The Allegan County Health Department, Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Division coordinates the public health response to natural or human-caused emergencies. The PHEP develops plans, conducts trainings and collaborates with Community, Regional, and State stakeholders to prepare for and protect the public in a disaster or emergency situation.

The PHEP manages the distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile's medical countermeasures to the Allegan County population during a disaster or emergency event. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile is the nation’s largest supply of potentially life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.

The stockpile ensures the right medicines and supplies are available when and where needed to save lives. In case of a public health emergency, the Allegan County Health Department will open Point of Dispensing (POD) sites for mass dispensing of medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, antitoxins and/or vaccines from the Strategic National Stockpile to the public.

The Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) works with community partners and healthcare providers to help prepare them for addressing various emerging pathogens. Some of these pathogens include:

Food-Borne Illnesses

There are many ways that food can become contaminated, causing illness. These include:

• Not washing hands or improperly washing hands before handling ready-to-eat foods.
• Cross-contamination of raw meats with ready-to-eat foods. This can occur during the cooking process, and also when the food is being stored.
• Cooking food to the correct temperature, and reheating food to the proper temperature.
• Storing food at the correct temperature. Your refrigerator should always be at 40 degrees F or below.

The ACHD has a food team responsible for not only inspecting food establishments, but also investigating potential foodborne illness outbreaks. If you or someone you know believes you are suffering from a foodborne illness, submit a health inquiry form to the ACHD for further investigation.

Vector-Borne Illnesses

The ACHD participates in the Vector-Borne Surveillance and Prevention Program in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). This program aims to identify populations of invasive mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease and identify black-legged ticks capable of spreading Lyme disease and other diseases.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

• Stay on well-groomed trails
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Be vigilant. Check yourself and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
• Place your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks you may have missed.
• Apply EPA-approved insect repellent before going outside.

Other Diseases

Diseases such as measles, COVID-19, influenza, pertussis, and more are reported to the ACHD so that appropriate follow-up and education may take place to stop the spread of disease. Frequent hand washing, staying up to date on your vaccinations, covering your mouth when you sneeze, and staying home from work or school are simple ways we can all take steps to keep ourselves and the community healthy.

While instances of Radiological Emergencies are extremely rare, it is important to be aware and have a plan; especially when residing within 5 miles of a nuclear power plant (also known as the 5-mile emergency planning zone).  The Allegan County Health Department collaborates with Allegan County Emergency Management and local fire departments to participate in radiological exercises and planning. 

Holtec Palisades provides valuable tools to residents living within the 5-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ). One of which is the Emergency Planning Guide. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get your household ready, handle emergencies with confidence, and stay connected to trusted information sources.

View a map of the 5-mile EPZ and evacuation routes.

Visit Holtec’s Emergency Planning Page for more information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), bioterrorism involves intentionally releasing viruses, bacteria, or toxins to harm people, livestock, or crops. Federal and local agencies across the country work together to actively prepare for bioterrorism emergency.