Cook County Department of Public Health Reports to Cook County Board

Cook County Board Of Commissioners
Health & Hospitals Committee Meeting
January 14, 2025

Dr. Kirin Joshi, newly appointment Interim Chief Operating Officer for the CC Public Health Department, received a very warm welcome.  He started with a presentation highlighting: 

• Covid activity low.  Flu and RSV activity high.  ICU admissions are highest for Flu. Covid 19 admissions continue, primarily in adults over 65.
• Wastewater detections for RSV and Flu are increasing.  Same for Covid-19 but less dramatically.
• Fall 2024 study of patients at VA hospital examined almost 45,000 COVID -19 infections, and analyzed if the case received the fall 2024 vaccine. It found that the vaccine reduced hospitalizations by 65%, Emergency room and urgent care visits by 57%, and outpatient visits by 56%.
• Cook County Health is rotating vaccination clinic hours at its 13 locations.  Vaccinations are for Covid and Flu but not RSV.  Locations and hours are promoted on its website.
• M-Pox infections in Suburban Cook County.  There have been no new infections for 3 months and residents continue to be vaccinated.  As of January, there were 155 total cases, 17 hospitalizations, I death, and 3,889 residents vaccinated.  In Chicago, 1,332 new cases, 83 hospitalizations, and 4 deaths.
• H-5 Avian Influenza A (Bird Flu).  First human death reported in January 25.  The person had underlying medical conditions and contact with sick/dead wild birds.  67 cases confirmed in humans in the US since March 2024 with no human-to-human transmission.  Risk continues to be low.  Recommendation is to clean shoes, tools, equipment; a bird feeder is OK.
• Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates.  Cancer is not a communicable disease, but a primary cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus via sexual contact.  Vaccination against HPV is very effective.

​Commissioner Questions: 

• Commissioner Quezada asked if Joshi had an update on the status of combining Covid 19 and the Flu vaccines.  Answer:  No Update.  Also asked if an individual could tell the difference between Flu and the RSV virus symptoms.  Answer:  No.
• Commissioner Stamps asked about new migrants getting screened and vaccination.  Ans:  Yes, at Belmont Cragin location on W. Fullerton.
• Commissioner Anaya asked about the risk of consuming chicken with bird flu.  Ans:  If medically vulnerable, don’t consume meat or eggs.
• Commissioner McCaskill wants to bring the clinics to the people [mobile clinics] and perhaps pair with the Park District.  Ans:  Good idea.
• Chairperson Lowry announced that starting now, the County’s Birthday Health Screening for Breast and Prostate screening goes into effect.  Call before your birthday month to schedule 312-864-4289. If no insurance, can still receive.  Ages start at 40 for women for mammogram and 45 for men for prostate screening..

Observer:  Diane Edmundson