SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - Illinois Department of Public Health is offering recommendations tor avoiding Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia and ehrlichiosis.

As the weather warms up and people spend more time outdoors, it’s important to take precautions against tick bites and the illnesses they can carry.

According to health officials, tickborne diseases can cause mild symptoms, severe infections requiring hospitalization and even death. 

Last year in Illinois, preliminary numbers show 50 cases of ehrlichiosis, four cases of tularemia, 204 cases of Lyme disease and 151 cases of Rock Mountain spotted fever, which included one death.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - As summer approaches, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reminding parents and caregivers to constantly supervise children when they are near water.

According to DCFS, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional deaths for children ages one through four in the U.S. It claimed the lives of 21-Illinois children last year.

“It doesn't matter who you are or how many safety precautions were set in place beforehand. When a child is unsupervised, these tragedies happen in moments,” said Richard H. Calica, Director of DCFS.  “Stepping away to answer the phone, turning your back for a second or becoming distracted by other kids is a gamble with a child’s life.” 

DCFS officials say Inadequate supervision, which includes childhood drowning, was the third-leading cause of all child deaths indicated by DCFS last year. 

(KFVS) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say more than 80 percent of norovirus outbreaks occur from November to April. The norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea and is very contagious.

The CDC estimates that more than 20 million people, or about one in every 15 Americans, are infected with norovirus.

“Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach illness in the country,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “However, the easiest way to avoid becoming ill is to wash your hands.  Viruses can contaminate surfaces and objects touched by someone who is ill. If your hand then comes in contact with your mouth, chances are you will end up becoming ill.”