• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Current Press Releases & Media Advisories

Advisories

Lifted - No Body Contact Advisory for Deer Creek

Lifted - No Body Contact Advisory for the Grand River

May 13, 2013

Stamp out hunger! Help provide healthy food choices.

With the busyness of Tulip Time winding down this week, residents in the Holland area can still participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive this Saturday, May 18. This national campaign allows Ottawa County residents to donate to local food pantries, by simply placing non-perishable food items out by their mailboxes for letter carriers to collect.

The Ottawa County Health Department has teamed up with the Ottawa County Food Policy Council (OCFPC) to help increase the availability of healthy foods at local food pantries. Suggested items to donate include canned chicken and fish in water; low sodium soups; low sodium canned vegetables; dried fruit; canned fruit (in its own juice); 100% whole grain pasta; whole grain rice; low sugar/high fiber cereals; 100% juice; and dry or boxed shelf-stable, low-fat milk. Participation in the mailbox food drive is year-round and is a convenient way to provide well balanced meals to residents.

Sources: United States Postal Service carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local food banks, pantries and shelters. www.helpstampouthunger.com/

The Ottawa County Food Policy Council (OCFPC) consists of members from Ottawa County Department of Public Health, United Way, local food pantries, local farmers, Ottawa County Department of Human Services, local human service organizations, food security advocates, Feeding America West Michigan, MSU Extension, and many others.

Suggested Tweet: Stamp out hunger! Leave non-perishable food donations by your mailbox http://ow.ly/kRIDF

Media Contact(s):

Kristina Wieghmink, M.Ed.
Ottawa County Public Health Communications
Office: (616) 494-5597
kwieghmink@miottawa.org

May 8, 2013

State of Disaster: Implications in Ottawa County

Now that Governor Snyder declared Ottawa County a disaster area, many residents are asking what this means for them. The declaration ensures that all possible resources, in accordance with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan, are provided to assist the local response to the flooding, which took place April 9 through May 3.

At this time, State and Federal officials are reviewing and verifying the damage reports submitted to them and no decisions have been made on the availability of financial assistance. Those who did not already submit damage reports can do so at miOttawa.org. In the meantime, residents should log activities, take pictures, and keep any receipts documenting the costs you have incurred during the flood clean-up. Important flooding updates will continue at miOttawa.org.

Yesterday, Governor Snyder declared a state of disaster for 19 counties and two cities to support ongoing local efforts to respond to the severe flooding that has affected parts of Michigan. Along with Grand Rapids and Ionia, the governor’s disaster declaration also covers the following counties: Baraga, Barry, Benzie, Genesee, Gogebic, Gratiot, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa and Saginaw.

Federal Emergency Management Agency will join state and local officials later this week to assess the extent of damage to homes, businesses, public facilities and infrastructure throughout the entire region. Ottawa County officials are uncertain of any plans to visit the most impacted areas of the county. The Preliminary Damage Assessment process is the initial step to assist state officials in determining whether a federal declaration should be requested.

To assist with the damage assessment process, affected residents and business owners should have information readily available about the extent of their damage, including the location of flooding in living areas and the depth of floodwaters, as well as if the damage is covered by insurance. In the event individuals are not available when teams are in their area, residents are encouraged to provide information about their damage to a neighbor or leave information at the front door.

Media Contact(s):

Beth Thomas
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Management Director
616-738-4052
bthomas@miottawa.org

Shannon Felgner
County of Ottawa
Communications Manager
616-738-4672
sfelgner@miottawa.org

May 6, 2013

No Body Contact Lifted - Deer Creek in Ottawa County

The No Body Contact Advisory issued on April 18, 2013 for Deer Creek in Ottawa County has been LIFTED. Rivers, lakes, and other tributaries at all times have microorganisms, which can cause illness. Exposure to waters with high levels of microbial contamination could cause ear, eye, nose and throat infections, gastrointestinal illness or skin rashes. It may also lead to parasitic infections. The preventative steps listed below should always be taken to prevent recreational water illnesses.

Steps to prevent recreational water illnesses:

• Do not swallow water and avoid getting water in your mouth.
  

• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating.
  

• Take children on regular bathroom breaks and be sure young children wear clean swim diapers.
  

• Do not swim when you are sick. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
  

• Do not swim in water that appears murky, smells foul or looks polluted in any way.
  

• Avoid swimming immediately after heavy rainfall.
  

• Do not feed the birds.
  

• Shower when you return home.

For additional information visit http://www.miottawa.org/Health/OCHD/cso.htm
Suggested Tweet: The No Body Contact Advisory issued by Ottawa County Public Health on April 18 for Deer Creek in Ottawa County has been LIFTED.

No Body Contact Lifted - Grand River in Ottawa County

The No Body Contact Advisory issued on April 18, 2013 for the entire length of the Grand River in Ottawa County has been LIFTED. Rivers, lakes, and other tributaries at all times have microorganisms, which can cause illness. Exposure to waters with high levels of microbial contamination could cause ear, eye, nose and throat infections, gastrointestinal illness or skin rashes. It may also lead to parasitic infections. The preventative steps listed below should always be taken to prevent recreational water illnesses.
Steps to prevent recreational water illnesses:

• Do not swallow water and avoid getting water in your mouth.
  

• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating.
  

• Take children on regular bathroom breaks and be sure young children wear clean swim diapers.
  

• Do not swim when you are sick. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
  

• Do not swim in water that appears murky, smells foul or looks polluted in any way.
  

• Avoid swimming immediately after heavy rainfall.
  

• Do not feed the birds.
  

• Shower when you return home.

For additional information visit http://www.miottawa.org/Health/OCHD/cso.htm

Suggested Tweet: The No Body Contact Advisory issued by Ottawa County Public Health on April 18 for the Grand River in Ottawa County has been LIFTED.

May 6, 2013

Don’t let bug bites ruin your outdoor fun.

Most bug bites are harmless, but some mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases. You can get serious diseases from mosquitoes, like West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and dengue (“DEN-gee”) fever. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are 2 of the serious diseases you can get from ticks. The good news is that you can take easy steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito and tick bites.

Take steps to avoid bites from mosquitoes and ticks.

• Get rid of still water around your home to keep some types of mosquitoes from laying eggs.
  

• Cut back brush and tall grasses and get rid of fallen leaves to keep ticks away.
  

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
  

• Use bug repellent on skin and clothing.
  

• Check everyone for ticks after spending time outside.
  

• Take a shower after going inside to help get ticks off of you.
  

• Use a tick collar or other repellent product on your pets. Remember to check your pets for ticks.

Lyme Disease Prevention

West Nile Disease Prevention

Ottawa County Public Health Department

Source: http://www.healthfinder.gov and disease maps at http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov

Suggested Tweet: Don’t let bug bites ruin your outdoor fun! Prevent Lyme and West Nile diseases http://ow.ly/kKZxO

Media Contact(s):

Kristina Wieghmink, M.Ed.
Ottawa County Public Health Communications
Office: (616) 494-5597
kwieghmink@miottawa.org

Freedom of Information Act Requests

All requests made under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the act. Requests for public information should be made to the department which is responsible for the custody of the records.

Main Office

EXPLORE OTTAWA COUNTY