Warm weather is here, and in Winnebago County, Wisconsin that means it's time for water recreation! Winnebago County Public Health partners with University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's ERIC Lab to test the water quality at beaches and boat launches on Lake Winnebago, Lake Butte des Mortes, and Lake Poygan on a weekly basis. Watch for advisories and closures this summer on our website and Facebook page.

What to know:

There are two water hazards to watch for:

• E. coli is a bacteria that can sometimes be present in the water, even though it cannot be seen with the naked eye. It occurs naturally in the environment, often due to wildlife feces. Our team tests for E. coli each week to help monitor water quality. To stay healthy, please avoid entering the water whenever advisories or closures are in place.
• Algae Blooms are visible to the eye, and can sicken people and animals who swim in contaminated water. They often smell bad, and look like spilled paint or pea soup. Blooms can appear overnight and can vary in size and color. When in doubt: stay out!

View Beach Closings and Advisories Across the state on this interactive map from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

It's WIC Farmers Market season! 🌽🍓

Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits are back! That means extra support to help you buy fresh, local foods at your farmers market, and it also brings more customers to our local farmers! That's a Win-Win for everyone!

Have questions? Reach out to us. We’re here to help!

Oshkosh WIC Office: (920) 232-3350

Neenah WIC Office: (920) 729-2945

National HIV Testing Day: June 27th

Knowing your HIV status is an act of self-love and the pathway to staying healthy through care, treatment, or prevention tools like PrEP.

Winnebago County Public Health provides HIV testing with a scheduled appointment. HIV testing is anonymous/confidential and results are ready in 20 minutes. (A $15 donation is requested, but not required.) Call us at 920-232-3000 to schedule your appointment

Learn More: Everything You Need To Know About HIV Testing From Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Men die an average five years earlier than women - often from preventable causes. Closing the Lifespan Gender Gap starts with education, connection, and shared advocacy. When men and their care partners have access to the right information and support, preventive care can happen earlier and outcomes may improve. Men’s Health Month is a reminder that better lifespans are built together.

We invite you to share this message to start conversations around health:

• Check out this list of Things to Do from the Men's Health Month organization.
• Put up a poster or flyer in your place of work to help spread the message.
• Take a look at these free e-books from Blueprint For Men's Health for inspiration and information.

Walk With A Housing Authority Nurse

Winnebago County Public Health has two nurses dedicated to serving our Housing Authority residents: Lori and Erin. Last month they started a new program: walk with the housing authority nurses.

Inspired by the evidence based "Walk with a Doc" programs, we know that this initiative benefits participants in multiple ways:

• Walking is good for your heart
• Spending time with other people and outside in nature benefits your mental health
• Learning about ways to lead a healthier lifestyle from a healthcare professional is beneficial overall

This is just one of the many ways your local Public Health Department works daily to make our community a healthier place to live, work and play.