Daviess County Health Department

05/24/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 25.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. 🇺🇸

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26

05/21/2026

📢 Reminder!
Nurses will be in Jamesport TODAY! Get a head start on back to school vaccines 💉🩹

💉✨ Be-Wise, Immunize! ✨💉

Nurses will be in Jamesport this Thursday!
Protect yourself, your family, and our community with a quick poke for lasting protection❤️

📅 Thursday @ 1-3:30PM
📍 Jamesport Community Building @ the City Park

Roll up your sleeve and Be-Wise, Immunize! 😄

05/20/2026

The Missouri SuN Bucks grocery benefits program helps combat summer childhood hunger. Families with eligible school-age children will receive a one-time $120 benefit per eligible child during the summer for groceries. Learn more at mydss.mo.gov/SuNBucks

05/19/2026

☀️🏊 Healthy & Safe Swimming Week 🏊☀️

With local schools letting out and pools, lakes, and splash pads opening soon, now is the perfect time to think about water safety before summer officially begins!

We encourage families to follow a few simple tips to stay safe and healthy around the water this season:

💦 Don’t swim if you are sick, especially with diarrhea, to help prevent the spread of germs in pools and splash pads. Did you know swallowing even a small amount of water contaminated with diarrhea germs can make you sick for up to 3 weeks? Don't swallow water at the pool or splash pad!
👀 Always watch children closely around water- drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Avoid distractions and know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress as well as how to perform CPR
🚿 Shower before swimming to help keep pool water clean. Sweat and dirt on your body can use up chlorine needed to kill germs in the pool.
🛟 Wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating, floating, or swimming in lakes and rivers- even strong swimmers can get into trouble.
☀️ Stay hydrated, take breaks from the heat, and wear sunscreen when spending time outdoors.

A few simple steps can help everyone enjoy a fun and safe start to the summer season! ☀️

For more healthy swimming and water safety information, visit:
🔗 https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/
🔗 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/watersafety/life-jackets.htm

Sources: CDC Healthy and Safe Swimming Week Toolkit; National Park Service Water Safety Resources.

Source: CDC Healthy and Safe Swimming Week Toolkit and Water Safety Resources.

05/18/2026

💉✨ Be-Wise, Immunize! ✨💉

Nurses will be in Jamesport this Thursday!
Protect yourself, your family, and our community with a quick poke for lasting protection❤️

📅 Thursday @ 1-3:30PM
📍 Jamesport Community Building @ the City Park

Roll up your sleeve and Be-Wise, Immunize! 😄

05/11/2026

is a platform that promotes new ideas and initiatives to help keep communities healthy & safe. Join us as we celebrate the substance use prevention and well-being efforts happening nationwide! Learn more: samhsa.gov/prevention-week

05/08/2026

🦟 Alpha-Gal Syndrome: What Our Community Needs to Know 🦟
You may be hearing more about alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), especially here in Missouri, and for good reason. Our local tick population plays a role in this emerging health concern.

What is Alpha-Gal?
Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious allergic reaction to red meat and other products from mammals that can develop after a tick bite, most commonly from the lone star tick, which is widespread in Missouri.

How does it happen?
When certain ticks bite, they can introduce a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into your body. Some people then develop an allergy to it.

Common symptoms (often delayed by a few hours):
- Hives or itchy rash
- Stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea
- Swelling of lips, face, or throat
- Trouble breathing
In severe cases: anaphylaxis (life-threatening reaction)

Why this matters locally:
The ticks that can cause AGS are common across Missouri
Cases are being reported more often, and awareness is key to early diagnosis and prevention

Prevention is your best protection:
✔ Use EPA-approved insect repellent
✔ Wear long sleeves and pants in grassy or wooded areas
✔ Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after being outdoors
✔ Remove ticks promptly and safely

If you think you may have Alpha-Gal:
Talk to your healthcare provider. Diagnosis often includes a blood test and review of symptoms and history.

Learn more from these trusted sources:
🔹 CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome
🔹 Missouri Dept. of Health: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/tickscarrydisease/ags.php
🔹 MU Extension (local guidance): https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/n1350

Our goal is to keep Daviess County informed and safe, especially during tick season. If you have questions, reach out to us anytime! 💚

05/08/2026

In observance of Truman Day, our office will be closed on Friday, May 8.

We recognize and honor President Harry S. Truman, Missouri’s only U.S. President, and his lasting legacy of leadership and public service. ⭐🇺🇸

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, May 11.

05/07/2026

If you open a letter with a plastic Medicare card in it, don't "activate it." This is a scam. Medicare is not sending plastic Medicare cards. Report this to the SMP.

05/06/2026

Today we celebrate the incredible nurses of the Daviess County Health Department for National Nurses Day! 💙

Our public health nurses are the heart of what we do, providing compassionate care, supporting families, promoting wellness, and showing up for our community every single day. Whether they’re educating, advocating, or going the extra mile for a patient, their impact reaches far beyond our walls.

We are grateful for their dedication, knowledge, and the unique strengths each of them brings to our team. They don’t just care for our community- they truly care about our community.

Please join us in thanking our amazing nurses for all they do! 👩‍⚕️👏

05/04/2026

April was a big month for our team!
This effort took incredible teamwork, long hours, and a strong commitment to community health. Our nurses and staff worked tirelessly to make this event a success, and we are so grateful for their dedication and passion.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative- together, we are building a healthier Daviess County! 💙