Osborne County Health Department

04/30/2026

Lace up and join us for a walk! 👟

Kick off National Walking Month with us on Monday, May 4, at the newly surfaced walking path at Osborne County Memorial Hospital!

Stop by anytime between 11:30 AM – 1 PM for a quick walk over your lunch break—come and go as your schedule allows. It’s a great way to get moving, enjoy the fresh air, and check out the updated pathway.

Plus, there will be chances to win door prizes!

04/30/2026

Interested in babysitting and ready to gain valuable child care skills? Join us for the Babysitting Clinic on May 28, 2026 at Mitchell County Hospital!
Participants will gain hands-on knowledge in CPR & First Aid, child development, safety, nutrition, and the business of babysitting.
For 4th grade and up.

8:30am - 12:00pm
$35 registration | Limit 20 participants
Register by May 21st to save your spot!

04/30/2026

BE TICK AWARE
- Ticks are common in Kansas and a natural part of the environment. If you spend time outdoors you will encounter ticks.
- Ticks can carry diseases that make people and animals sick. These include Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and the red meat allergy, Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
- Take measures to prevent tick bites.
- Perform careful tick checks on yourself, children and pets.
- Watch out for symptoms for 30 days after a tick bite. See your doctor right away if you develop fever, headache, rash, fatigue, or any symptoms suggestive of tickborne disease. Early treatment can prevent severe illness.

Learn more about ticks in Kansas here: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2241/Ticks

04/02/2026

Now you can check your own vaccination records within minutes using the secure online KSWebIZ Public Portal at: myvaccinerecord.ks.gov

03/07/2026

02/17/2026

I-70 closed in both directions between Colby and Oakley

The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed both directions of I-70 between Colby and Oakley due to vehicle crashes blocking the roadway reduced visibility from blowing dust.

High Wind and Red Flag Warnings are in effect through the afternoon across much of northwest Kansas. Motorists are advised to consider delaying non-essential travel if possible.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

Reports regarding traffic incidents, winter road conditions, traffic cameras, active and planned construction, etc.

01/23/2026

The 2026 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) application period is open! If eligible, LIEAP could help you pay a portion of your primary home heating costs during the winter season with a one-time per year benefit paid directly to your energy provider.

Applications must be received by DCF by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

Read the full release at: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Newsroom/Pages/LIEAP2026.aspx.

Need help with your LIEAP application? Visit LIEAP.dcf.ks.gov to find an application event near you.

01/22/2026

Dangerous cold arrives tonight/Friday morning. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect 12am Friday to 12pm Sunday, with wind chill values of -15 to -25 degrees.

Snow is possible across the area Friday-Saturday. The highest totals (3+") favor areas along and south of the KS/NE border.

After a bitterly cold start to next week (wind chills of -15 to -20 Monday morning) temperatures climb back towards normal (30's) by the middle of next week.

Send a message to learn more

01/15/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jan. 15, 2026

Contact: Jill Bronaugh

KDHE Urges Kansans to Protect Against Seasonal Influenza and Other Respiratory Illnesses

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to remind Kansans to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect against seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses as the number of emergency department and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness is increasing in Kansas and across the United States.

A typical influenza season runs from October to May, with activity usually picking up between December and February. In Kansas, between Dec. 28, 2025, and Jan. 3, 2026, influenza accounted for 5.1% of all emergency department visits. Trends in emergency department visits in Kansas are tracking very similar to the 2024/2025 season, which was generally considered a severe influenza season. When accounting for emergency department visits for all acute respiratory illnesses, the percentage increases to 19.1% of all visits. Workbook: ESSENCE Dashboard

“The best protection we have against seasonal flu each year is vaccination,” KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dereck Totten said. “There is still time to get a flu vaccine this season. The vaccine has been shown to not only reduce the risk of getting the flu but also to protect against the potentially serious complications of the flu, especially for immunocompromised individuals.”

As would be expected at this point in the season, Kansas is mostly seeing Influenza A virus circulating. A new influenza A(H3N2) virus subclade J.2.4.1, also recently renamed "H3N2 subclade K," was identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in August 2025. Among 436 influenza A(H3N2) viruses collected in the United States since Sept. 28, 2025, that underwent additional genetic characterization at CDC, 91.5% belonged to subclade K. Advanced testing performed by the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories on 13 influenza A(H3) viruses received since Sept. 28, 2025, found that 92% belonged to subclade K.

Although subclade K emerged after the 2025-26 vaccine strains were chosen, early estimates of vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-related hospitalization suggest that the vaccine is performing as expected among both children and adults. More information on vaccine effectiveness in the United States will be shared as sufficient data has been collected.

Along with getting the flu vaccine, below are some other precautions to consider as preventative measures when it comes to protecting against the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications and overall symptoms are getting better.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective when soap and water is unavailable.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread easily this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
More prevention and treatment information can be found on the KDHE website’s Influenza page.

Send a message to learn more

12/22/2025

Driving in Kansas means sharing the road with all kinds of motorists—some cautious, some hurried, and unfortunately, some distracted.

While you can’t control what others do, you can take steps to protect yourself and those you care about by staying fully alert and engaged behind the wheel.

Distracted driving isn’t just about texting. It includes eating, adjusting the radio, reaching for items, or even daydreaming. Every time your eyes leave the road or your mind drifts, your reaction time slows—and that can make the difference between a safe trip and a serious crash.

The reality is simple: when you’re driving, your only job is driving. Staying alert helps you anticipate hazards, react quickly, and avoid the mistakes of others who may not be paying attention.

Here are five practical tips to keep you focused and safe:
1. Put your phone away. Silence notifications and keep your device out of reach until you’re parked.
2. Plan ahead. Set your GPS, adjust mirrors, and choose your playlist before you start moving.
3. Keep both hands on the wheel. It’s the easiest way to stay in control and ready for surprises.
4. Avoid multitasking. Eating, grooming, or searching for items can wait until you’re stopped.
5. Stay mentally present. If you’re tired or stressed, take a break before hitting the road.

Your attention is your best defense against distracted drivers. Make it a habit because every mile matters.