Cumberland County Health Department, Illinois

06/15/2026

New infant botulism outbreak linked to imported organic powdered formula

The formula was sold at Target stores and online

06/04/2026

Fight the Bite Friday



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.

06/03/2026

From kickoff to cookout, summer is in full swing. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or hosting acbackyard watch party, don’t let mosquitoes or ticks take you out of the game. Their bites can make you sick, and prevention is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

Stay in the game with these tips:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellent (e.g., DEET, picaridin).

• Wear long, loose-fitting shirts and pants when possible, especially at dawn and dusk.

• Check for ticks after outdoor activities and shower soon after coming indoors.

• Remove standing water in and around homes to reduce mosquitoes.

A little prevention goes a long way, helping you stay healthy and enjoying every minute.

06/02/2026

Update: The system is back up and running.

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.

06/01/2026

FIGHT THE BITE!!!
Getting ready for summer?
Use a checklist to make sure that you
have the tools on hand to prevent tick and
mosquito bites.
Ticks and mosquitoes
are common at outdoor events and camps
in Illinois.
West Nile Virus
is the most common disease you can get
from mosquitoes in Illinois.
Lyme disease
is the most common disease you can get
from ticks in Illinois (and the United States).
Less common diseases that you can get
from ticks in Illinois include:
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Spotted fever group rickettsioses

BEFORE CAMP
 Pack insect repellent.
Select a repellent that is U.S. EPA-registered for ticks and mosquitoes. Look for ingredients like
DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
 Spray clothes, shoes, and gear with permethrin.
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact. You can use permethrin to
pre-treat shoes, clothes, sleeping bags, tents, and other gear.
 Pack a tick removal tool.
Pack a tick remover, such as tweezers, for removing ticks in case you find a tick attached to your
body.

AT CAMP
 Use insect repellent every day.
Spray your exposed skin and over your clothes every morning and reapply throughout the day.
 Check for ticks regularly.
Check for ticks throughout the day. Good times to encourage campers to conduct a thorough tick
check are at meals, before swimming, during shower time, and at the end of the day.
 Remove any ticks you find promptly.
Encourage campers to ask an adult for help.

AFTER CAMP
 Place all clothes and washable gear in the dryer.
Dry clothes for 10 minutes on high heat to remove any ticks that may be on them.
 Shower after returning from camp.
Soap and water can remove any ticks that are crawling.
 Watch for tick and mosquito disease signs.
If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms (especially during the summer) like fever, joint or body
aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash, see a health care provider.
Getting ready for summer?
Use a checklist to make sure that you have the tools on hand to prevent tick and mosquito bites.
Ticks and mosquitoes
are common at outdoor events and camps in Illinois.
West Nile Virus
is the most common disease you can get from mosquitoes in Illinois.
Lyme disease
is the most common disease you can get from ticks in Illinois (and the United States).
Less common diseases that you can get from ticks in Illinois include:
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Spotted fever group rickettsioses

06/01/2026

More moringa products recalled because of Salmonella

Total Nutrition Inc. of Deer Park, NY, is recalling TNVitamins Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood and Doctor’s Pride Complete Green Superfood Ultra Potent Moringa Capsules because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed nationally through...

06/01/2026

Infant formula recalled because of cereulide contamination

The a2 Milk Company (“a2MC”) has recalled three specific batches of its imported a2 Platinum Premium USA label infant formula 0-12 months because of the presence of cereulide. The product is sold only in the United States. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by some strains of the bacteriu...

05/27/2026

Let the Cumberland County Health Department take care of your lab draws!
Call our office at 217-849-3211 to make an appointment!

05/26/2026

Angel Specialty drinks recalled because of Salmonella risk

SKS Copack of Cerritos, CA is recalling various specialty beverages, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were distributed in the states of CA, UT, ID, NY, NJ, AZ, PA, NC, TX, OH, LA, GA, FL, IL, OK, MA, WA, OR, WI, NV, VA,

05/26/2026

Pancake mix recalled because of undeclared egg.

Hometown Food Company, in cooperation with Element Food Solutions, is recalling recall of a single lot code of its Birch Benders 12-ounce Sweet Potato Pancake Mix because it may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatenin...