Promote Health. Protect Life. Prevent Illness.
1142 S. Van Dyke Rd.
Bad Axe, MI 48413
Phone: 989-269-9721
Program Overview
The philosophy of the Huron County Health Department Communicable Disease Program is to reduce the incidence of communicable disease and infections through investigation, data collection, entry and analysis, case management, education, treatment or referral for care, feedback to providers, reporting of illnesses, enforcement of laws, and prevention.
Services Available
Our public health system in Huron County depends on reports of diseases to help monitor the health of our community and to help with the framework for preventative action.
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Provide education to clients, health care providers, and the public regarding the spread and control of communicable diseases/infections.
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Promote health by way of education and preventive treatment.
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Provide for collection and transport of specimens for diagnosis, when appropriate.
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In the event of certain communicable diseases or infections, we investigate, follow-up and report as required by Michigan law.
Community Awareness Corner
Increase in Pertussis Cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is calling attention to an increase in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, and urging individuals to get up to date with vaccinations. Case numbers across the state surpassed last year’s reports and are coinciding with a return to pre-pandemic patterns of more cases per year nationally.
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Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of pertussis each year. There have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.
Early symptoms of pertussis can look like a common cold. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing (called apnea), which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.
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Pertussis is common in the United States. The acute infectious disease can cause serious illness in people of all ages, is more likely to be severe and possibly deadly for infants. The median age of pertussis cases in 2024 is 13 years and 75% of these cases have been in people under the age of 18.
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“Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.”
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. CDC also recommends a dose of pertussis vaccine for adults who haven’t received a dose as an adolescent or adult.
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Michigan is continuing to see declining childhood immunization rates, meaning more infants and children are at risk for severe pertussis illnesses. In Michigan, 82.9% of children have received their first dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine by the time they are three months old. However, only 65.6% of 19-month-olds received all four recommended doses of DTap.
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For more information on pertussis, visit the CDC’s website and follow the CDC for information on pertussis cases and outbreaks or Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan.
Tick Talk!
Ticks & Lyme Disease
In the United States, Lyme Disease occurs most commonly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions. Lyme disease bacteria are spread to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with FDA-cleared tests. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.
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Best way to prevent Lyme Disease is to prevent tick bites. This will reduce your risk of other tickborne diseases as well.
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What to do after a tick bite
Remove attached ticks as soon as possible. Depending on the type of tick and how long it was attached, antibiotic prophylaxis might help prevent Lyme Disease. Call your doctor if you develop fever, rash, or other symptoms.
Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza
HPAI is a highly contagious virus in birds and poultry that can be spread directly by infected wild birds or animals or indirectly through any item that has been exposed to the virus, such as equipment, feed, or the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The virus has been detected in various species of mammals, including Michigan dairy cattle.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to work with state and federal partners, veterinarians, Michigan State University Extension, MSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and industry stakeholders to provide information to poultry farmers and backyard flock owners about the current disease situation, importance of following (and even increasing) their biosecurity measures, and what signs to look for in their birds.
MDARD continues to take swift action in response to this disease and is closely monitoring and responding to reports of sick domestic birds and HPAI throughout the state.
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