Peoria County EH

Lyme Disease is a bacterial disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. The Black-legged or Deer Tick is a known carrier of Lyme Disease in the northeast and north central United States. Not all ticks carry disease, and a bite of a tick does not always result in the development of Lyme Disease. Ticks generally need to be attached for 36 to 48 hours before they can transmit Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease usually appears 3 to 30 days after exposure to an infected tick. The symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Chills and fever
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Skin rash (often with a "bull's eye" appearance

Tick season is here and so are tickborne diseases, such as Lyme Disease. Although Lyme Disease is the most well-known, tick bites can also cause Stari, Tick Paralysis, and more depending on species. To prevent contracting any tickborne disease, the CDC recommends showering and checking your body shortly after being outdoors. Some common locations where ticks can be found are under the arms, around the ears, in the belly button, behind the knees, in the hair, and others. If you experience rash, fever/chills, aches/pain, or other common symptoms, consult a medical professional. Visit the CDC's website for more information on how to keep you and your family safe: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html.

Now that the Summer season is upon us, we are accepting calls to collect birds for West Nile Virus testing. If you come across a deceased bird, it may be a valid testing candidate. Before you call us, ask yourself a few questions:

*Does it look freshly deceased? We cannot take any specimens that have begun decomposition or attracted any scavengers. If you see the eyes sunken in or any flies or ants on the body, dispose of the body using gloves or a shovel.
*What species is the bird? We prefer to take crows and bluejays, as we can test them right at the health department. Robins, sparrows, and cardinals can be sent to the state West Nile lab, but we are limited to a certain number we can send in per year. Due to this, we are sparing as to what we collect.

Do you know what to do if you find a tick attached to yourself or your pet? CDC's Tick Bite Bot is an interactive tool that assists individuals in removing attached ticks and determining when to seek health care, if appropriate, after a tick bite. Follow these do's and don'ts and try out the Tick Bite Bot: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/communication-resources/tick-bite-bot-1.html.

The Peoria City/County Health Department is closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024. We will resume normal business hours on Friday, July 5, 2024. Follow these food safety tips for a safe and delicious Fourth of July: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/07/food-safety-tips-for-a-safe-and-delicious-fourth-of-july/.

Heat, fireworks, mosquitoes! Oh my! Please stay safe this Fourth of July! Remember to wear EPA-registered insect repellent while spending time outdoors this weekend.

¡Protégete Contra las Garrapatas!

Planning a trip to the County or State Fair? Protect yourself and your family from potential exposure to influenza A(H5N1)* by following the tips below!

*avian influenza A(H5N1) first occurred in wild birds and poultry and has recently been detected in dairy cows for the first time. CDC confirmed three human influenza A(H5N1) infections that had exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle. As of 6/20/2024, 12 states have reported outbreaks in cattle affecting 93 dairy herds. This number continues to grow. Please note: there are currently no dairy herds or humans that have tested positive for influenza A (H5N1) in Illinois.

Before you go outdoors, make sure you prevent tick bites and your exposure to ticks. Tick exposure can occur year round, but ticks are most active in the warmer months. See the different ways you can prevent tick exposure before even going outdoors!

Have you noticed lately that more restaurants are adding allergen warnings and statements to their menus? Allergens are a hot topic of conversation in the food safety world! Millions of Americans are affected by food allergens and the number of associated legal battles show that it is not something that will be going away anytime soon. Protect your customers and your business by posting required allergen signage, properly labeling prepackaged items with allergens, and by ensuring all required Certified Food Protection Managers have completed additional allergen training.

Do you know how to cool? Improper cooling is one of the top risk factors that leads to foodborne illness, by allowing time/temperature control for safety foods to stay in the temperature danger zone too long. Pathogens thrive when the product is between 41 degrees F - 135 degrees F for over 4-6 hours. Follow us for more posts that Decode the Food Code!

The seventh principle of a healthy home is to keep it well maintained. Keeping a well maintained home can reduce the risk of moisture and pest control issues. Maintaining paint in good condition can even help with lead poisoning prevention in home built before 1978. Many sample maintenance plans can be found just from looking online.

Did you know that there are germs that thrive in cold environments? Refrigeration helps, but is no match for certain bacteria, like listeria. This is why you may see a violation marked for ready-to-eat, refrigerated, time/temperature control for safety foods that are not properly marked with a consume by or discard by date. Check back next Monday for another post on Decoding the Code!

The third principle of a healthy home is to keep it safe. Some of the easiest ways to keep your home safe are by installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Another good start is by keeping chemicals and cleaning supplies out of children's reach, but not storing above food.

Have you ever read a food inspection report and thought, "why is THAT an issue?" If you answered yes, then this post is for you! Join us as we Decode the Food Code to explain the reasoning behind commonly marked food safety violations. When food workers use designated handwashing sinks for reasons other than handwashing, it becomes a habit and can spread like the pathogens that hitchhike onto our fingers and palms. The next thing you know, a handwashing sink is now the unofficial personal beverage dump sink, utensil rinsing sink, and storage for soiled dishes that are intended to be transported to the warewashing area.

The second principle for keeping a healthy home is to keep it clean! The most effective way to control for dust is to use a wet cleaning method, be sure to keep surfaces smooth and clutter free for easy cleaning.

The first principle to a heathy home is to keep it dry. This includes preventing water build-up through both rain and interior leaks. Water and moisture in the home can lead to many issues including mold build-up and damage to materials, equipment, and products.

April is National Healthy Homes Month, There are eight principles to a healthy home as defined by the National Center For Healthy Housing (NCHH). Follow along this month as we explore each principle and visit NCHH's website for more information:
https://nchh.org/

April 17 is National Cheeseball Day! Did you know that heat-treated plant foods, like cooked rice, legumes, and vegetables, have the potential to grow pathogens if left in the temperature danger zone? Once cooked, plant-based foods should be treated with the same food safety practices that are applied to meats and dairy. Keep this cheeseball under refrigeration at 41 degrees F or less until served. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Now, dig in!

Ever wondered why a specific violation is listed in the Illinois Food Code? Join us as we Decode the Code to provide insight into why we do what we do. Is there a violation that you've heard of that didn't make sense to you? Let us know and it might be added to a future post!

Did you know that if you plan to eat the Easter eggs you decorate, then be sure to use only food-grade dye. One suggestion is to make two sets of eggs, one for decorating and hiding that will not be consumed, and another set for eating. Consider using plastic eggs for your Easter egg hunt to avoid potential foodborne illness. Visit our website for more food safety information.

Congratulations to our 2023 Food Safety Excellence Award Winners! Gold and Silver Level award winners were presented with certificates of recognition at the March 11, 2024, Board of Health Meeting. Gold Level winners include Bradley University Bob Michel Student Center, The Chef and the Baker, and Sophia's Angels Kitchen. Silver Level winners include Brimfield HIGH School and Dominos Pizza on Centerway. For more information about the Food Safety Excellence Awards Program visit https://www.pcchd.org/357/Awards.

Check out our article on Groundwater Awareness in this month's issue of Healthy Cells! https://www.healthycellsmagazine.com/3d-flip-book/peoria-3-24/