Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-4:30pm
Closed on Holidays
Address:
Polk County Health Department
100 Polk County Plaza
Suite 180
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Phone:
715-485-8500
Email:
After Hours Emergency Phone Number:
Call 715-485-8300 or 911 in an Emergency to report:
- Public Health Emergencies
- Communicable Disease Outbreaks
- Environmental Health Hazards
- Bioterrorism Incidents
Why does the Polk County Health Department (PCHD) need this information? The Polk County Health Department is required by law to report and investigate events that may affect the public's health. This is why it is important for us to hear from you when you suspect an uncommon illness or event. To learn more about the health department's requirements, please click here.
Websites
Healthy Polk County 2020 vs 2014-2016 fi[...]
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Healthy Polk County 2020 vs 2014-2016 fi[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [1.7 MB]
2017 CHA Update WEBSITE.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [529.5 KB]
Find us on Facebook
2018 June Heat Advisory.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [375.3 KB]
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Salmonella Infections Linked to Chicken Distributed by Ruby's Pantry Pop-up Location
Four people in two states have become ill
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Minnesota Department Agriculture (MDA) and local health departments are investigating at least four cases of salmonellosis affecting three Wisconsin residents and one Minnesota resident. All four of the patients received frozen breaded chicken products at a Ruby’s Pantry pop-up location before their illnesses. Specifically, a raw breaded chicken product, that may look fully cooked, was distributed to Ruby’s Pantry patrons without cooking instructions or labels stating that the product was raw.
Anyone who received any unlabeled chicken products from any Ruby’s Pantry location is advised to either discard any remaining product or cook it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. These products may be raw even if they appear cooked Ruby’s Pantry is cooperating with investigators and has voluntarily agreed to not distribute any unlabeled chicken products.
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Amber Teething Necklaces: A Caution for Parents
When parents see their baby suffering, they just want a solution. Amber teething necklaces have become an increasing popular alternative treatment to ease teething pain. But, are they effective and safe? The answer is no.
Watch Out For Faulty Claims
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, the use of these necklaces is not supported by modern science. Retailers claim that when warmed by the baby's body temperature, the amber releases a pain-relieving substance that is then absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Additionally, promoters claim that they stimulate the thyroid gland (to control drooling) and improve the ability of the immune system to reduce inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach and respiratory system. However, there is currently no scientific research or evidence to back up these claims.
Why These Necklaces are Choking and Strangulation Hazards
"The risk is two-fold — strangulation and choking," said pediatrician Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP. It occurs when the necklaces are worn around a child's neck, especially when unsupervised (such as while sleeping) or if the child were to break the necklace and swallow the beads. However, those risks are not only for these teething necklaces. Click here for more information.
RECALLS
Recalls often occur as a result of safety concerns over a manufacturing defect in a product that may harm its user.
Follow the links below to learn more about recent recalls in each category:
Urgent: Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Click link below for more information.
Multistate outbreak of E:coli 0157:H7 Infections linked to Romaine Lettuce.
Urgent: Voluntary Product Recall of Vuse Vibe Power Units
Click link below for more information.
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