Siouxland District Health Department

Welcome to the Siouxland District Health Department (SDHD) Website.  Use the A-Z Index to easily search our site or find out more about our programs and services by clicking on that tab.

Siouxland District Health Department recently completed an extensive renovation.  It's been known for a long time that many of our clients can benefit from more than one of the programs that SDHD offers, but organizational and physical barriers have often made it difficult to integrate these services.  This renovation joins the working spaces of our nursing clinic and our nutrition division to break down some of the physical barriers in order to increase the efficiency of service delivery.  Some of the highlights include: a combined waiting room for both divisions, expanded exam rooms to accommodate families, enhanced classroom space for education, additional restroom facilities, and staff work spaces much closer to the clinic area.  It's also worth noting that our staff ensured that this renovation project took place without disruption of the day-to-day services!  Our hope is that this upgrade to our facility leads to an even better experience for the community as they seek the services that we provide. 

When arriving at SDHD for WIC and Nursing Clinic services, please enter the first door on your left and check in at the counter. 

Several local child care programs have taken the necessary steps to improve their nutrition and physical activity environment, policies, and practices. Siouxland District Health Department provided technical assistance to Apple Tree Preschool and Learning Center in Morningside, Mary Elizabeth Child Care Center,  Crittenton Center Child Development Program, and Angel House. All centers completed a self-assessment process, developed action plans, provided workshops on physical activity, childhood obesity, and nutrition to staff, and completed a reassessment.  All centers have made great strides to improve their environment for the betterment of the children they serve. Please click on the names of the centers to see a summary of their specific improvements and view some photos below. 

Mary Elizabeth Photos

Angel House Photos

Updated: July 27

ZIKA VIRUS and Sexual Transmission

The CDC recently released new guidance regarding sexual transmission of Zika virus to protect the babies of women who may be pregnant.

Here are a few of the latest facts:

• Most cases of Zika infection have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms.
• The primary concern of Zika is microcephaly and other severe brain defects occuring in babies born to mothers infected during the pregnancy.
• Women that are pregnant (in any trimester) should consider postponing travel to Zika affected areas.
• 15 cases of sexually transmitted Zika virus has been reported in the USA.
• Zika virus has been found in semen up to 93 days after symptoms began.
• One asymptomatic man, who was infected with Zika, had detectable virus in his semen 39 days after leaving the Zika affected area.
• Evidence of Zika virus being spread sexually from a woman to a man has now been documented.

Given a few of these facts, here are updated recomendations:

Pregnant couples:

• Pregnant women who have sex partners that live in or who have traveled to an area with active Zika transmission, should consistently and correctly use barriers to prevent infection or abstain from sext for the duration of the pregnancy.  Such barriers include male and female condoms for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• Pregnant women should consult their doctors if they have traveled to Zika affected areas.  Your doctor can consult with public health officials regarding testing for Zika.

Couples NOT pregnant and not planning on becoming pregnant:

• Men and women who want to reduce the risk of Zika transmission should use barrier protection or abstain from sex when one person lives in or travels to a Zika affected area.

Couples wanting to become pregnant:

• Men and women without Zika symptoms but with possible Zika exposure should wait 8 weeks after exposure to begin trying to get pregnant.  Barrier protection or abstinence is needed to prevent pregnancy during this 8 week time frame.

Your healthcare provider has access to more detailed information and you can find out much more here: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

To see the latest countries considered "Zika affected areas", click here: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html