The intent of the Wells County Health Department is to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wells County by providing various health screening services and educational programs to the public, and by enforcing public health laws.

The Wells County Health Department strives to help prevent disease, monitor health concerns, and educate Wells County residents to live well and protect their health.

 

COVER: Cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze

CLEAN: Clean your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer

CONTAIN: Stay at home if you are sick. Do not go to work or school until you have not had a fever for 24 hours

 
 
 
S S

 

WELLS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
223 W. Washington Street
Bluffton, IN 46714

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Friday

8:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm - 4:30pm

TELEPHONE:                     Fax:
(260) 824-6489                  (260) 824-8803

The Health Department can be contacted 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with public health emergencies or concerns at:

(260) 224-4811

 

HEALTH BOARD

MEMEBERS

 

Steven Bales, DVM  (260)  694-6938

George Babcock, MD  (260)  824-0426

John Wilson, MD  (260)  824-0010

Steve Shaw   (260)  824-0002

Claire McMillan   (260) 375-2735

Jack Wenger   (260)  824-3270  

Jesse Rogers   (765) 728-5606      

 

2010 HEALTH BOARD

MEETING SCHEDULE

The Health Board meetings are held in the Multi-Purpose room in the lower level of the Annex building at 223 W. Washington Street at 6:30 AM.

  • February 18, 2010
  • April 15, 2010
  • June 17, 2010
  • August 19, 2010
  • October 21, 2010
  • December 16, 2010

 

RESOURCE LINKS

 

Indiana State Department of Health

American Association of Poison Control Centers

Consumer Product Safety Commission

National Lead Information Center

Family Centered Services

Indiana Department of Environmental Management     

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

 

 

 FLU RESOURCE LINKS

What is H1N1?

What should you do if you get sick?

H1N1 Vaccine Q & A

2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Q & A

H1N1 Situation Update

2009 H1N1 Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (Injectable)

2009 H1N1 Live, Attenuated Vaccine (Nasal Spray)

 

Printable Flyers & Brochures for seasonal flu and H1N1

Seasonal & H1N1 Flu: A Guide For Parents

H1N1 Flu & You

Take 3 Steps to Fight the Flu

Cover Your Cough

Three C's to Fight the Flu

H1N1: A Guide for Community & Faith-Based Organizations

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

H1N1 UPDATES AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

 

The Wells County Health Department has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine for children 3 through 18 years of age.  Please call for an appointment.

H1N1 flu is still circulating.  Those who have been sick with a flu-like illness should still receive H1N1 vaccine unless a RT-PCR test confirmed that they had H1N1 flu virus.  Health officials expect another wave of H1N1 to hit over the winter.  It is important to get vaccinated before holiday travel!

Remember that children under 10 need a second dose of H1N1 vaccine.  Now is also a great time for college students home for winter break to get their H1N1 vaccine!

H1N1 Clinics:

Appointments can be made to recieve the H1N1 vaccine here at the Health Department.  Please call to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome when nurses are available.

Flu mist is not available at this time.

*Open to general public, all ages*

Vaccine is FREE of charge

 

 

The Wells County Health Department no longer has seasonal flu shots for adults.  

Important information for parents regarding the H1N1 vaccine:

  • Children under 10 years old are recommended to have a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.  It is the parent's responsibility to know when the child received the initial vaccine and when they are due for the next dose.
  • There MUST be a minimum of 4 weeks between any live virus vaccines.  These include: seasonal flu mist, H1N1 flu mist, chicken pox, and MMR. 
  • The H1N1 mist or injection may be received at the same time as a seasonal flu shot, as the seasonal flu shot is an inactivated/killed virus.  
  • The H1N1 flu mist vaccine is the PREFERED vaccination method for HEALTHY children over 2 years of age.

Thanks to New Hope Lutheran Church, Southern Wells Middle School, Bluffton High School, Norwell High School, and Lancaster Elementary School for their hospitality and hosting H1N1 clinics!

 

Is the H1N1 vaccine "new" or experimental?

The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines are being produced by the same companies using the same procedures used to produce seasonal flu vaccines.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccines are exactly the same as seasonal influenza vaccines exept for the strain of influenza virus they contain.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not a "new" vaccine, but rather is a change in the strains (just as done in preparing new vaccine for each influenza season).  Each year, experts look at the strains that are likely to be circulating during the next influenza season, and put those into the upcoming year's influenza vaccine.  That's exactly what has been done in this case. 

Most of the seasonal influenza vaccines distributed over the last decade have included H1N1-like strains.  If the timing had been better, it is possible that the 2009 H1N1 strain could have been included in the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine.

 

Should the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine be given to someone who had an influenza-like illness between April and now?

If an influenza-like illness was confirmed as H1N1 by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), then vaccination with H1N1 monovalent vaccine is not necessary for the 2009-2010 season. If the influenza-like illness was not confirmed by RT-PCR, then the person should be vaccinated if indicated. There is no harm in vaccinating a person who had 2009 H1N1 influenza in the past.

Could I have H1N1(swine flu)?

Use the H1N1 Flu Self-Assessment, based on material from Emory University, to:

  • Learn whether you have the symptoms of H1N1 flu (swine flu)
  • Help you decide what to do next

H1N1 Response Center Self Assessment:

http://www.h1n1responsecenter.com

 

INshape Indiana

Join INshape Indiana, and challenge yourself to improve your health!  INshape Indiana provides access to nutritional information, physical activity resources, tracking sheets to record your progress, and much more. 

This program also allows you to ask INshape Indiana fitness trainers and nutritionists specific questions that you may have about your health.

To join, or for more information, please visit http://www.in.gov/inshape/index.htm

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

 

Vital Records

The Vital Records division is charged with the registration, maintenance and issuance of birth and death records for Wells County. This office provides certified copies of birth and death records for events occurring in Wells County from 1883 to present.

 

Public Health Nursing

The Public Health Nursing Division provides many services to the public, including immunizations for children and adults, travel immunizations, TB testing, lead testing for children, pregnancy testing, head lice information and treatment,

and blood pressure screenings.

 

Septic Division

The Septic Division is responsible for licensing and inspecting residential and commercial on-site sewage disposal systems, investigating illegal discharges of sewage, and plan review of new on-site septic systems.

 

Food Division

The Food Division is responsible for licensing and inspecting Wells County retail food establishments and bed & breakfast establishments, conducting foodborne illness investigations, and responding to food related consumer complaints.

 

Environmental Health

Staff comprising the Environmental Health Division enforce state and local public health laws regarding environmental issues, including trash/garbage, rodents/vector control,and any other environmental conditions that may generate, promote or transmit disease.

 

Public Health Preparedness

The Public Health Coordinator works closely with federal, state and local agencies to develop plans for emergency response to both natural and man-made disasters, enabling the County to be prepared for mass events that may affect public health.

 

Jeremy Wilson, DO
Health Officer




Marlene Hoag
Vital Records Registrar
Deputy Administrator




Darlene Gerdom, RN
Public Health Nurse

Supervisor




Marcia Surine, RN
Public Health Nurse Coordinator




Heath Butz
Environmental Health

Specialist




Jennifer Coleman
Environmental Health

Specialist




Peg Erpelding
Clerical Assistant

Kathy Feher

H1N1 Clerical Assistant


 
 

Biography
Jeremy Wilson, DO

Dr. Wilson began his duties as Health Officer in November 2007.  He holds a Bachelor Science degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Dr. Wilson is currently a surgeon/endoscopist at Markle Medical Center in Bluffton.

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