Latest news with #IDPH
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wing Park pool in Elgin closed for maintenance issue; may reopen Saturday
Wing Park Family Aquatic Center in Elgin has been temporarily closed after a maintenance issue was uncovered Tuesday during an annual inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 'The inspection revealed that some of the pool's main drain covers are missing required screws,' a city of Elgin social media post said about the 1030 Wing St. facility. 'To meet IDPH safety regulations, we must fully drain the pool and complete the necessary repairs before reopening. This process will take several days, and we are working diligently with the goal of reopening by July 5.' The situation does not affect Lords Park Family Aquatic Center at 325 Hiawatha Drive, which will be open through the holiday week.
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Public health officials confirm state's first human West Nile case of the year
The first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois has been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state agency announced Tuesday evening that a southern Illinois resident tested positive for the virus after being hospitalized. This is the earliest in the year that a human case of West Nile has been observed in Illinois since 2016, officials said. While this is the first human case of the year, the West Nile virus had been confirmed in 19 counties so far, with the earliest detection in Rockford on May 9. The IDPH routinely tests batches of mosquitoes for West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Last year, the virus was found in 72 of Illinois's 102 counties. 'The fact that we are seeing the first human case of West Nile virus so early in the season serves as a timely reminder — especially for seniors and those with weakened immune systems — to protect yourself from illnesses caused by mosquito bites,' IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. Last year, there were 69 cases of West Nile, 13 of which resulted in deaths. The majority of people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms, but for roughly 1 in 5 individuals, it can lead to severe illnesses. The risk is especially high for those older than 60 or with compromised immune systems. The IDPH recommends that Illinois residents reduce their risk of contracting the disease by avoiding mosquito bites. This can be done through using EPA-registered mosquito repellants, especially those containing DEET, and by making sure that open doors and windows have screens. They also recommend dumping stagnant water that's been standing for a week or more, as mosquitoes require standing water to reproduce. If you encounter standing water that you cannot pour out, it can be reported to 311. West Nile virus is largely spread to humans through mosquito bites; it is rarely contagious between humans. It can also be found in birds and horses. West Nile is often transmitted from the house mosquito, a medium-sized mosquito that is typically brown in color. Most mosquito bites occur early in the evening, but can occur any time of day.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Health
- Axios
Illinois makes HIV drug PrEP more available
As the federal government cuts funding for HIV and AIDS research, Illinois is trying to make HIV prevention meds more available. Why it matters: Better access to the medication could reduce the risk of contraction for those most at risk — men who have sex with men and Black and Hispanic people. Driving the news: The Illinois Department of Public Health issued an order allowing Illinoisans to obtain the medication PrEP, which can reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex by 99% when taken correctly, directly from a pharmacist without first requiring a doctor's prescription. Flashback: Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law in 2022 to allow access to the medication without a prescription, and any pharmacist who wants to offer the medicine must undergo a training program. "With a large-scale change like this, we needed to ensure that the implementation would be safe, effective, and equitable. That meant engaging local health departments, advocacy groups, pharmacist associations, and sister state agencies to shape a responsible rollout," a spokesperson from IDPH told Axios in a statement. "We also worked to identify the best ways to monitor program participation and ensure pharmacists were supported with appropriate training and guidance." The law also specifies that services provided by a pharmacist are covered and reimbursed by insurance at the same rate as when provided by a doctor. What they're saying: "With threats from the federal government to HIV prevention funding (the HHS draft budget proposed eliminating all — yes, all — HIV prevention funding) it's even more critical to increase the access points where people can get PrEP," AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) president John Peller tells Axios in an email. AFC has helped implement the law across the state, including training for pharmacists and setting reimbursement rates through Medicaid. By the numbers: Nearly 23,000 people in Illinois were living with HIV and about 19,000 living with AIDS as of December 2024, the most recent available data from IDPH. There were more than 1,300 new diagnoses of the virus statewide in 2024, down 9% from the previous year. Black men make up the most new cases since 2017 at more than 3,500, followed by Hispanic men at 2,700. The 30-39 age bracket is the most common for both men and women in terms of new cases.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile virus found in Rockford mosquito pool, sparking health concerns
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) reported its first mosquito pool in the state, testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). IDPH says the results came in yesterday, May 12. These reports—coming from the city of Rockford in Winnebago County—are also the first time the virus was reported this year. 'The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,' said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Vohra said it's important for individuals to prevent the chances of sustaining mosquito bites, especially those who have a weaker immune system. WNV is transmitted from a Culex mosquito bite, also known as house mosquitoes. Most WNV symptoms include fever, upset stomach, headache and muscle aches. However, there are chances someone may not show any symptoms. One practice Vohra suggested to combat the virus surrounds the three R's: reduce, repel and report. In 2024, the state of Illinois saw 69 human cases in relation to WNV, and about 13 people died from the virus. More information about WNV can be found on the health department's website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IDPH reports first West Nile positive mosquito pool in 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois Department of Public Health announced its first mosquito pool to test positive for the West Nile virus in the state on Tuesday. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, and symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches, which can last from a few days to a few weeks. Most infected with the West Nile virus will not show any symptoms, but severe cases can lead to death. The sample was taken from Rockford on Friday and tested positive on Monday, according to an IDPH news release. 'The news of the first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,' said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. Bird tests positive for West Nile virus in Tazewell County In 2024, IDPH reported 69 human cases of the West Nile Virus in Illinois, which led to 13 deaths. Last year, there were 3,108 positive mosquito batches and 54 positive birds. The state health department encourages everyone to practice the three 'R's' to prevent the spread of the virus: REDUCE- make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers. REPEL- when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants. REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae. More information on the West Nile Virus is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
