Oconto County Public Health Press Releases

Free drug harm reduction kits containing Narcan, fentanyl test strips and education on how to use these items will be available for pick up from Oconto County Public Health starting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Oconto County health officials announced today.  “Harm reduction is one piece of a comprehensive initiative to impact substance abuse and…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced that 120,600 fentanyl test strips have been distributed to organizations across the state to help prevent drug overdose deaths. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin. “Wisconsinites who use drugs are more likely to encounter fentanyl than ever before,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging Wisconsinites to get an updated COVID-19 booster vaccination and their annual flu shot ahead of the upcoming holiday season. People can safely get their COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines at the same time, including the annual flu vaccine. Everyone age 5 and older is now eligible…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced on October 7, 2022 that on August 8, 2022, as part of a cybersecurity incident investigation, DHS was notified that a presentation emailed to the DHS Children’s Long-Term Support Council in April 2021 contained protected health information. This presentation was forwarded to employees working for county government…

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is working with local public health agencies and health care providers in the Twin Cities area to investigate 13 cases of measles that occurred June through September among several different families with unvaccinated children. Most of these children had a history of travel to a country where measles is…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is expanding the eligibility criteria for who can get vaccinated to protect themselves against monkeypox. Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new eligibility criteria allow for more people who may be at a higher risk for being exposed to the monkeypox virus to…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) are reminding Wisconsinites that their COVID-19 at-home tests and booster shots are still available with no out-of-pocket cost. Doses of the updated COVID-19 boosters are in Wisconsin and will continue to be delivered to providers over the next several weeks.…

Continue to prevent mosquito bites until the first hard frost The Wisconsin Department of Health services (DHS) is reminding people to protect themselves from mosquito bites following the first confirmed human case this year of West Nile virus (WNV) in a Sheboygan County resident. Despite cooler temperatures, mosquito activity and the risk of WNV will continue until…

Everyone age 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, is encouraged to receive a flu vaccine Flu season is approaching and Oconto County Public Health is sharing information to keep you and your family healthy. High dose flu vaccines are recommended for those age 65 and older this flu season.    This recommendation was based on…

Oconto County Public Health will provide free flu vaccine to students in grades 4K-12 at Oconto County schools this fall.  Students who turn in a signed and completed consent form will receive a free flu vaccine at school.  All students in these grades are eligible.  There are no income or insurance requirements and both the…