Current News

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD) is pleased to announce that a Tai Chi class series is set to begin in Norfolk during September. Tai Chi classes are a great way for seniors to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

The class series will take place on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9am to 10am beginning Wednesday, September 27 at the Grace Community Church (321 W. Norfolk Ave.) and will last for 10 weeks. Renee Otto-Berglund will be the instructor. There is no set cost for the class and free will donation will accepted.

Tai Chi puts minimal stress on joints, is generally safe for people of all ages, and is very beneficial for those sixty years of age or older. Outcomes from past classes show that 85% of the participants improved their Timed Up and Go (TUG) mobility and fall risk test score from the first to the final class.

Registration is required by calling 402-529-2233, 402-841-8351 or by emailing melissa@elvphd.org or renee@newleafcounselingservice.com. For more information about Tai Chi, please visit ELVPHD’s website at www.elvphd.org

{West Point}- Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, along with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, is continuing to investigate an outbreak of salmonella in West Point. Gina Uhing, Health Director for Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department reports that: “to date, there have been 22 confirmed cases and 6 probable cases.”

“All of the interviews that have been conducted with confirmed cases continue to show that dining at Red Door Coffee was a common factor,” Uhing said. “For that reason, a survey of restaurant patrons was initiated to help determine possible causes and sources of the illness.” Red Door Coffee owners and staff have been extremely cooperative and helpful throughout this process and all parties are focused on resolving this issue.

Anyone who ate at Red Door Coffee between July 14 - July 29 is asked to complete a brief survey that will help ELVPHD and DHHS in this process. The survey may be found at:  https://han.ne.gov/survey/rdc or by visiting the ELVPHD website at www.elvphd.org.

{West Point}- Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services continue to investigate an outbreak of salmonella in West Point. To date, there have been 20 confirmed cases and 8 probable cases. ELVPHD and DHHS are working to identify the source of the outbreak and make sure the risk is eliminated.

Salmonella is caused by a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. It is usually spread to humans by eating contaminated food, including beef, poultry, milk, eggs, fruits or vegetables.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days. Most people recover without treatment. However, in some cases the diarrhea may be so severe that a person needs to be hospitalized. People at highest risk for salmonella infection include: children under 5 years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with salmonella should contact their doctor for recommendations on testing and treatment.

Local health department officials and DHHS are conducting interviews with Nebraskans who contracted the illness. So far, all confirmed cases have one common factor which is dining at Red Door Coffee in West Point. Red Door Coffee owners and staff are fully cooperating with the investigation.

As part of their public health responsibilities, ELVPHD and DHHS are gathering information to help further the investigation.

Anyone who ate at Red Door Coffee July 14 - July 29 is asked to complete a brief survey that will help ELVPHD and DHHS in this investigation. The survey may be found at:  https://han.ne.gov/survey/rdc. Thorough cooking kills salmonella and thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water for 60 seconds before handling or eating food and after using the bathroom is always recommended.

ELVPHD will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department is pleased to announce that two Tai Chi classes are set to begin in Norfolk during August. Tai Chi classes are a great way for seniors to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

The first class series will take place on Mondays & Wednesdays from 4pm to 5pm beginning August 21^st at the Norfolk Senior Center and will last for 12 weeks. The second class series will take place on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am to 10am beginning August 22^nd at the Norfolk First United Methodist Church and will last for 12 weeks. Mary Wakeley will be the instructor for each of the classes.

Tai Chi puts minimal stress on joints, is generally safe for people of all ages, and is very beneficial for those sixty years of age or older.  Outcomes from past classes show that 85% of the participants improved their Timed Up and Go (TUG) mobility and fall risk test score from the first to the final class.

Please call the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department at 402-529-2233 for more information about Tai Chi or to register to attend either of the Tai Chi classes.

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, along with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, is investigating an outbreak of salmonella in West Point. To date, there have been 15 confirmed cases and 6 probable cases. ELVPHD and DHHS are working to identify the source of the outbreak and make sure the risk is eliminated.

Salmonella is caused by a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. It is usually spread to humans by eating contaminated food, including beef, poultry, milk, eggs, or vegetables. Thorough cooking kills salmonella. Although a cause has not yet been identified, thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water for 60 seconds before handling or eating food and after using the bathroom is always recommended.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days. Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Salmonella should contact their doctor for recommendations on testing and treatment.

ELVPHD will share updates as more information becomes available.

The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department seeks a full-time nurse to work during traditional Monday-Friday office hours with occasional weekend and evenings.

Current nursing license required. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and outgoing with excellent project coordination skills. Duties include varied nursing and health education functions in the office and in the community. Bi-lingual strongly preferred. Excellent benefits package.

This position will work mostly from ELVPHD’s Norfolk office. Send resume and cover letter to ELVPHD, Attn: Office Manager, Box 779, Wisner, NE  68791 or email to: Tracy@elvphd.org. Resumes must be postmarked by August 16, 2017 to be considered.

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD), Midtown Health Center and WellCare of Nebraska is hosting “Popsicles for a Poke” immunization / vaccine event on Wednesday, 8/9/17 from 10am to 1pm at the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health / Midtown Health Center (302 W. Phillip Ave.) office.

Bring your child in for immunizations and they will receive a free popsicle and a small prize! Childhood immunizations for both privately insured (most major insurance companies accepted), Heritage Health / Medicaid, and uninsured will be provided.  The parent or guardian must be present as well as a current copy of the child’s immunization record along with the insurance or Heritage Health / Medicaid card if applicable.

For more information, please call Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health at 402-529-2233.

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department was honored with the Model Practice Award at the 2017 Annual Conference of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The award celebrates local health departments for making programs continue reading