A Message on West Nile Virus from the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District

The South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District (SCCMAD), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) surveillances indicate a large increase in West Nile Virus activity in mosquitoes. It is important that residents and businesses eliminate stagnant water on their properties. To avoid mosquito bites and prevent West Nile Virus disease, these precautions are recommended: Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. When outdoors at this time, use mosquito repellent. Change water in bird baths and wading pools daily. Eliminate water in flowerpots, children toys, old tires and any other receptacles. Clear gutters and down spouts so water does not sit in them. Report catch basin or standing water on you property to SCCMAD. Un-maintained swimming pools may produce thousands of mosquitoes. Report these instances to your City Hall or SCCMAD. August Marks National Immunization Awareness Month Whether you are packing your child’s first backpack with school supplies for Kindergarten or loading up their trunk for freshman year at college - there is no better time than now to get your children’s vaccinations up to date. “As parents we do everything we can to keep our children safe and healthy, protecting them from vaccine preventable diseases should be no different,” said CCDPH interim chief operating officer, Sandra Martell, RN, DNP. “Many young parents have not witnessed the devastating impact of vaccine preventable diseases. A child without the immunity that comes from being vaccinated is more likely to contract a communicable disease such as pertussis or measles and put others at risk of becoming infected.” New Illinois Department of Public Health rules require students entering sixth and ninth grades this school year show proof of receiving the Tdap vaccine booster shot for continued protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. This newly required Tdap booster will help protect students and those around them, including infants, who are too young to be fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in infants younger than 1 year of age who get pertussis, more than half will be hospitalized and of those hospitalized, 1 in 5 will get pneumonia. For infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated, a pertussis infection may be fatal. Millions of cases of life threatening diseases including: measles, small pox and polio have been prevented because of the availability of safe and effective childhood vaccines. Call your healthcare provider to make an appointment to get your child’s vaccinations current. On Thursday, July 26, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, joined by Commissioner Jeffrey R. Tobolski and Herman Brewer, Bureau Chief, Economic Development for Cook County, toured Ingredion Incorporated (formerly known as Corn Products International, Inc. ), one of the world’s leading ingredient solutions providers and located in Cook County, Illinois for over 100 years. In 2011, their net sales reached $6.2 billion - a growth of 42% over 2010. The morning started by viewing the safety video and historic overview of the company, supplied by Ingredion senior staff.