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Multiple states have reported potential cases to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of high blood lead levels (BLLs) in children consuming recalled cinnamon-containing applesauce products that have high levels of lead. Do not eat, sell, or serve multiple brands of recalled apple cinnamon fruit pouches. FDA's investigation is still ongoing.
Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)

Give back to your community during this Giving Season! BCHD is collecting non-perishable, non-expired food (that won’t freeze) and baby supplies between November 27^th and January 2^nd. Please drop off any food and baby supplies at our office, 1204 Logan Ave. Belvidere, IL.

   
   
   


   
   
COVID-19 Vaccine Information as of 12/04/2023:

COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots are available now and are an important part of protecting Boone County residents against currently circulating virus variants.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered safely during the same appointment. More information can be found on the CDC’s page HERE.

This year, where you get the updated COVID-19 vaccine may be different than prior years because of the end of the federal public health emergency this spring and the commercialization of the vaccine.

We are starting to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine on a walk-in basis on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM, only for those who do not have health insurance, through the Bridge Access Program.
We are starting to offer flu vaccines as a walk-in basis on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM. Please bring your insurance card if you have one. Free flu vaccines are available only for those who do NOT have health insurance.

Later this year, those without insurance may be able to go to a pharmacy to get vaccinated through a federal initiative called the Bridge Access Program.

For those with private health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare, the best option will be to go to a pharmacy or doctor’s office to get your updated COVID-19 vaccine. Go to https://www.vaccines.gov/ (English) or https://www.vacunas.gov/ (Spanish) to find a vaccine near you. Be sure to bring your insurance card, as the provider will need to submit a claim to your insurer.
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Las vacunas de COVID-19 y contra la gripe ya están disponibles y son una parte importante para proteger a los residentes del Condado de Boone contra las variantes del virus que circulan actualmente.

Los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) señalan que tanto la vacuna contra la gripe como la vacuna contra COVID-19 pueden administrarse de forma segura durante la misma cita. Puede encontrar más información en la página del CDC AQUÍ.

Este año, el lugar donde se administra la vacuna de COVID-19 actualizada puede ser diferente al de años anteriores debido al fin de la emergencia de salud pública federal esta primavera y a la comercialización de la vacuna.

Estamos empezando a ofrecer la vacuna actualizada de COVID-19 sin cita previa los miercoles de 1:00pm a 4:00pm, sólo para las personas que no tienen seguro de salud, a través del Bridge Access Program.

Estamos empezando a ofrecer vacunas contra la gripe sin cita previa los miercoles de 1:00pm-4:00pm. Por favor traiga su tarjeta de seguro si tiene una. Las vacunas contra la gripe gratuitas están disponibles sólo para personas que NO tienen seguro de salud.

Más adelante este año, las personas que no tienen seguro podrán ir a una farmacia para vacunarse a través de una iniciativa federal llamada Bridge Access Program.

Para aquellos con seguro médico privado o Medicaid/Medicare, la mejor opción será ir a una farmacia o al consultorio del médico para obtener su vacuna COVID-19 actualizada. Visite https://www.vaccines.gov/ (inglés) o https://www.vacunas.gov/ (español) para encontrar una vacuna cerca de usted. Asegúrese de llevar su tarjeta del seguro, ya que el proveedor tendrá que presentar una reclamación a su aseguradora.”

Based on some feedback we received, we have updated our COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Location Flyer. Please share this flyer!
 


Basándonos en algunos comentarios que recibimos, hemos hecho cambios a nuestro folleto de ubicación de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 y la gripe. ¡Por favor, compartan esta publicación!

   
        
 

                   
 
 

      

     






Free over-the counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests or kits are available at the Health Department for the community. Stop by for yours today! Available while supplies last.




Las pruebas rápidas de antígeno de COVID-19 están disponibles en el Departamento de Salud para la comunidad y son gratuitas. ¡Pase por las suyas hoy! Disponible hasta agotar existencias.




Are you familiar with our Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program? WIC helps parents to feed their children well during critical periods of growth and development. Getting started is simple! Complete the survey on the flyer below to begin the intake process or go to:  https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=RK93KRFJTDXXK3YE.




Esta familiarizado con nuestro programa para mujeres, bebes y ninos (WIC)? WIC ayuda a los padres a alimentar bien a sus hijos durante los periodos criticos de crecimiento y desarrollo. Comenzar es simple! Complete la encuesta en el volante a continuacion para comenzar el proceso de admision o vaya a: https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=4PCELNAA7FE8X8CD.

West Nile Virus

What is it? West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.  It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.

Reporting of dead birds:  West Nile virus has been detected in variety of bird species. Some infected birds, especially crows and jays, are known to get sick and die from the infection. Reporting and testing of dead birds is one way to check for the presence of West Nile virus in the environment. The Boone County Health Department’s WNV surveillance program relies on citizens to report dead bird sightings to local authorities. If you find a dead bird that meets the following conditions, please call our office to report it at 815-544-2951, Ext. 2:

• The bird is dead, but the carcass is in good condition. Birds should be dead no more than about 48 hours prior to collection, and should not show signs of advanced decomposition (maggots, strong odor, dried or deflated eyes).
• The bird shows no sign it died of causes other than disease.  Birds with obvious injuries such as wounds or missing parts should not be submitted for testing. Likewise, crushed carcasses and birds found along roadways are not acceptable.
• The bird must be a one that is acceptable for testing.  Some acceptable species are crows, blue jays, grackles, starlings, robins, cardinals, sparrows, finches, hawks and owls. Birds that will not be accepted include pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens, other large birds and endangered species.

 
The Boone County Health Department will determine if the bird is acceptable for testing and will pick up acceptable birds, or ask the property owner to drop it off, if possible. Note that local health departments are authorized to collect a limited number of birds each season (May 1 to October 15). The decision to accept a bird for testing also is based on the bird’s locality. For example, when one or two birds from the same place have tested positive for West Nile virus, there is often no need to test additional birds from that city or locale.
 
Any dead bird that is not collected for testing should be properly disposed of. Use gloves of rubber or latex (i.e., not cloth) or a plastic bag over your hands – or use a shovel, tongs or other instrument to pick up the bird and place it in a plastic bag. Make sure the beak or claws don’t puncture the bag. Seal the bag and then seal it inside a second plastic bag. Put the double-bagged bird with trash that will be picked up, or bury it away from water sources. Wash your hands with soap immediately after disposing of the bird.

Ways to protect yourself from West Nile Virus: The best way to prevent ­­­West Nile is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

West Nile Virus - Fight the Bite Friday
Recent rainfall may result in increased hatching of mosquito eggs. Once a week, remember to empty, turn over, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. #FightTheBiteIllinois #FightTheBiteFriday

Tick Information

Tick Bite Prevention

• Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood. Soft ticks that spread tickborne relapsing fever (TBRF) most often live in caves and rodent-infested rustic cabins.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
• Treat dogs and cats for ticks as recommended by a veterinarian.
• Check for ticks daily, especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp.
• Shower soon after being outdoors.

For more tips, see: www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/.

Tick Removal

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. The key is to remove the tick as soon as possible. Avoid using nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to make the tick detach from the skin.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin.  If you are unable to remove the mouth parts easily, leave them alone and let the skin heal.
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

Tick Identification

Illinois Tick Surveillance Map




Bed Bug Information

Transportation Information for Boone County Residents: 

Did you know that the Boone County Council on Aging, also known as the Keen Age Center (2141 Henry Luckow Ln., Belvidere, IL 61008) offers rides to Boone County residents. Please see details below:

Monday through Friday / 8:00am to 4:30pm
Adults under 60 - $2.00 each ride
Adults over 60 – by donation
Children Under 12 - $1.00 each ride
Children 3 and under must have a car seat
Children under 12 must be escorted by an adult

The Keen Age Center also has a medical escort car to assist with medical rides to adjoining counties; the medical escort car is $1.00 per mile. This service requires a minimum of one week’s notice, dependent upon availability.

The Keen Age Center can also pick someone up at their home and connect them with the Rockford bus.  The Rockford bus picks up at the Keen Age Center at 9:10, 12:10, 2:10 and 5:10. Boone County residents can call 815-975-9059 to schedule appointments.


Resources: 
Boone County Health Department Resource Guide (Revised February 2022) - This is a resource guide created by the Boone County Health Department that includes emergency hotlines (national, state and local) and resources for COVID-19, mental health and substance use, employment, and community services such as food pantries, housing, childcare, legal assistance, senior services and veteran's services.









Food Recalls and Outbreaks

Food Pantry Information
List of food pantries within 25 miles of Boone County

Avian Flu
To report dead birds as it relates to Avian Flu, please see the information below or visit the IL Department of Agriculture's website at:  https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Animals/AnimalHealth/Pages/Highly-Pathogenic-Avian-Influenza.aspx



          
Goodwill Grads GED Program

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is offering GoodGrads GED program to Boone County residents! Classes start in September and space is limited, so register today! To register call (815) 965-3795 or visit: www.goodwillni.org/educational-programs.

Well & Septic
The general goal of the Private Water Program is to protect the public health by assuring private water wells and pumps are installed to provide safe drinking water through the administration and enforcement of the Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor’s Licensing Act, Water Well Construction Code Law, and the Water Well Pump Installation Code Law. 
Learn More



Food Permits & Sanitation
In Boone County, a food permit is required when any business establishment or organization, public or private, provides food prepared or sold at retail, for human consumption whether on or off the premises. 
Learn More

Lead Poisoning in children is serious....and preventable.
The Boone County Health Department has a grant program in place for Boone County residents that help identify and correct lead paint hazards in homes.  Please see our link to the left entitled "Environmental & Regulatory Services" for facts on lead, to see if you qualify, and to find out how to apply.

Programs & Services
Please see our brochure for a brief description of our Programs & Services.

Our Mission
The mission of the Boone County Health Department is to serve our community by preventing the spread of disease, promoting equitable wellness & protecting the public's health.

Our Vision
The vision of the Boone County Health Department will guide & inspire the community to enjoy a high quality of life by:

• Redefining the role of public health delivery and advocacy
• Advancing a culture of diversity, health equity, inclusion, and justice 
• Building strong community engagement & collaboration

Values Statement
We build a culture of excellence through integrity, respect, collaboration, innovation, and responsiveness.  The five pillars are as follows:

• Integrity - We strive to build the public's trust by maintaining the highest standards of accountability, consistency, equity, and transparency.
• Respect - We approach all people with compassion and dignity, recognizing the importance of diversity, so that we may enrich the well-being of everyone.
• Collaboration - We actively engage in partnerships to improve health and support a strong public health system.
• Innovation - We creatively apply information and research to be a revolutionary leader in public health.
• Responsiveness - We ensure our work is efficient, timely and responsive to the public's needs, values and priorities.

History 
In 1966, the Boone County Health Council, which was introduced in 1937, was dissolved and the Boone County Health Department (BCHD) was established by resolution. In 1985, Boone county voters passed a referendum allowing the county to levy a tax in support of public health. The department has since met the criteria necessary to be designated as a certified public health department by the Illinois Department of Public Health.


Boone County Board of Health
A volunteer, 11-member Board of Health is appointed by the county board chairman and approved by the county board. Illinois state statute requires the board include: two physicians, a dentist, a county board representative, and interested community members. These volunteers serve 3-year terms and represent the community at large. The Board of Health governs health department operational issues such as the annual budget and the development of policy and procedures.  For Board of Health meeting dates, minutes, and agendas, 

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