Vilas County Health Department

 Quitting smoking and tobacco use can be very difficult for those who have been using it for a long time. Experts say within the first 7 to 10 days it’s especially difficult. Supportive family, friends, and co-workers can make this transition easier. Vilas County Public Health Department spokesperson, Tammi Boers says supporters should respect that person’s needs.

The warm summer temperatures can lead to a problem no one should ignore: heatstroke, especially among children in a confined area.

Friday is National Heatstroke Prevention Day.

Tammi Boers from the Vilas County Health Department says children left in cars are at risk. On average every 8 days a child dies from heatstroke when left in a vehicle...

Two bats in Vilas county have been diagnosed with rabies in the past week and a Vilas county health official cautions the public to make sure pets are vaccinated.

Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of mammals, including humans. People and unvaccinated animals can get rabies from an infected animal. If caught soon enough in humans, it can be treated, but if left untreated, it is almost always fatal.

The Oneida and Vilas Public Health and Emergency Management Departments have released a list of facilities open 24 hours that people could go to if they need to warm up in the extreme cold.

In Oneida county, Trig's Riverwalk Centre and Wal-Mart...both in Rhinelander... are facilities that are open 24 hours. In Minocqua, Trig's and WalMart along Highway 70 are open 24 hours, as is Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff..

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

  Public health officials are urging women over the age of 50 to get an annual mammogram.  Vilas County Public Health Nurse Pam Pederson says the breast x-ray can help catch early signs of cancer.

“Breast cancer if detected early is very treatable.  If they do these yearly exams, chances are we’re gonna catch it in a early stage, and be able to treat it and save lives.” 

Health officials are urging parents to make sure their children are up to date on vaccines before school starts. 

Laurel Dreger is a nurse with the Vilas County Health Department.  She says kids and some adults who have already been vaccinated may be due for a booster shot. 

“Parents can check with their health care providers or the public health department in their area, and we will look up their children’s records and let them know if they might be needing some shots before they enter school in the fall.”