Myrtue Public Health

11/23/2025

Did you know over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's? There are also nearly 12 million people providing unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. Many people look for assistance with understanding or navigating life with Alzheimer's. There are resources available to help!

The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) is a free service offering support for people living with dementia, caregivers, families and the public.

More information and resources regarding Alzheimer's and other dementias can also be found here: https://bit.ly/49JDuGn

11/22/2025

Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18 - 24
Antibiotics Are Only Needed to Treat Certain Infections

Antibiotics do NOT treat infections caused by viruses.
✅Antibiotics only treat certain infections caused by bacteria.
🛑Antibiotics do NOT treat infections caused by viruses including respiratory illnesses such as the common cold or a chest cold.
⚠️Antivirals, which are different from antibiotics, only treat some infections caused by viruses like flu.
Antivirals work best when started early in the course of the illness.
❗️Visit a healthcare professional promptly if you are at high risk of getting very sick from flu.

Antibiotics are only needed to treat certain infections caused by bacteria
✅Antibiotics are only needed to treat certain infections caused by bacteria (e.g., strep throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infections).
⚠️Some bacterial infections, such as many sinus infections and some ear infections, can get better without antibiotics.
❗️Talk to a healthcare professional if you develop severe diarrhea during or after taking an antibiotic. This could be a symptom of Clostridioides difficile (or C. diff) infection, a condition that requires immediate treatment.

11/22/2025

Cooking For Large Groups

Preparing food for large groups can be a risk factor for the spread of enteric illnesses, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and more. Untrained food handlers might not be familiar with important food safety considerations that apply to cooking large amounts of food. USDA and FSIS have guidelines to help volunteers prepare and serve food safely for large groups, such as family reunions, church dinners, and community gatherings, many of which take place during the holiday season.

Cooking For Large Groups: A Volunteer’s Guide To Food Safety can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/cooking-groups

11/22/2025

Do you rely on a space heater for extra warmth in your home? Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe with space heater use.

❄ Plug heater directly into wall outlet
❄ Place heater 3 ft. away from other items
❄ Turn it off when leaving room

Winter chills are coming soon to Iowa, & many will use space heaters to stay warm. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires.

☑️ Plug heater directly into wall outlet
☑️ Place heater 3 ft. away from other items
☑️ Turn it off when leaving room

Ready.iowa.gov

11/21/2025

Regional Water Rural Water Association Update

Drinking Water UPDATE

Level YELLOW Press Release

Regional Water would like to notify its customers that as of today, Friday, November 21st Booster 4 has been restored to full capacity, and the Level RED restrictions for that area are lifted effective immediately. The entire Avoca Treatment Plant System is now in Level YELLOW – Mandatory Nonessential Water Restrictions.

Regional Water staff implemented a temporary fix to the damaged booster station on October 14th, and finally received the parts necessary to make the full repairs.

Thank you for your patience.

The “Level YELLOW” restrictions only affect the Avoca Treatment Plant System, which includes rural customers of the Association in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and northern Pottawattamie Counties. Included are the communities of Avoca, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Panama, Earling, Persia, Exira, and Brayton.

How You Can Help:

- Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
- Use water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

If you have further questions, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.

This notice is being sent to you by the Regional Water Public Water Supply System.

PWSID #: IA8300184 Date Distributed: 11-21-2025

11/21/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

HHS Identifies First Flu Death of Season
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces today the first influenza-related death of the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. The individual was an older adult from southwest Iowa.

Iowa’s most recent Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows the virus at a very low level of activity, and hospitals are currently reporting low patient admission rates. Although flu activity in Iowa is currently low, Iowans can take a few simple precautions to keep themselves and their families healthy throughout the respiratory virus season.

“Holiday gatherings bring us together with family and friends we may not see often,” said State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse. “To keep those celebrations, our workplaces and our communities safe and healthy, I encourage everyone to stay home when feeling sick and to talk with your healthcare provider about vaccination."

Vaccination protects from serious illness and death from respiratory diseases like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HHS encourages Iowans to talk to their doctor or other trusted health care provider about vaccines, especially those with chronic health conditions who may be at higher risk for serious illness.

Additional Tips to Stay Healthy:
• Stay home and avoid social gatherings if you or your children are sick.
• Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
• Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an upper shirt sleeve, not a hand.
• Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, and until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.

If you or a loved one is sick and needs medical care, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can offer advice on whether you or your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for flu or other respiratory diseases, and the best location for care.

If you still need to receive your flu shot, contact Myrtue Public Health at 712.755.4308 to schedule your flu shot.

11/21/2025

~The Surprising Physical and Emotional Benefits of Gratitude ~

Want to reap the rich rewards of gratitude but don’t know where to start? Here are three steps you can start taking right away to enhance your well-being.

11/21/2025

Most people know quitting to***co is an important step in protecting their health and the health of their loved ones. But fewer than 1 in 10 people are able to quit for good without the help of coaching or ni****ne quit medications.

Quitline is a free to***co cessation program with professional quit coaches and online community provide the support you need. They can also connect you to resources like ni****ne quit medications.

Whether you're ready to quit today, are just curious about quitting, or you're supporting a loved one who uses to***co, the Quitline can help.

Are you ready to quit smoking? Quitline Iowa provides guidance and support throughout the entire process. Learn how it works: https://www.quitlineiowa.org/

11/20/2025

Plan ahead for your Thanksgiving travel!!🦃

If your Thanksgiving plans include a road trip to your destination, you aren’t alone. Expect congested roadways as 81.8 million are expected to travel, according to AAA. The period around Thanksgiving is historically one of the deadliest long weekends for car incidents.

Remember to check 511ia.org before you leave and prepare your vehicle with proper tires, air inflation, and fluids. Don't forget to pack the emergency supply kit!

Ready.iowa.gov

11/20/2025

Is it the common cold, Flu, COVID-19, or RSV? How to Tell the Difference.

Is it a cold causing your cough or runny nose? Or could it be flu, COVID-19, or RSV? Symptoms may be similar, but treatment options can differ.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/vW2t50TZNor

11/20/2025

Prevent Infectious Diseases This Holiday Season

Infectious diseases such as norovirus and respiratory illnesses tend to peak around the holidays.

There are several things you can do to help prevent infectious diseases from spoiling your holiday cheer:
• Vaccination is the best way to protect against serious viral respiratory illnesses.
• Stay home while ill to avoid infecting others.
• Wash your hands often, especially before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the
restroom. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
• Cook food to safe internal temperatures (checked via food thermometer) and refrigerate or freeze
perishable food within two hours.
o 165 F: casseroles, chicken/turkey/poultry (including stuffing), and all leftovers
o 160 F: egg dishes, ground/sausage pork or beef, venison
o 145 F: steak, ham, pork chops, fish

For information about a variety of infectious diseases, visit hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/disease-information

11/19/2025

City of Elk Horn
📢 Boil Advisory Notice – November 18, 2025

📢 Boil Advisory Notice – November 18, 2025
Due to the switchover from the old watermain service line to the new main service line, the City of Elk Horn will be under a boil advisory starting at 5:00 PM today.
This advisory will remain in effect until water samples are tested, and bacteria results are confirmed safe.
Thank you for your patience as we complete this important system upgrade. We will update residents as soon as the advisory is lifted.

-City Staff