Hancock County Health Department

06/18/2026

🌭🍔Whether you're grilling in the backyard, casting a line at the lake, or spending the day outdoors with family, don't let mosquitoes and ticks put a damper on your Father's Day fun.

✔️ Apply EPA-registered insect repellent
✔️ Wear light-colored clothing when spending time in grassy or wooded areas
✔️ Check yourself, kids, and pets for ticks after outdoor activities
✔️ Dump standing water around your yard where mosquitoes breed

The best Father's Day memories are made outdoors—just remember to Fight the Bite while you're making them! 🦟

06/16/2026

🌽🍅 Fresh produce, friendly faces, and just a little wind!

Come see us at the LaHarpe Farmers Market today 4-6:30. Stop by to learn about the programs and services available to you and your family, pick up educational materials, and grab some free goodies while you’re here!

06/15/2026

📢 NOW HIRING 📢
The Hancock County Dental Center is hiring for a Chairside Dental Assistant to serve children and families in our community.
If you're passionate about patient care, teamwork, and making a difference, this could be the perfect fit!
🦷 Supportive team
🦷 Meaningful community impact
🦷 Great work environment
Apply today!

06/11/2026

Ticks are part of summer in Illinois, but they don't have to keep you from enjoying the outdoors.

Whether you're gardening, walking the dog, hiking a trail, or cheering from the sidelines at a summer sports game, taking a minute to check for ticks can help protect you and your family.

Save this checklist for your next outdoor adventure, and remember:
✓ Check yourself, children, and pets after spending time outside
✓ Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
✓ Watch for symptoms like fever, rash, fatigue, or headache after a tick bite

Want to learn more?

Our latest blog post covers common tick myths, where you're most likely to encounter ticks, how to do a quick tick check, and what to do if you find one.
📝 Read more: https://open.substack.com/pub/idph/p/tick-season-is-here-dont-panic-just?r=546owr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

06/08/2026

Meet the Tick: Lone Star Tick Edition ⭐
🏷️ Name: Lone Star Tick
🔬 Scientific Name: Amblyomma americanum

🔍 How to Spot It
Adult females have a distinctive white dot on their backs
Adult males have scattered white markings around the edges of their backs
Aggressive biters that actively seek hosts

📍 Found in Illinois?
✅ Yes! Lone Star ticks are present in Illinois and have become increasingly common in many parts of the state.

⚠️ Why They Matter
Lone Star ticks have been associated with:
Ehrlichiosis
Tularemia
Alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy linked to tick bites)

🛡️ Fight the Bite
Reduce your chances of a tick bite by:
✔ Using EPA-registered insect repellent
✔ Wearing long sleeves and long pants in tick habitat
✔ Performing a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors
✔ Checking children and pets for ticks
✔ Showering soon after coming indoors

💡 Did You Know?
Unlike some tick species that wait for hosts to pass by, Lone Star ticks can actively move toward people and animals after detecting body heat, movement, and carbon dioxide.

06/04/2026

One coffee at a time, we're spreading awareness! ☕🩷

Over the last couple of weeks, we have delivered IBCCP coffee sleeves to more than 25 coffee shops across the five counties that we serve: Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Scott.

These sleeves are helping start important conversations about breast and cervical screenings and reminding women that early detection saves lives. A huge thank you to all of our local coffee shops for partnering with us to help spread the word!

If you see an IBCCP sleeve on your next cup of coffee, take a moment to learn more about the program and share the message with someone you care about. 🩷

06/03/2026

05/24/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the Hancock County Health Department will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

As we enjoy time with family and friends, we also remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. ❤️

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday.

05/21/2026

Stop by and see us at the C.A.R.E Fair on the square in Carthage today, 3-7!

Connection. Awareness. Resources. Empowerment.

We have lots of goodies, information about our programs and services, and a fun giveaway basket you can enter to win!

Come learn about all the resources available right here in Hancock County and make sure to stop by our table to learn more about how the Hancock County Health Department can serve you!