McDonough County Health Department

06/19/2026

Everyone is at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and getting sick from the germs they can spread. Did you know many mosquito-borne diseases found in the United States?

Certain groups of people are at a higher risk for disease than others. Understanding your risk of vector-borne diseases can help you know when and where to expect mosquitoes. People at higher risk can include:

People who spend time in mosquito or tick habitat or live in certain areas that put them in contact with ticks and mosquitoes.

Certain groups of people are more likely to develop severe disease, such as
Older adults
People who have weakened immune systems

06/18/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Juneteenth.

06/17/2026

Are you prepared?

06/17/2026

An update from National Weather Service on the shifting risk of severe weather for this afternoon and evening.

Here are our expectations for storms this afternoon. Main uncertainty is how far north a severe threat returns, including a tornado threat. Remember, when thunder roars head indoors, and keep awareness of issued warnings and heed them!

06/17/2026

Stay weather aware all day long today and know where your safest shelter is when/if a warning is issued for your location today. An outbreak of severe weather is expected later today.

There is a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) of severe storms roughly I-72/Danville northward, with an Enhanced (level 3) to Slight (level 2) encompassing the rest of the region. Strong tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding are all possible.

Severe storms can be stressful. If you find yourself suffering from storm anxiety, there are tips and resources available at the following webpage: https://www.weather.gov/ilx/storm_anxiety

06/16/2026

Free summer meals program announcement.

Tomorrow, Wed June 17, from 4 - 5 pm, parents/guardians and kids may pick up 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches at Colchester City Hall, 500 E Roberts St, Colchester, Illinois. All kids who aren't receiving free breakfast and lunch at other locations (Macomb schools, day care, Southeastern schools, etc) are welcome. We hope to see you there!

06/16/2026

Weather aware.

It's a phrase that gets used a lot when sharing forecasts for severe weather, what exactly does it mean? Given that severe weather is in the forecast tomorrow, here's what we mean when we urge you to be weather aware.

✅ Keep tabs on the forecast for your area. Weather can be very hard to precisely predict and it changes quickly, so whether you have a local radio or tv station, an app on your phone, a trusted website or a local meteorologist that you follow, keep tabs on the changing forecast.

✅ Have more than one reliable way to receive alerts and warnings that are issued by the National Weather Service. Weather radios, local county alert service subscription, Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your cell phone, weather apps with emergency alerts enabled, outdoor sirens if you will be outside during the window of potential severe weather. It is especially important that your method of receiving warnings alerts be able to wake you during overnight hours if the potential for severe weather exists.

✅ Know where to find your location on a map. When news organizations put up a map of a warned area, do you know where you are located so that you know if you are under a watch or warning.

✅ Pre-plan your response to severe weather. Know where to take shelter and have your shelter prepped. If you won't be at home, know where sheltering options are for your location. Have your emergency kit stocked and accessible.

Knowing what to do, having a plan and staying weather aware can be an important factor in weathering severe weather.
For more tips on emergency and weather preparedness visit ready.gov.

06/15/2026

The US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois is seeking information regarding damage related to last week's severe weather.

After a couple days of severe weather, we are looking for any reports of severe weather rather it be measured wind gusts, damage to tree, buildings, and/or powerlines, and even areas of flooded roadways, especially close to the tri-state point of Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. With any reports, please include location and time. Thank you!

06/15/2026

A Food Safety Alert regarding a specific brand of infant formula.

New infant botulism outbreak linked to infant formula.
If your infant was fed Nara Organics infant formula and has any of these symptoms, seek health care immediately: poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, decreased facial expression. More info: https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-june-2026/index.html