Infectious Diseases
Countryside Public Health is committed to protecting the health of the citizens of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties through our infectious disease prevention programs.
Our staff work to educate and inform our communities about diseases, prevention of diseases, and immunizations that protect us from them. Our staff work closely with the Minnesota Department of Health as well as our local healthcare providers to monitor diseases and promote healthy citizens and communities.
Protection from Germs:
Hand Washing is the most important means of preventing the spread of infection and disease! Hands are the part of the body that is most commonly exposed to germs. Touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth) transfers the germs from your hands into your body. Proper hand hygience is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from germs and infectious disease! For helpful information about handwashing visit the Minnesota Department of Health at https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/handhygiene/index.html
Cover your Cough - respitory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread through close contact to infected people who are coughing, sneezing and touching items that may have been exposed to germs.
Protect yourself and others from Infectious Diseases:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in a waste basket.
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow/sleeve.
- After coughing or sneezing, always clean your hands with soap & water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when you are sick!!
- Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items with other people.
For more information on common infectious respiratory diseases, visit: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/respiratory/index.html
For more information on COVID-19, click on the COVID-19 notice on the top of our website or visit the Minnesota Department of Health at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html