Public Health concerned about county suicides

MARENGO — Among the activities of Iowa County Health Department in 2024, the founding of a suicide prevention task force is one of the most important.

“The numbers are up. We’ve had five suicides in the last year,” Lorinda Sheeler, Iowa County Health Department administrator, told Iowa County Supervisors last month.

All of the suicides were people more than 50 years old. “We’re concerned about our elderly,” said Sheeler.

Drug overdoses could be suicides that aren’t recognized as such, Sheeler said. “We’re working right now to get medical examiner data.”

Iowa County has poor brain health, according to data gathered by the Public Health Department. Public Health is focused on prevention, said Sheeler.

Many people don’t know about the 988 suicide prevention phone number, according to Sheeler. Public health is trying to get that information out to the public.

Public Health investigated 52 animal bites in fiscal year 2024, Sheeler said. The department has met with law enforcement and put together an animal bite pamphlet. “Now everyone is on the same page,” said Sheeler.

Rabies is the greatest danger from the bites. It’s 100% fatal.

Many people don’t report dog bites, especially if their own animal bites them, Sheeler said.

Law enforcement looks at it a little differently, said Sheeler. “But we’re trying to work together.”

Public Health investigated 44 reportable diseases in fiscal year 2024. The numbers are not extremely large, said Sheeler, but the investigations can take about three hours.

Public Health makes sure the illnesses aren’t passed on to other people and that there are no environmental concerns.

Public Health investigated six cases of campylobacter. Chickens are the most common carriers, Sheeler said.

Ecoli is common in Iowa because of cattle. Public health investigated eight cases in 2024.

Public Health saw one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, often caused from undercooked beef, and 15 cases of salmonella.

While most people understand that eggs are typically the source, but there are more than 70 species of the bacteria. Almost every animal has its own, said Sheeler.

The avian flu is a concern for Public Health and the two Iowa County dairy farms in Victor and Hartwick. Avian flu makes cows produce less milk, said Sheeler. The virus could mutate to be a danger to humans.

Iowa County Home Health helps homebound patients Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and after hours in emergencies. “We’re not there to replace caregivers,” said Sheeler.

The staff gives care ordered by doctors. They follow doctors’ orders and regulations, she said.

The office served 157 patients, made 4,784 total visits — 2.740 home health visits and 926 homemaker visits, and 235 visits for physical therapy.

The staff traveled 48,794 miles in the county during fiscal year 2024. “That sounds really high to me,” said Sheeler, but when she considered the fact that 1, 657 visits were made to North English in the far southern part of the county, it seemed reasonable.

“North English has a great need” because no other agency serves the southern part of the county, Sheeler said.

The staff made 1,079 visits in Williamsburg and 1,814 in Marengo, 135 to Victor, 131 in Amana and 124 in Williamsburg.

The staff also made visits to Ladora, Deep River, Oxford and Wellman.

The Iowa County Public Health Department is offering flu vaccines at various locations across the county this month.

On Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., flu shots will be offered at North English Community Center. From noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 16, vaccines will be offered at Marengo Senior Dining on Court Avenue.

The cost is $10. Vaccines are free for those who present Medicare/Medicaid insurance cards.

Anyone 60 and older will receive a $20 Casey’s gift card while supplies last.

The FDA didn’t approve the COVID vaccine for this year until recently, said Sheeler. She will be purchasing a few doses.

Sheeler said that COVID vaccines are now sold privately and costs about $200. Flu vaccines cost only $20.

Personal insurance will cover the cost of the COVID vaccine for patients, but if Sheeler doesn’t see enough demand for the vaccine, the vaccines will expire and the county won’t recover the cost.