Clay County Health Department

08/20/2025

“Coming into the WIC office, I was greeted by friendly faces and was able to apply right away. Being on WIC as a pregnant mother, especially a mother who wasn’t working at the time, was a huge help to me not only financially but nutritionally as well. I was able to get fruits and vegetables, juice, milk, fish, and so much more, all for a healthier me and a healthy baby.
“When baby was born, WIC encouraged me to breastfeed my child and taught me the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits. Because of the help of WIC and their encouragement to breastfeed, my baby grew strong and was rarely sick. I am now a mother of three beautiful girls, and all three of them have had the pleasure of being on WIC.
“I would strongly suggest WIC to any woman who is expecting or has children/child, because WIC’s ultimate goal of healthy-eating children really does make a difference in the long run. THANK YOU to the American Samoa WIC Program for being awesome and making a huge impact on me and my girls' lives!”
🔗 Learn more about WIC or find a clinic near you at www.signupwic.com

“Al entrar a la oficina de WIC, me recibieron caras amigables y pude solicitar la inscripción de inmediato. Participar en el programa WIC como madre embarazada, especialmente una madre que no trabajaba en ese momento, fue una gran ayuda para mí, no solo económicamente sino también nutricionalmente. Pude conseguir frutas y verduras, jugos, leche, pescado y mucho más, todo lo necesario para tener a un bebé más saludable así como yo misma.
“Cuando nació mi bebé, en WIC me animaron a amamantar a mi hijo y me enseñaron la importancia de la lactancia materna y sus beneficios. Gracias a la ayuda del WIC y a su estímulo para amamantar, mi bebé creció fuerte y rara vez se enfermó. Ahora soy madre de tres hermosas niñas, y las tres han tenido el placer de participar en el programa WIC.
“Recomendaría enfáticamente el WIC a cualquier mujer que esté embarazada o que tenga hijos, porque el objetivo final del WIC es que los niños coman sano, y realmente marca una diferencia a largo plazo. “¡GRACIAS al Programa WIC de Samoa Americana por ser increíble y tener un gran impacto en mi vida y en la de mis hijas!”
- Mamá del WIC
🔗 Obtenga más información sobre el WIC o encuentre una clínica cerca de usted en www.signupwic.com/es .

08/19/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2025
West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Sample in Louisville

Clay County Health Department collected a West Nile virus positive mosquito sample on August 19, 2025 from Louisville in Clay County. This is the first West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample collected in Clay County this season.

Confirmation of a WNV positive mosquito sample means that the virus is circulating in the community and there is a heightened risk of infection for humans. Residents are urged to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. It is important to remember the three R’s – reduce your exposure to mosquitoes, repel them by wearing insect repellant, and report areas where mosquitoes typically breed.

WNV is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes pick up the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness is not spread from person-to-person. Most people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms. However, some people may experience fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.

Because WNV generally appears and spreads in Illinois mosquito populations as early as two to six weeks before it is transmitted to humans, monitoring the mosquito populations in our communities helps us predict when humans will be at risk for WNV infection. Surveillance activities in Clay County include laboratory tests on mosquito batches and responding to concerns of mosquito production sites.

If you would like more information on West Nile virus, contact the Clay County Health Department at 662-4406 or visit our website www.healthdept.org

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https://healthdept.org/news/

08/19/2025

We're hiring!
We're looking for a PRN Public Health Dental Hygienist for our mobile oral health clinics in Clay and Effingham County (typically, once a month). Could that be you?
You'll conduct all preventive oral health services within the PHDH scope of practice during scheduled dental health clinics.
You'll need a valid Illinois license to practice dental hygiene, with at least two years of full-time experience, Public Health Dental Hygienist Certification (can be acquired after hire) but must be earned within 3 months of hire in order to begin work.
Apply here: https://healthdept.org/about-clay-c-ounty-health-department/clay-county-careers/open-positions/

08/19/2025

Heat is typically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities each year. Heat waves have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to a hazardous combination of heat and humidity, which can be very taxing on the body. Learn how to stay safe during a heat wave at weather.gov/heat

Practice Heat Safety wherever you are. Job Sites: stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible. Indoors: Check up on the elderly, sick and those without AC. Vehicles: Never leave kids or pets unattended - LOOK before you LOCK. Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade, and stay hydrated. Heat-related deaths are preventable. Protect yourself and others from the impacts of heat waves.

08/18/2025

Everyone is at risk from the dangers of extreme heat, but these groups are more vulnerable than most. Ensure that your loved ones and neighbors are safe from the heat and remain Weather-Ready. weather.gov/safety/heat-during

08/15/2025

Clay County - the heat is back, and we received a heat advisory from the National Weather Service.

A HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 8 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values of 100 to 110 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, southeast, and west
central Illinois.

* WHEN...From noon Saturday to 8 PM CDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Triple digit heat indices are forecast through at least Monday, increasing the risk for heat illness for vulnerable populations. Take precautions to protect yourself from the heat.

08/15/2025

It's Fight the Bite Friday!

With recent headlines reminding us that Lyme disease can impact anyone - it's a good time to brush up on tick safety. 💚

Ticks can carry Lyme and other illnesses, but a few simple precautions can help keep you protected on summer hikes and outdoor adventures.

💬 Check out the tips in this post to help say bye bye bye to ticks this season.
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/tickborne-illnesses.html

08/14/2025

Are you a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant looking for a PRN position? Contact us!
Salary Range: $35-$37 per hour.
More information here:
https://healthdept.org/about-clay-c-ounty-health-department/clay-county-careers/open-positions/

08/14/2025

WIC’s Breastfeeding Benefits
Breastfeeding is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone! WIC is here to support you every step of the way with:
✔ Expert breastfeeding guidance
✔ Help from peer counselors who’ve been there
✔ Breast pumps & supplies
✔ Nutrition tips and healthy foods
✔ And so much more!
Whether you’re just starting out or need extra support, WIC has your back. 💙 Find out more or contact a clinic near you at www.signupwic.com


¡La lactancia materna es un viaje y no tienes que hacerlo sola! El WIC está aquí para apoyarla en cada paso del camino con:
✔ Orientación de expertas en la lactancia materna
✔ Ayuda de consejeras que han pasado por lo mismo
✔ Extractores de leche y suministros
✔ Consejos de nutrición y alimentos saludables
✔ ¡Y mucho más!
Ya sea que recién esté comenzando o necesite apoyo adicional, el WIC la respalda. 💙 Obtenga más información o póngase en contacto con a una clínica cerca de usted en www.signupwic.com/es

08/12/2025

Final Back to School Clinic tomorrow, Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Get those shots organized before school is back in session this week.

08/12/2025

NEVER leave children in a car, no matter the time of year. Vehicular heatstroke has occurred when outside temperatures were below 70°F. Sunlight can cause the inside of a car to heat up VERY quickly. Stay
weather.gov/safety/heat-children-pets