Jefferson County Health Department Mount Vernon Illinois

09/03/2026

IDPH is responding to an outbreak of measles in Douglas County, Illinois. At least four confirmed and linked cases have been identified.

09/03/2026

JCHD will be closed Monday, September 7, for the Labor Day holiday. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend!

09/02/2026

The United States has recorded 2,903 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of late August, marking the highest annual total in over three decades. Check out the latest edition of Kaushal's Korner for more information on the disease.

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

If you see a bat, give it space!🦇

Bats can sometimes carry rabies, a disease that can make people and animals very sick.

🚫STAY AWAY from bats. Never pick up or touch a bat — even if it looks hurt or isn't moving.

If you find a bat in your house, don't touch it with your bare hands.
➡️Always avoid direct contact and wear leather gloves if you have to handle the bat.
➡️To capture the bat, contain it to a room or trap it in a box/blanket.
➡️For help removing it, contact local animal control.

Once the bat is captured, call your local health department. They'll evaluate the exposure and determine next steps for testing.

Where can you get more information?
➡️Immediate help removing a bat: Local animal control
➡️Help determining if exposure occurred or information on rabies prophylaxis: Local health department
➡️Information on bat exclusion: IDPH Division of Environmental Health at 217-782-5830

🔗Learn more about bats and bat exclusion: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/bats-exclusion.html

08/06/2026

What better way to celebrate NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK than to come pick up your WIC Farmers Market coupons and head to the local Farmers Market?!?! We still have some coupons left so come and get them before they're all gone.

08/06/2026

Come out to our World Breastfeeding Week Celebration tomorrow at the park!

08/05/2026

JCHD has Narcan available at no cost for inidviduals, businesses, and organizations. Stop by our office at 4102 S. Water Tower Place and ask for yours.

08/05/2026

Give us a call to schedule vaccinations at 618-244-7134.

08/04/2026

JCHD has started using text message reminders for some WIC appointments. These text message will replace reminder calls from our staff. The messages come from our office number, 618-244-7134, and if you receive a message and need to reschedule, you can reply by text. This is a new system so if you do have questions or issues, let us know!