Health Alerts
Recall of ground turkey products due to a Salmonella ser. Heidelberg Outbreak (POSTED: August 4, 2011)
Cargill Value Added Meats Retail has issued a voluntary recall on certain ground turkey items with establishment code P-963 (See specific notice at: http://www.cargill.com/turkey-recall/).
Illinois residents with diarrhea and fever who report consuming ground turkey included in the recall notice prior to their illness, should contact their health care provider for possible Salmonella testing. Because a recall has been issued for the ground turkey products, any product in their home under the recall notice should not be consumed and be discarded or returned for a refund.
Cases have been identified in Illinois from Cass, Cook (Oak Park), DuPage, Madison, Peoria, Will and Williamson counties. Several of the Illinois cases reported eating ground turkey prior to onset of illness. The onset dates ranged from March 21 through June 29, 2011.
More information on this outbreak can be obtained from CDC’s website (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/heidelberg/index.html) and USDA’s website (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/NR_072911_01/index.asp ).
Cooling Centers During High Heat (POSTED: July 18, 2011)
Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Greg Chance says, "With extremely high temperatures expected this week, it is important to check in with family, friends, and neighbors who may be affected by this extremely high heat. Cooling centers are open in our area to offer people relief from the heat. Individuals who have no access to a cool environment should use cooling centers during a heat wave."
Cooling centers this week in the Peoria area include the following:
Salvation Army, 417 NE Jefferson, 8:30-4:30
Local DHS office, 2301 NE Adams, 8:30-5, M-F
Friendship House, 800 NE Madison, 8:30-5, M-F; Sunday 11-2
Peoria Fire Stations open 24/7 located at:
505 N.E. Monroe
1204 W. Armstrong
2711 S.W. Jefferson
832 W. Hurlburt
3316 N. Wisconsin
1025 W. Florence
3005 N.E. Adams
2114 W. Richwoods
717 W. Detweiller
2105 W. Northmoor
5719 N. Frostwood
2020 W. Wilhelm
Cooling Centers Outside of Peoria County:
Creve Coeur VFW Post 4835, 628 S. Main Street, Creve Coeur – 9:00 - 10:00pm
Department of Employment Security Building, 200 South Second Street, Pekin
Eastside Center, 1 EastSide Drive, East Peoria - 5:30 am until 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 5:30 am until 9 pm. Friday, 6 am until 6 pm Saturday, and 7 am until 5 pm Sunday
Hopedale Medical Complex Wellness Center, 222 NW Grove St., Hopedale – 5:00am - 9:00pm
Salvation Army, 243 Derby Street, Pekin – 8:30-5:00pm (M-F)
To prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke during hot weather, take the following measures:
- Try to keep cool during extremely high temperature.
- Stay in a cool environment (preferably air conditioned).
- Limit outdoor activities.
- Drink plenty of cool fluids (like water) regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
- Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar – they cause you to lose more body fluids.
- Avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather.
- Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself.
- Wear hats and light-colored, lightweight, loose clothes.
- Take care of your pets. Give extra water and be sure to place the water dish in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a protected place where they can get away from the sun.
Chance adds a special caution for children, "Use common sense. Heat related injuries may develop with or without feelings of discomfort. Young children, particularly infants, are extremely sensitive to heat and can easily become dehydrated (lose more body fluids than usual) from high air temperatures."
Read more
Tornadoes (POSTED: May 24, 2011)
- There were 48 tornadoes reported in Illinois during 2010, which resulted in one fatality, 40 injuries and caused more than $110 million in damage.
- Most Illinois tornadoes occur between April 1 and June 30 between the hours of 3 pm and 10 pm, but they have occurred in every month of the year at all hours of the day.
- Nearly 30% of all tornadoes in Illinois occur after dark. It is CRITICAL that homes and businesses have someone monitor severe weather conditions — especially at night. A weather radio is an excellent way to do this.
Flood Information (POSTED: April 28, 2011)
There are a number of severe weather hazards that affect Illinois, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods and flash floods, damaging winds and large hail. Severe weather hazards can cause extensive property damage, injury or death. Below you will find some helpful tips on how to deal with Flood waters, including re-entering your flooded home.
Read More
Whooping Cough Outbreaks (POSTED: December 8, 2010)
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What You Need To Know
Pertussis (whooping cough) is very contagious and can cause serious illness - especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. Make sure your infants and young children get their recommended five shots on time. Adolescent and adult vaccination is also important, especially for families with new infants.
Read More
Bed Bugs on the Rise (POSTED: October 29, 2010)
Bed bugs are on the rise in Illinois after a dramatic decline in the 1940s and 1950s. A couple reasons for the return are more world-wide travel and the fact that today’s insecticides, although safer for people, are less effective in killing these bugs. Bed bugs are small, flat insects, usually reddish-brown and up to ¼-inch long. Bed bugs most commonly enter hotels or residences by “hitch-hiking” on a suitcase or backpack, used furniture and clothing or other objects moved from one building to another. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause an intense itch and scratching could produce secondary infections. To help reduce this problem, learn the signs of bed bug infestations, how the bugs spread, what you can do to prevent getting them and what to do if you find bed bugs.
Read More
West Nile Virus in Central Illinois (POSTED: September 15, 2010)
West Nile Virus has been confirmed in human cases and mosquitoes and is still a threat in Central Illinois. Only about 2 in 10 people who are bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito will experience any illness which is usually mild and includes fever, headache, and body aches; but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. Until after the first few hard frosts, people should protect themselves against mosquitoes by wearing insect repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, repairing torn screens, and eliminating standing water that can support mosquito breeding.
Other Health Alerts