Ogle County Health Department

06/16/2026

A healthy home does more than keep kids safe — it helps them learn, grow, and thrive.

Lead exposure can affect a child’s development, behavior, and ability to learn, and many families may not realize it can happen through peeling paint or dust in older homes.

The good news: lead poisoning is preventable, and a simple blood test can help detect exposure early.

If your home was built before 1978, talk to your child’s doctor about blood lead testing.
Learn more about childhood lead poisoning prevention: https://dph.illinois.gov/.../lead-poisoning-prevention.html

06/15/2026

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.

06/05/2026

06/02/2026

UPDATE: The state system is now restored and participants may resume normal activities with their WIC card.

❗IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IL WIC PARTICIPANTS❗

Illinois’ WIC processor is currently down statewide. Your WIC card will not work at any store throughout the state. The state of Illinois is actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible. Your WIC agency is not able to help with this issue. Updates will be posted on the IDHS website. Thank you for your patience.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

El procesador de WIC de Illinois se encuentra actualmente fuera de servicio en todo el estado. Su tarjeta WIC no funcionará en ninguna tienda en todo el estado. El estado de Illinois está trabajando activamente para resolver esto lo antes posible. Su agencia de WIC no puede brindarle asistencia con este problema. Las actualizaciones se publicarán en el sitio web del IDHS. Gracias por su paciencia.
Esta institución es un proveedor equitativo de oportunidades.

Link to IDHS Update: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31907

06/01/2026

📢 Friendly Reminder 📢

Our offices have officially merged, and all appointments are now being held at our Oregon location:

📍 907 Pines Rd, Oregon, IL

If you have an upcoming appointment, please plan to visit us at this location. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 815-562-6976.

05/29/2026

Fight the Bite Friday
Ticks love outdoor adventures almost as much as you do. Don't give them a free ride!

05/23/2026

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

As melons grow in the field, their rinds are exposed to bacteria from multiple contamination sources (e.g., animals, water, fertilizer). Bacteria can spread from the rind to the inside of the melon when the melon is cut. Some bacteria can make people sick. To prevent exposure to food-borne illnesses, use these food safety practices when handling melons.

05/22/2026

Repel the pests, enjoy the rest. 🦟☀️
Memorial Day weekend means more time outdoors – and more exposure to mosquitoes and ticks. Holiday fun is better bite-free, so protect your crew and don’t let bug bites ruin the long weekend. Stay safe, stay covered, and enjoy the outdoors!

✅ Use EPA-registered insect repellent
✅ Wear long sleeves & light-colored clothing
✅ Check for ticks after spending time outdoors
✅ Remove standing water around your home
✅ Keep pets protected too

05/20/2026

Next week, the department will not be accepting water sample drop offs due to Memorial Day. Drop off will resume the following week as normal.

If you have questions regarding water sampling, please reach out to 815-562-6976 Ext 2301.