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McHenry County Department of Health
Emergency Response Program
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Working to protect the health and safety of McHenry County Residents
by planning for and responding to public health emergencies
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Frequently Asked
Questions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Could terrorism really affect McHenry County? There is always the chance that terrorists could target McHenry County or one of the neighboring communities, including the City of Chicago. We believe it is better to have plans in place and to be prepared than to be caught unprepared. The plans we have in place to respond to an act of terrorism can also help us to respond to natural disasters. Please visit our Terrorism page for more information. How concerned should I be about bird flu? Although we do not know if avian influenza (bird flu) will be the cause of the next pandemic, you should keep informed on the situation and make sure you are prepared. Pandemics have occurred throughout history and even if the next one is not triggered by bird flu, another will happen eventually. Preparedness steps taken for a pandemic will be just as appropriate for any emergency situation. For more information, please visit the Influenza and Get Ready! pages of this website. Should I ask my doctor for a prescription of TamiFlu? Individual stockpiling of antiviral medications will not only contribute to an overall shortage of needed medication, but may also result in the misuse of the medications and reduction of the drugs’ effectiveness. Health authorities are not positive that TamiFlu will even be effective against a pandemic virus. If you are sick or have medical questions, you should seek advice from your doctor to determine what treatments are appropriate for you. Are earthquakes possible in McHenry County and Illinois? On average, there is one earthquake, large enough to be felt, somewhere in Illinois every year. Earthquakes strong enough to cause minor damage occur about every decade. Hundreds of earthquakes occur in the Midwest every year, although most of these are concentrated in the New Madrid seismic zone between Memphis and the southern border of Illinois and most are too small to be felt. I can’t hear a tornado warning signal in my house (or there isn’t one in my area). What should I do? Tornado sirens are maintained by each city or village; you should contact your municipality to find out what emergency warnings are in your community. If there is not an outdoor warning signal you should make sure you have an alternate method for obtaining important emergency warnings; some options are local radio stations (e.g. FM 105.5 or AM 1600), the weather channel or a NOAA weather radio I am a senior citizen and/or physically challenged; what provisions are being made for me, in the event of an emergency? Persons with special needs may need to rely on the assistance of others during a disaster. Planning ahead can save valuable time after an emergency strikes. We have included a special needs registry on this website; you are invited to submit your name to be entered in a confidential database. You can also contact your local fire and law enforcement agencies to see if they have similar programs. Finally, you should make arrangements with family, friends or neighbors in case emergency personnel are not available to assist you. I do not have a medical background. Is there anything that I can do to help out in an emergency? If a disaster hits, the McHenry County Medical Reserve Corps will need both medical and non-medical volunteers. Volunteers need to be pre-identified, trained and credentialed before an event happens. Everyone’s help will be critical in providing a rapid, successful response to McHenry County residents. Please see the Volunteerism page for more information. I live outside of McHenry County, but right on the border. What should I do during an emergency and will I be denied services? During an emergency, local government and relief agencies will be trying to help as many people as they can as quickly as possible. Assistance will not be dependent on verification of someone’s residency. What should I do with my pet during an emergency? Emergencies affect animals, as well as people. Animals should be included in your emergency plan since they depend on you for their safety. Remember that all shelters do not allow animals; make plans for your pet in case you have to evacuate. Please visit our Get Ready! Animals in Emergencies page for more information. Should I buy masks to avoid getting sick? Not every type of mask can prevent the transmission of diseases; moreover, a mask must fit properly in order to be effective. Mask usage is most important for medical professionals and those who are sick with coughing symptoms. It is not necessary to stockpile masks. Please visit our Good Hygiene Habits - Prevention Tips section to learn helpful suggestions for preventing the spread of germs. Have biological weapons ever been used in the United States? There have been accounts of biological weapons being employed worldwide, throughout history. In the United States, they were utilized as early as the mid-1700’s when smallpox-laden blankets were given to Native Americans. The most recent, high profile event was the Anthrax letter attacks of 2001. For more information, please visit the Terrorism page on this website. How can I get more information on emergency preparedness? We have included a great deal of readiness information on this website. Additional links can also be found under the Resources tab. If you have other questions or are interested in getting a speaker for a class or community group, please feel free to
McHenry County Online ~ MCDH Online  McHenry County Department of Health 2200 N Seminary Ave, Annex A Woodstock, Illinois 60098
Telephone (815) 334-4510
Fax (815) 338-7661
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