Jefferson County Health Department Mount Vernon Illinois

05/27/2026

Don't forget a week from today the Jefferson County Health Department is hosting a FREE Miles of Smiles Dental Day Carnival for families in our community!
Join us for a fun day featuring:
Carnival-style games
Dental screenings
Toothbrushing demonstrations
Crafts and activities for kids
Free dental care bags
Children will learn how to keep their smiles healthy while enjoying fun activities and prizes!
Bring the whole family and come have fun while learning about healthy smiles!

05/24/2026

Did you know it is an Illinois requirement to have your animals up to date on their rabies vaccine? Take advantage of our convenient and low cost rabies clinic! Microchips, other vaccines and flea/tick control will also be available at each location.

05/22/2026

Most people know ticks can spread diseases like Lyme disease. But fewer people know that some tick bites can trigger a red meat allergy.

This condition is called Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). It occurs when the body develops an allergic reaction to a molecule called alpha-gal after a tick bite.

People with AGS may have allergic reactions hours after eating foods like beef, pork, lamb, or venison. Symptoms can range from mild itching to severe allergic reactions that require medical care.

AGS has been increasingly recognized in the U.S., and cases have been reported in Illinois.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of Alpha-gal syndrome - and other tick-related illnesses - is to prevent tick bites by using EPA-registered insect repellent, avoiding tall grass and brush, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.

05/21/2026

City Recycling Event - May 30

Mark your calendar: May 30. The City will be hosting a community recycling event on Saturday, May 30 in partnership with J&C E-Recycling.

This event provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of items that are not accepted through regular trash or recycling services.

📍 Location: 1201 Casey\
🕘 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

A flyer with a full list of accepted and non-accepted items is included with this post.

For questions about specific materials, please contact J&C E-Recycling using the information provided on the flyer.

We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of items responsibly and help keep our community clean.unities for recycling helps keep our community clean and supports responsible disposal practices.

See full article: https://app.govoutreach.com/mountvernoncityil/public/communications/63538

05/12/2026

5/20/26 UPDATE: Confirmatory testing by CDC did not detect hantavirus in the previously reported suspected Winnebago County case. The resident is no longer considered a potential hantavirus case and no further public health action is needed.
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You may have seen hantavirus in the news lately following an outbreak linked to a cruise ship. Here’s what Illinois residents should know. ⬇️

At this time, Illinois has not been notified of any residents connected to the cruise ship outbreak, and the current risk to Illinois communities remains very low.

You may also see news about a separate hantavirus case in Illinois. That case is NOT RELATED to the cruise ship outbreak and does not involve the Andes virus strain linked to rare person-to-person spread. Take a deep breath and keep reading. We'll explain.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses mainly spread through contact with infected rodents, including their urine, droppings, or saliva. Symptoms can start with fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, nausea, or stomach pain and may later include coughing and trouble breathing.

The Andes virus is the only hantavirus known to spread person to person, and that type of spread is rare and usually involves close contact. The rodents that carry Andes virus are not found in the United States.

While hantavirus infections are rare, they are not new or uncommon in the U.S., including Illinois. Public health teams regularly monitor and prepare for rodent-borne illnesses.

You can reduce your risk by:
➡️ Sealing holes and gaps where rodents can enter
➡️ Storing food securely
➡️ Using traps if needed
➡️ Cleaning rodent droppings carefully with disinfectant and gloves instead of sweeping

If you develop symptoms after possible rodent exposure, contact a health care provider and mention the exposure.

IDPH continues coordinating with health care providers, local health departments, and emergency management partners to monitor the situation and remain prepared to respond quickly if needed.

📰Read our full statement: https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/news/2026/may/idph-update-on-hantavirus.html

05/07/2026

Happy Nurses Week! We appreciate all you do to keep Jefferson County healthy!

05/07/2026

Mark you calendars for our Dental Day, Wednesday, June 3!

05/06/2026

05/05/2026

04/30/2026

Missed the Recycling Event?

Another opportunity is coming May 30th. If you weren’t able to attend the recent recycling event, there’s another opportunity coming up.

The City will be hosting a community recycling event on May 30 in partnership with J&C E-Recycling.

A flyer with accepted and non-accepted items is included with this post. For specific questions about materials, please contact J&C directly using the information provided on the flyer.

More event details will be shared as the date approaches.

Providing multiple opportunities for recycling helps keep our community clean and supports responsible disposal practices.

See full article: https://app.govoutreach.com/mountvernoncityil/public/communications/63522