Environmental Health
Sanitarian Program
In conducting food safety inspections - EH staff found the majority of restaurants (55.54%) and retail stores (71.13%) to have good practices (general sanitation of floors, walls and ceilings, labeling, water source, pests and animals, food protections). Violations are risk factors set by the CDC and are responsible for the majority of foodborne illness.
- unsafe sources
- inadequate cooking
- improper hold
- cross contamination
- personal hygiene
- other (certified food manager required, consumer advisory, chemical, etc.)
WCHD provides licensing and inspection for a variety of establishments including restaurants, retail food establishments, lodging, campgrounds, swimming pools, mobile home parks, body art facilities and recreational/ educational camps. The goal of the program is to prevent communicable diseases and foodborne illnesses from affecting County residents and visitors.
<--- A snapshot of staff during inspections at the EAA grounds. Over 290 food inspections were conducted at Winnebago County events in 2018.
Food Safety
The majority of our sanitarian inspections are related to food (840/990 =85%).
The remaining 150 inspections vary as depicted by the bar graph below.
Most violations are minor and can be rectified for a re-inspection. The staff work with restaurant owners and staff to educate and implement best practices.
Radon Testing & Awareness
In 2018, 111 kits were sold more than double the previous year (2017 = 54 kits). Test results (percentages) were very comparable year to year.
WCHD promotes radon testing yearly by discounting radon test kits during Radon Awareness Month (January). Data gathered over the past decade shows that Winnebago Cty has higher than average levels of radon in relation to bedrock and housing factors. Through media exposure, online platforms and posters, WCHD encourages residents to test their home. As more results are compiled it will help state and national efforts to track radon levels and respond appropriately. Learn more about radon on our website.
Reportable Investigations
Carbon Monoxide: New Reporting in 2018
EH staff conducts a follow up interview and education on all results greater than 5% in blood. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning results in approximately 400 emergency department visits and 50 hospitalizations in Wisconsin annually. Electronic submission of laboratory CO testing data began in July 1, 2018 and populates a new module within the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS). Local public health agencies (LPHAs) will perform case follow-back to gain information about the nature and cause of CO exposures, which will inform public health outreach and prevention efforts.
11 CO exposures were reported from 7/1/18 to 12/31/18
Lead Investigations
Animal Bite Investigations
WCHD staff works cooperatively with local law enforcement, veterinarians and state officials to ensure that all potential human cases of rabies are investigated. In consult with the local physicians and veterinarians, WCHD staff provide guidance on the treatment of persons and animals that may have been exposed to rabies or other animal-related exposures.
Total number of reports were down, in 2018 (260) from 2017 (279). The "other" category of this graph was one of each the following: cow, horse, rat & squirrel.
Learn more about about symptoms, risk factors and response actions for rabies.
Water Quality
Blue-green algae (BGA)
BGA (cyanobacteria) and cyanotoxin poisoning became a reportable condition in Wisconsin on July 1, 2018. Prior to July 1, we received BGA related illness complaints voluntarily from citizens, local health departments, physicians and veterinarians, and the Wisconsin Poison Center. Now, all human illness complaints, no matter where they originate, must be reported to public health departments for investigation. No reports of BGA illness were received from 7/1/18 to 12/31/18.
Transient Non Community Water
Locations serving water to at least 25 persons for 6 or more months of the year. This is often churches, community halls, bars and other
7.5% (9 of the 120 tested) had unsafe levels requiring remediation.
Media Education
Click the image to visit that publication!
