Latest news with #DouglasCountyHealthDepartment
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Douglas Co. no longer accepting Health Alliance insurance
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Douglas County Health Department announced on Thursday that clients with Health Alliance insurance will now be required to pay costs out of pocket. Carle Health previously announced that its healthcare plans through Health Alliance will end by the end of the year — including Medicare Advantage. The Douglas County Health Department cited Health Alliance's planned closure as the reason they will no longer accept Health Alliance insurance, 'effective immediately.' Insurance expert breaks down implications of Health Alliance's discontinued services The health department said clients with Health Alliance can fill out an income sheet to find out if you qualify for the sliding income scale — but also noted that the sliding income scale does not cover labs, immunizations, the nail clinic or certain services with the nurse practitioner. WCIA reached out to the health department for more information but did not immediately hear back. WCIA previously reported that when officials first announced that Health Alliance planned to close, officials said that health plans will maintain operations necessary to support claims processing and meeting ongoing business needs, regulatory mandates and contractual obligations throughout the remainder of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Health officials urge caution after dead rabbit and squirrel found with rare bacterial disease
A dead rabbit found in central Illinois tested positive for a bacterial disease last week, prompting the local health department to urge residents to monitor their families and pets for signs of the illness. The rabbit infected with tularemia was found in Tuscola, a small community south of Champaign, following weeks of reports of ill and dead squirrels in nearby Urbana. One of the rodents had also tested positive for the disease, which is rare but serious and can affect animals and humans. 'The presence of infected wildlife may indicate an increased risk of exposure in the area,' the Douglas County Health Department said in a Thursday statement, echoing an announcement made by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District three days earlier about local squirrel deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, tularemia is caused by F rancisella tularensis, bacteria that are mostly found in rodents, rabbits and hares. About 100 to 200 cases are reported every year in the country, and it naturally occurs in all states except Hawaii. Illinois reported nine cases in 2023, behind seven other states: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Colorado and Kentucky. Pets can become infected if they come into contact with or eat an infected animal, or breathe in or ingest contaminated food or water. They can also be exposed to the disease through tick and flea bites. Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials. The department also urges that cats and dogs not be allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised and be protected from tick bites. While tularemia has not been found to spread between people, humans can catch it by being bitten by an infected tick, deerfly or other insect; skin contact with infected animals; eating or drinking contaminated food or water; or breathing in the bacteria during farming or landscaping activities if a tractor or mower runs over an infected animal's carcass. Health officials recommend wearing EPA-registered insect repellent and long clothing outdoors, not drinking untreated surface water, and not handling sick or dead wild animals unless wearing gloves. Symptoms in humans include fever, chills, muscle pain or tenderness, and lack of energy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tularemia manifests in six main types with different signs and symptoms depending on how the bacteria enter the body — through the skin, eyes, mouth or lungs. Up to 80% of cases lead to skin ulcers and swollen, tender glands. Effects from the other types include painful, red eyes with yellow discharge, a sore throat, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain, and weight loss. Because it is rare and its symptoms can be mistaken for other common illnesses, tularemia can be difficult to diagnose. The CDC recommends sharing any likely exposures with health-care providers to help with the diagnosis. If untreated, tularemia has a human mortality rate of 5% to 15%, which can be lowered to about 1% by antibiotic treatment, according to state health officials.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dead rabbit tests positive for tularemia in Douglas Co.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A rabbit found dead in Tuscola was confirmed to have died from tularemia, officials in Douglas County said. Now, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging area residents to be aware of tularemia symptoms, and to monitor family members and pets for signs of illness. Illinois reports first measles case of 2025 Tularemia is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. It's commonly found in animals like rodents, rabbits and hares. Humans, cats and dogs can also become infected. It can be passed on through contact with infected animals, through tick or flea bites, or by inhaling or ingesting infected materials. Symptoms may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, a sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough and weakness. If you develop symptoms, or you notice symptoms in your pet, contact your healthcare provider or your veterinarian immediately. To reduce the chance of you or your pets of becoming infected, the Douglas County Health Department said there are a couple of steps to take. This includes: Supervising your cats or dogs while they are outdoors Making sure your pets are protected from tick bites Reporting large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to your local animal control agency Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals Avoiding handling wild animals In Champaign County, health officials warned residents that a squirrel tested positive for tularemia April 16. For more information about tularemia, visit the CDC's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
