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floating germs in masks representing communicable diseases

Communicable Disease Surveillance

PCHD Web Admin

What are Communicable Diseases?

Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases or transmissible diseases, are illnesses that result from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic (capable of causing disease) biologic agents in an individual human or other animal hosts.

Surveillance of these diseases:

Our agency monitors and analyzes data that includes – but is not limited to – demographic, geographic, and disease/condition-specific information. Accurate identification and timely reporting are integral parts of successful disease control which helps enable us to

  • identify contacts who may be infected or other individuals at risk for infection,
  • determine the incidence and prevalence of disease in a specific area of the state,
  • assist physicians and hospitals in evaluating illnesses in their patients and communities, and
  • assist the public in making better decisions regarding their health and lifestyle.

Successful communicable disease surveillance enhances control efforts, such as developing prevention/intervention strategies and policies and responding to events involving potential exposure to communicable disease.  Our goal is to maintain this surveillance system for communicable, zoonotic, and environmentally induced health threats and to disseminate this information rapidly to the citizens of Pike County.

Learn more about Communicable Diseases by clicking here

❤️ February is National Heart Month — Get Your $20 Cardiac & Stroke Risk Assessment!

PCHD Web Admin

This February, the Pike County Health Department Home Health & Hospice is proud to support National Heart Month by offering Cardiac & Stroke Risk Assessments for only $20 throughout the entire month.

Heart disease and stroke remain leading health concerns nationwide, and early detection is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health. Our screenings are quick, affordable, and available Monday through Friday all month long.

💓 What’s Included in Your Assessment?

Our Public Health Nursing team provides a comprehensive set of screenings designed to evaluate your heart health and identify potential risk factors. Your $20 assessment includes:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Blood Pressure Screening
  • Cholesterol Screening (fasting required)
  • Blood Sugar Screening (fasting required)

Once complete, you’ll receive your results in less than five minutes, along with personalized recommendations from our nursing staff to help support your heart health.

🗓️ When & Where

Available Daily Through February 2026
Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00am–12:00pm & 1:00pm–4:00pm

📞 Appointments are encouraged to ensure prompt service.

⚠️ Please remember to fast before coming in for cholesterol and blood sugar screenings.

❤️ Take Charge of Your Heart Health This Month

National Heart Month is the perfect time to check in on your health. Whether you’re staying proactive or monitoring existing conditions, our Cardiac & Stroke Risk Assessments give you valuable insights at an affordable price.

Give us a call today at 573-324-2111 or use our patient portal to schedule your appointment!

Empowering Pike County Through Free Health Education Presentations

PCHD Web Admin

It’s a new year, and a great time to work towards a healthier you, and we can help! At Pike County Health Department, we believe that knowledge is the foundation of a healthier community. That’s why we offer FREE health education presentations designed to inform, inspire, and empower individuals of all ages. Whether you’re a school, workplace, or community organization, our team is ready to bring valuable health information directly to you.

Why Schedule a Health Education Presentation?
Preventing disease and promoting wellness starts with education. Our presentations help:

  • Prevent illness and injury
  • Improve overall health
  • Enhance quality of life for individuals and families

When your group understands the “why” behind healthy habits, it’s easier to make positive changes that last.

Flexible Options for Your Convenience

Host your event in our spacious Community Conference Room
Or let our staff travel to your location by appointment
All programs are completely free of charge for our community.

Topics We Cover
Our health education programs are tailored to your audience and can include:

  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Food Safety
  • Injury & Violence Prevention
  • Pregnancy & Childcare
  • Oral Health & Hand Hygiene
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Physical Activity & Obesity Prevention
  • Workplace Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Nutrition, Heart Health & Diabetes
  • Worksite Wellness

Ready to Make a Difference?
Scheduling is easy! Contact us today to book your free health education presentation and help us build a healthier Pike County—one conversation at a time.

📞 Call us at 573-324-2111
📧 Email us here

Missouri health officials urge flu prevention amid seasonal uptick

PCHD Web Admin
For Immediate Release:
Dec. 31, 2025Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Missouri health officials urge flu prevention amid seasonal uptick

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reports a significant increase in influenza activity across the state as the 2025–2026 flu season progresses. As shown on the Missouri Influenza Surveillance Dashboard, DHSS has recorded 9,255 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and 558 flu-related hospitalizations statewide. 

Flu activity in Missouri typically begins in October and peaks during the winter months. This season, emergency department visits for influenza-like illness and positive lab tests have climbed above baseline levels in the first week of December, prompting health officials to remind residents of the importance of preventive measures. 

“Flu is more than just a seasonal inconvenience—it can lead to serious health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations,” said Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist. “Influenza vaccination and simple preventive steps are key to keeping Missouri families healthy this winter.” 

The best defense against influenza is annual vaccination. DHSS recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive a flu shot as soon as possible. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications, especially for high-risk groups such as seniors, young children and individuals with chronic health conditions. 

Additional steps to protect yourself and others include: 

  • Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  • Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow, not your hands. 
  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals: If you are ill, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides. 
  • Limit face-touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to reduce self-inoculation and the spread of germs. 
  • Clean surfaces: To reduce influenza risk, consistently clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces which could be contaminated with flu viruses. 

Weekly updates on flu activity, including county-level data and trends, are available on the Missouri Influenza Dashboard. 

For more information on flu prevention and where to get vaccinated, visit health.mo.gov. 

Pike County News highlights Pike County Hospice Program

PCHD Web Admin

December 6, 2025 / Pike County News / By Stan Schwartz

It’s a conversation that needs to happen

“Quality over quantity is kind of our general term here,” said Tracy Brookshier, marketing manager for the Pike County Health Department Home Health and Hospice. She said she knows that for some it’s a difficult topic to broach, but it needs to be done.

“We want people to be comfortable with it. We want people to ask questions. It’s not always a bad thing. I think the end of life deserves as much beauty and dignity as it can get. And I really believe that wholeheartedly,” Millinder added.

Brookshier asked Kelsey Millinder to speak on this topic during last week’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce meeting.

PCHD is non-profit through its foundation, and the foundation is made up of volunteers who are from the community.

“That foundation helps us go above and beyond what our staff already does,” she said. “Things as small as getting a case of soda, because so-and-so likes Sundrop.”

Because PCHD is a small, local agency it can help the people in the community, she noted. The board is behind their hospice program 100%, she added.

“We have several different disciplines that make up the care we provide,” Millinder said. “We have nurses and aides, of course, that come to home visits or facility visits, wherever the need is. We have a chaplain—Cole Bransteter is our chaplain of hospice. He’s full-time at Church of the Nazarene. Danny, she is our social worker, and then we have volunteers. We’re always looking for volunteers.

“If you know anyone who would like to come onto your campus, especially, you know, that they have a place in their heart for hospice and in-flight care. And it’s as simple as going and sitting for 15 minutes. Some of the nursing home residents really enjoy just having somebody just stop and visit, check in on them, bring their Sundrop, and bring their chips, that kind of thing. You get to kind of be the nonsense visitor. Everybody else is there for business, and you just get to come visit and shoot the breeze and get to know them.”

“And there’s no dedicated amount of time that you have to do,” Brookshier added. “You can sign up to be a hospice volunteer and do two hours a year or something if you really wanted to. It’s kind of based around you and then what the family needs.”

Pike County Hospice is one of only four county-based hospice programs in the state of Missouri. It’s governed by people of the county, elected individuals.

Bowling Green Mayor Jim Arico thanked Bookshier and Millinder for the hospice service they provide.

“You all took care of my dad in the last stages of his life. It was really a blessing to us. You rescued us from the 24-hour situations that we had at the end. It was a day-by-day situation, and it was just really a blessing to us to overcome the horrifying, more than horrifying, residency,” he said.

“Unfortunately, most of us have needed it, professionally and personally,” Brookshier added.

They offer (end-of-life planning) workshops and information packets on what hospice is, who qualifies, etc. that can be picked up at our office at any time free of charge.

…

Kelsey Millinder, RN BSN was recently promoted to Home Health & Hospice Director. Previously, Carolyn Orf, RN was in this position until her promotion into Agency Administrator after Rhonda Stumbaugh’s retirement.

Stay protected this respiratory illness season

PCHD Web Admin

For Immediate Release
Nov. 21, 2024

Stay protected this respiratory illness season
It’s not too late to vaccinate

 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO —Respiratory illness season has begun, and state and local health officials encourage everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones from respiratory viruses and diseases circulating this winter, including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and pertussis (whooping cough). Vaccination remains a key tool to prevent illness, reduce severe symptoms and protect Missouri communities.

Each of these illnesses can spread quickly and have the ability to lead to serious illness, especially among those who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions or among young children and older adults. Vaccination, along with everyday preventive measures, offers strong protection against these viruses and diseases.

 

Influenza (Flu)

The flu vaccine can lower the risk of serious flu complications and hospitalizations. This year’s flu shot targets the strains predicted to circulate most widely. Since the flu season typically peaks in winter months, it’s still beneficial to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection and transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone age 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 influenza vaccine.

 

“There are also concerning overlapping dangers of the risk of flu with our high burden of chronic disease in Missouri,” said Dr. Heidi Miller, chief medical officer with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). “Heart disease remains the number one cause of death among Missourians, and 9 of 10 adults hospitalized for flu have preexisting heart disease or other chronic conditions. The risk of heart attack is 6-fold higher during the one week after influenza is diagnosed.”

 

Missouri’s interactive flu dashboard is updated weekly with statewide and county-level flu data.

View photos of Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson receiving their annual flu shots earlier this month.

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV, a common virus that can cause severe respiratory infections in infants and older adults, is also preventable. RSV vaccines are now available both for older adults and for pregnant women to protect newborns. Immunizations are also available for infants at high risk.

 

Pharmacists cannot provide RSV vaccines without a health care provider’s prescription.

COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a concern as new variants emerge. COVID-19 vaccines and updated boosters provide protection against severe illness and hospitalization.

 

  • This season’s updated vaccine is available without a prescription and recommended by the CDC for everyone age 6 months and up and especially for high-risk individuals.
  • In addition, the CDC recommends a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised 6 months after their first dose.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services renewed its COVID-19 test program, allowing people to order four free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per family.  These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2024. People can also find instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates for any tests they may already have. To request a free COVID-19 test, visit COVIDtests.gov.

 

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Though not a virus, pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria that can be especially dangerous for young children. The Tdap vaccine, recommended for adults and adolescents, protects against pertussis, as well as tetanus and diphtheria. Infants and young children should follow the recommended DTaP vaccine schedule, and expectant mothers should receive Tdap in the third trimester to protect their newborns.

 

Whooping cough cases have been on the rise already in 2024 throughout the country. Missouri is currently experiencing a severalfold increase in the rate of cases statewide. The rate of Missouri kindergartners vaccinated with DTap has steadily dropped 4% from the 2019-2020 school year to the 2023-2024 school year.

 

A person with whooping cough is contagious for up to 21 days after the onset of a cough if they do not take antibiotics. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious.

Some people should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick if they have been around someone with whooping cough. This should be discussed with the individual’s health care provider.

Other ways to prevent respiratory illnesses 

Everyone can take simple, effective steps to reduce the spread of these respiratory illnesses by washing hands frequently with soap and water, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, getting plenty of regular sleep, and staying home when sick to prevent spreading illness to others.

 

Vaccines are available at most local public health agencies, pharmacies and health care providers; however, pharmacists cannot provide RSV vaccines without a health care provider’s prescription. Additionally, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides free vaccines through providers to children who qualify. Learn more and find a VFC provider at this link.

 

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Womens Wellness Day! October 3rd

PCHD Web Admin

Join us in our south parking lot on Thursday, October 3rd from 9am-2pm for a Women’s Wellness Day! Siteman will have their mobile Mammogram unit on site for free mammograms for women over 40. Only 17 spots available so please RSVP below. These with reserved appointments will also receive a FREE cardiac risk assessment from our agency. In addition, we will have other informational booths set up with giveaways and more!

 

To RSVP Please call MARY at 573-324-2111 ext. 133 or email her at mhopke@pikecountyhealth.org!

 

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Water Safety Month Giveaway!

PCHD Web Admin

Download this flyer>>>

May is National Water Safety Month! We will be sharing educational resources on social media, in our office and resources are linked at the bottom of this blog post!

We have put together a Water FUN Bundle that one lucky person who completes our survey will WIN! We will draw on Monday, May 20th and it must be picked up by Friday, May 25th or we will draw a new winner.

So, what’s in the bundle?.. ALL OF THIS!  >>

  • Floaties and Beach ball
  • 4 pair water goggles
  • 4 bug repellent wrist bands
  • 2 pair childrens sunglasses
  • 2 diving rings
  • 2 beach towels
  • 1 funoodle
  • Sun decoration
  • Reusable water balls
  • Sunscreen
  • Small insulated tote
  • Large beach bag tote
  • Paw Patrol beach toys
  • Clifford book about safe swimming
  • 2 water bottles and 1 insulated cup
  • 1 life jacket (size TBD by winner)
  • Swim Lesson Gift Certificate donated by and to Twin Pike Family YMCA

 

TAKE THE SURVEY:

[forminator_form id=”14436″]

 

Here are some links to some valuable resources about water safety: 

https://www.safekids.org/watersafety

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/safety/water-safety.htm

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html

10 Open Water Safety Tips

 

Rate of national measles cases highlights importance of vaccination

PCHD Web Admin

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2024

Media Contact:

Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

 

Rate of national measles cases highlights importance of vaccination

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – As vaccine uptake continues to decrease, measles cases or outbreaks have emerged in several states, including Missouri earlier this year. Nationally, the total number of measles cases has already reached the level that occurred during the entire year of 2023. With cases reported across the country, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) recommends parents and guardians check their child’s vaccination records to make sure they have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This vaccine has been used in the United States since the 1970s and is a safe and effective way to protect children from measles. To be fully immunized, children are recommended to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose between ages 12-15 months and the second dose between ages 4-6 years old. Infants as young as 6 months can receive the first dose if traveling to areas where the measles infection rate is high. Families should consult their health care provider to discuss appropriate vaccine options for their children.

Herd immunity, achieved through a measles vaccination rate of 95% or more is crucial for preventing disease outbreaks in the community and protecting vulnerable populations who cannot receive vaccines.

 

“Achieving this level of vaccination creates a barrier that limits the spread of infectious disease within a community, safeguarding those who are unable to be vaccinated due to their age or compromised immune systems,” said Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with DHSS.

Statewide, the MMR vaccination rate among kindergarteners has dropped steadily from 95.4% in the 2016-2017 school year to 90.5% at the start of the 2023-2024 school year, according to preliminary data reported by Missouri school districts. Religious (non-medical) exemptions have simultaneously increased from 1.9% to 3.5%.

 

The measles vaccine, given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, is extremely effective, giving those vaccinated with just one dose 93% protection against measles infection. Both doses of the vaccine provide individuals with a 97% protection rate throughout their lifetime.

 

Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease, especially serious for children under age five and those who are immunocompromised. Common symptoms include a rash that starts as flat red spots on the head and spreads to other parts of the body, high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and tiny white spots inside the mouth. But in some instances, individuals with measles will develop brain infection, which can lead to brain damage, and for some the disease is fatal even with the best care.

 

The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing and can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area. A person can spread measles without knowing they are infected. If not treated, complications can grow in severity.

Most health insurance plans cover vaccines, but individuals should check with their insurance provider to verify coverage. For those without insurance, the Vaccines for Children Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides free vaccines to children who qualify.

 

Additionally, most local public health agencies throughout the state of Missouri offer vaccinations at affordable rates. To find a local public health agency near you and schedule an appointment, visit the Local Public Health Agency Directory.

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FREE Car Seat Safety Checks! Thursday, April 4th

PCHD Web Admin

No appointment is needed for this FREE event! Join us on Thursday, April 4th from 2-5pm in our south parking lot. Our Certified Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians will educate you on the best ways to keep your child safe in the car by using the right car seat in the right way. Our team will be checking for proper installation and usage of your infant and child car seats, and it is preferred that your children be present, so they can ensure proper fitting AND the kiddos can learn too!

Can’t make it? No problem, just call and make an appointment with us! Learn more from our website here >>>

Here are some car seat safety tips to protect your most precious cargo:

  • Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States.
  • Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
  • More than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly.
  • Click here to learn more>>>

 

download the flyer >>>

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