendations are not new but are being emphasized to protect our communities from further increases in COVID-19,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Co-Lead and Senior Medical Officer at Cook County Department of Public Health.

To order free supplies such as masks and test kits and to find treatment locations, vaccine and boosters, visit covid.gov

NIPHC News Release