Fevers, coughs, flu and shots: Henry County Public Health gives updates

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Public Health Director Katie Reuter discussed vaccines, Lassa Fever, and Whooping Cough as she gave a monthly update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors.

At the end of October, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the death of a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident due to Lass Fever. According to HHS, the individual contracted the virus during a recent visit to West Africa.

“It's a viral illness that's it's caused by rodents in a certain area, so there is low risk for person-to-person transmission, but it can happen with exposure to blood or body fluids,” Rueter said.

Following this case, HHS worked with the University of Iowa and Center for Disease Control to identify anyone that may have been in close contact with the patient out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring. When Supervisor White asked if there was any concern about Lass Fever in Henry County Rueter stated that there was one health care worker they were following, but there weren’t any cases in Henry County.

Rueter did inform the board that Public Health has seen a rise in Whooping Cough cases in the county in September and October. Whooping Cough immunizations are included in the Tdap vaccine.

“Iowa Health and Human Services has not deemed it an outbreak, but just so that the public is aware,” Rueter said. “We’ve been working closely with the three clinics here in town on that.”

With Flu seasoning generally running from October through April in Iowa, Henry County Public Health made significant efforts to offer ample opportunities for vaccinations throughout October with 15 regularly scheduled clinics in office and 13 additional outreach, mobile clinics.

According to Henry County Public Health Director Katie Reuter, Public Health staff vaccinated a total of 140 children, 357 adults with a total of 790 vaccines for Flu and COVID-19.

The Center for Disease Control recommends COVID-19 and Flu vaccines for all individuals over six months of age. Those in Henry County can receive these vaccines during Immunization Clinic hours Tuesday 9-11 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday 1-4 p.m., or the first and third Thursday until 6 p.m. at Public Health. The office even offers free vaccines for people who are uninsured.

In addition to receiving vaccinations, Henry County Public Health reminds everyone to cover their coughs and sneezes and wash their hands during this season.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com