OC Department of Public Health

23/07/2025

Thank you to Ottawa County Parks and Recreation for partnering with us to bring this important educational session to our community! Together, we provided essential information about protecting yourself and your family from ticks (Lyme disease), mosquitoes (West Nile virus), and rabies.

📹 Missed the session? Watch the full recording to learn valuable prevention tips: https://youtu.be/C2_8txQtd8c?si=rDTRfyl7jT45Z-k1

⚠️ With our recent confirmation of the first rabid bat of 2025 in Ottawa County, this educational content is especially timely. Knowledge is your best defense when enjoying the great outdoors!

The OC Department of Public Health recently hosted a helpful session on how they track ticks & mosquitoes, shared tips to protect you and your family from diseases they may carry, and touched on the topic of rabies. 🦟

🎥 Watch the recorded session to learn how to stay safe outdoors this summer 👉 https://youtu.be/C2_8txQtd8c?si=rDTRfyI7jT45Z-k1

18/07/2025

🦇 IMPORTANT: First rabies-positive bat found in Ottawa County this year

While it's just one bat, rabies is 100% fatal if untreated – but completely preventable with proper precautions. Bats are most active May through September, so now is the time to stay informed.

If you find a bat: 🚫 Don't touch or release it 📞 Call OCDPH at 616-396-5266 to see if it needs testing 🏥 Seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched 📋 Safe collection instructions: www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html

Of particular concern: If you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping or with an unattended child or adult who cannot communicate clearly – contact us immediately, even if you don't see any bites.

Keep your family safe: ✅ Vaccinate pets (even indoor cats!) ✅ Never touch or handle wild animals ✅ Call your vet immediately if pets encounter wildlife

Remember: Wild animals can carry rabies without looking sick. Taking these simple steps protects everyone in our community.

Questions? Visit our website or call 616-396-5266.

18/07/2025

🏫 Schedule your child’s health appointments now to beat the rush!

WHO NEEDS DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHOOL?

Students entering:
- Kindergarten
- 7th Grade
- Students who are new to any district

CHOOSE YOUR APPOINTMENT OPTION:

✅ OPTION 1: Vaccination Records

Contact your child's healthcare provider to:
- Review vaccination records
- Catch up on any missing vaccines
- Ensure school receives updated documentation

📋 OPTION 2: Waiver Documentation

Call OCDPH to schedule a required education session:
- Learn about vaccination benefits and disease risks
- Receive state-certified waiver documentation

KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES: Don't forget your child also needs hearing and vision and oral health screenings! Schedule these appointments early along with your other appointments.

🌟 WHY SCHEDULE NOW?
⏰ Avoid the August appointment rush
📅 More appointment times available
😌 Less stress for the whole family

📞 READY TO SCHEDULE?

For waiver, hearing and vision, or oral health appointments:
Call OCDPH: (616) 396-5266

For vaccination records:
Contact your child's healthcare provider

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Students without proper vaccination documentation may be excluded from school until requirements are met.

08/07/2025

🌊 Do you know what "Flip, Float, Follow" means? 🌊

Our water safety newsletter is packed with helpful tips and information to make your summer on the water safe and fun.

Inside you'll find:

✅ The "Flip, Float, Follow" technique for rip currents
✅ How to help someone in trouble using "Throw, Row, Go"
✅ Where to find weekly beach water testing results
✅ What to know about harmful algal blooms
✅ Updates about Grand Haven channel dredging this summer
✅ Public pool safety and sun protection tips

Whether you're a regular at Lake Michigan beaches or just planning a few pool days, this newsletter has everything you need to stay informed and enjoy your summer water activities to the fullest!

Find all of our tips here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/bulletins/3e5f4af

03/07/2025

Our Tips for a Safe and Healthy Holiday Weekend!

🦟PROTECT AGAINST MOSQUITOES & TICKS

Environmental Public Health detected Jamestown Canyon Virus in a mosquito this week. There have been no human cases reported, but this is a good time to remember how to avoid being bitten.

Simple protection steps:
✅ Use EPA-approved repellent with DEET or picaridin
✅ Wear long sleeves/pants when possible
✅ Remove standing water around your home
✅ Do tick checks after outdoor activities

🏖️ WATER SAFETY
• Don't swim if you are sick, including with any symptom like diarrhea
• Shower before and after swimming
• Avoid swallowing lake or river water
• Always supervise children - NO LIFEGUARDS at county parks
• Check beach water quality updates at miottawa.org/beachwatch

🔥 GRILLING SAFETY
• Wash hands before and after handling food
• Use a food thermometer for safe cooking temperatures
• Keep cold foods below 41°F, hot foods above 135°F
• Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods (salads, fruits, chips)
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Have a safe holiday weekend, Ottawa County!

20/06/2025

Summer adventures ahead! 🏕️✈️ Whether you're planning to travel or sending kids to camp, now's the time to check your family's measles immunity status. Measles is highly contagious. Many camps require proof of immunity, and it's smart preparation for travel too. A simple conversation with your healthcare provider can help you understand your options and make informed decisions for your summer plans. Here's to safe and healthy summer adventures!

19/06/2025

🌡️ HIGH HEAT ALERT: Saturday, June 21 - Tuesday, June 24 🌡️

Dangerous heat is heading our way this weekend through Tuesday. Protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing the signs of heat-related illness.

HEAT EXHAUSTION WARNING SIGNS:
Faint or dizzy feelings
Excessive sweating
Cool, pale, clammy skin
Nausea, vomiting, or muscle cramps
Rapid pulse

HEAT STROKE - CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY:
Confusion or disorientation
Very high body temperature
Red, hot skin (may be dry or sweaty)
Loss of consciousness
Rapid pulse

STAY SAFE:✅ Move to cool, air-conditioned spaces ✅ Loosen clothing and use cool, wet cloths ✅ Drink plenty of cool water ✅ Check on elderly neighbors and relatives ✅ Never leave children or pets in vehicles ✅ Call 2-1-1 for cooling center locations

⚠️ Get medical help if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour. ⚠️

17/06/2025

National HIV Testing Day - a nationwide event to promote health awareness and knowing your status – is coming up! In recognition of this day, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health is partnering with Walgreens to offer free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing.

📍 When: Monday, June 24, 10 AM - 6 PM
📍 Where: Walgreens, 494 Butternut Drive, Holland
✅ Finger prick testing provided by the health department
✅ No appointment needed - results available in 20 minutes
✅ Completely confidential

Knowing your status helps you make informed decisions about your health and treatment options.

Questions? Call 616-396-5266

06/06/2025

It's CPR & AED Awareness Week!

Did you know that the City of Holland is a certified HeartSafe Community?

❤️ Every second counts in an emergency - and you can be the difference between life and death.

4,628 individuals have been trained in hands-only CPR through HeartSafe Holland. For the past two years, the City of Holland has maintained its HeartSafe Community designation, which means residents are better equipped to respond when someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

🙌 Ready to learn this life-saving skill?

Our partners at HeartSafe Holland regularly offer FREE Hands-Only CPR & AED training.

👉 Visit HeartSafeHolland.org to learn more and schedule your training.

Because every second counts, and every trained person makes our community safer! 💪

Did you know it is CPR & AED Awareness Week?

❤️ Learn to Save a Life! 🫀
Be part of our mission to make Holland a HeartSafe Community — because every second counts in an emergency.

Want to learn how to save a life? Free Hands-Only CPR & AED training is available right here in the City of Holland!

👉 Interested? Visit HeartSafeHolland.org to learn more or schedule training.

05/06/2025

🚨 AIR QUALITY ALERT 🚨

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is making our air unhealthy to breathe through Friday, June 6 at noon.

Who needs to be extra careful:
- Children and pregnant women
- Adults 60 and older
- People with asthma, heart disease, or lung problems

You should:
✅ Stay inside when possible
✅ Keep windows and doors closed
✅ Use air conditioning if you have it
✅ Avoid outdoor exercise and activities
✅ If you must go outside, consider wearing an N95 mask

Everyone else:
✅ Choose less strenuous activities.
✅ Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors
✅ Be active outdoors when air quality is better

Signs the air is affecting you:
- Coughing or throat irritation
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Watery or burning eyes

Check your area's air quality: www.airnow.gov

30/05/2025

Wildfire smoke from Canada is creating unhealthy air in Michigan this weekend. Everyone should take care, but people with heart or lung conditions, adults 60+, pregnant people, and children should limit outdoor time and prevent outdoor air and smoke from coming inside by keeping windows and doors closed. Learn more at bit.ly/MDHHS-Wildfire-Smoke.

The best place to be when it is smoky outside is indoors. If you need to be outside, consider wearing a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.”

Learn more at bit.ly/EPA-masks and learn more about wildfire smoke and health at bit.ly/MDHHS-Wildfire-Smoke.