Oconto County Public Health Press Releases

DHS Secretary-designee Highlights Over $18 Million in Grants at Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit

May 17, 2023

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson took the stage at the annual Opioids, Stimulant, and Trauma Summit in Wisconsin Dells today to highlight several grant awards totaling over $18 million to tribal nations and local health agencies and other partners to address opioid and other substance use disorders affecting Wisconsinites. Funding for…

DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response

April 26, 2023

The federal government has announced the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end May 11. In Wisconsin, case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 are significantly lower than they were during the surge in late 2021 and early 2022, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been making plans to move away from an…

FREE CAR SEAT CHECK IN OCONTO FALLS

April 17, 2023

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 As part of the Oconto County Health and Safety Fair, Oconto County Public Health is holding a free car seat check event on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church located at 165 N. Farm Road in Oconto Falls.  Please note that the car seat…

DHS Submits Plan to Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance on How to Use $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

March 30, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently submitted its plan to use nearly $8 million in opioid settlement funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) to support prevention, harm reduction, and capital projects to address the state’s opioid crisis. The money is part of the $400 million the state receives in annual installments through…

DHS Investigating FoodShare Benefits Scam

March 14, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is investigating a scam that targets FoodShare members through fake text messages. DHS is alerting members to take steps now to protect their benefits. “It is alarming that scammers are going after public benefits like FoodShare that people rely on to feed themselves and their families,” said DHS…

DHS Monitoring Increase in Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases

February 7, 2023

State sees largest number of reported cases in over 10 years Since July 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has received five reports of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), with four cases associated with super absorbency tampon use by teenage females. No deaths have been reported. TSS is a serious illness caused by bacteria…

DHS Seeks Ideas for $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

January 26, 2023

Survey results will help prioritize how to best address opioid use disorder The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is asking the public to share thoughts on how to use a second round of opioid settlement funds to provide guidance on where money should be spent to reduce harms associated with opioid use disorder. Approximately…

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Test Their Homes for Radon

January 9, 2023

During National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging residents and business owners to test their homes and buildings for radon. Exposure to radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer nationally, and easy-to-use tests are widely available. “Radon is an environmental health issue in our state. Approximately one in 10 homes…

Oconto County Health Department Discounts Radon Tests

January 3, 2023

Health Department partners with local municipalities to offer $5 radon tests to help prevent lung cancer The Oconto County Health Department is lowering the price of radon tests to encourage Oconto County residents to test for radon gas in their homes. The easy to use tests will be for sale at the discounted price of…

DHS Confirms Pediatric Influenza-Associated Death in Wisconsin

December 21, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death in Wisconsin for the 2022-2023 season. Nationwide, 30 pediatric influenza-associated deaths have been reported.  DHS encourages all Wisconsinites, especially children, to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Early data show this year’s flu vaccine is a match to current…