Current Health Responses
2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season
Respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and COVID-19, are contagious infections that can affect the nose, throat, and lungs. While many individuals may experience mild symptoms, some may face severe illness or complications. It’s important to stay informed and take precautions during respiratory virus season.
Heighten Rabies Awareness
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal.
Bats are the primary species identified with rabies in Illinois. The likelihood of human-bat contact increases during summer because of bat migration and feeding patterns.
Opioid Overdoses
The opioid epidemic in Winnebago County is impacting both residents of all genders, races, and ages.
Maternal and Infant Mortality
In Winnebago County, there are significant disparities by race in the infant and maternal mortality rates.
Health Responses Overtime
WCHD Archive
This section contains archived content that is no longer being updated. Please note that information in this section may be outdated and is provided for historical reference only. Some materials may not comply with current ADA web accessibility standards. If you need any assistance with accessing these materials, please contact us, or email contactus@publichealth.wincoil.gov.
PFAS Health Notice
PFAS are chemicals that build up in the body and can cause health impacts. PFAS can be found in a variety of consumer products and in water.
Residents should reduce their exposure to PFAS. Drinking water should be protected, especially in the area around 1418 Sandy Hollow Rd, Rockford, IL 61109. Residents that live in this area should take extra precaution to test any wells not hooked up to City water and take steps to remove PFAS from drinking water. City water is not impacted by this health notice.
Exposure to PFAS in water can be reduced through home water treatment systems or through using the right carbon filters.
MEASLES
Measles is a serious disease caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air. Measles is a very contagious to unvaccinated adults and children. Make sure you and your family are up to date on your MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Vaccine.
MPV (Monkeypox)
MPV (monkeypox) is a rare disease that is caused by the orthopox virus.
Luther Center Fire
On Saturday, June 8, 2024, there was an electrical fire at the Luther Center. Residents were evacuated and placed in temporary housing. WCHD assisted the Luther Center in facilitating the return of residents to their homes once the building was declared safe for occupancy.
Chemtool Fire
On June 14, 2021, there was a large fire at Chemtool Incorporated which lead to a Disaster Proclamation being declared for Winnebago County.
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness.
Recalled ByHeart Infant Formula
Currently, Winnebago County has not seen any infant botulism cases associated with the ByHeart Formula recall. The Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) has been out to the locations identified as selling the product to ensure the product was pulled from the shelves. However, other options still exist for obtaining the formula, i.e. online ordering.
