Harm Reduction Services:

Educational Information:

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are actions that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of infectious illnesses. These actions may be taken in addition to vaccinations and medication. Hand washing is an example of a non-pharmaceutical intervention that everyone can practice to prevent the spread of germs. Please follow the link for additional information on non-pharmaceutical interventions from CDC.

Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention Fact Sheet

Tickborne Disease in Kentucky (arcgis.com)

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Update 4/9/2024:

The Hopkins County Health Department would like to advise that we have received the results from the FDA and state lab concerning the strawberries from the North and Central Fundraiser today. Testing of the strawberries was reported as negative today by the State Epidemiologist. The state Food and Safety Branch has also reviewed the reports.

If you froze the strawberries properly, we are no longer issuing a caution concerning them.

We appreciate the teamwork of the Department of Public Health, the Madisonville Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Hopkins County Board of Education, and the citizens of Hopkins County.

There were 443 flats distributed by North and 535 flats distributed by Central; these strawberries were distributed by Juicy Fruit LLC, Southern Grown and Sizemore Farms.  We appreciate their concern for public safety.  We were contacted by their Safety Director who was helpful and supportive.

These strawberries were driven to Frankfort the day of our notification, but extensive lab testing was done, and this takes time.  We appreciate your patience and please understand that public safety was our primary concern.

Thank you,

Denise Beach, MS, BSN, RN

Public Health Director

Update: 3/15/2024 at 1:06 PM

According to Dr. Christopher Kiefer, Medical Examiner, the incident involving strawberries looks like an isolated allergic reaction. He relates that this is a preliminary report, so we still advise not eating the strawberries currently.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we get information to you as quickly as possible.  Please refrain from contacting the hospital or medical offices unless you need medical care, as they are not able to take all these calls.  We will keep you informed.

Denise Beach

Public Health Director

Original Release:

The Hopkins County Health Department is issuing a caution advising citizens not to eat any strawberries purchased by the school fundraiser for Madisonville North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High School athletics. 

Currently, the Department of Public Health Environmentalists are taking samples of the strawberries to the state lab for testing.  Although, this incident could be unrelated, the decision has been made to exercise caution and advise not eating any of these strawberries. 

I have advised the schools to dispose of any strawberries brought by students in lunches today.  Please do not send any strawberries to school until further notice. 

There were 443 flats distributed by North and 535 flats distributed by Central; these are distributed by Juicy Fruit LLC, Southern Grown and Sizemore Farms are the farms.

We will keep the public informed on our Facebook and website for Hopkins County Health Department.

Denise Beach, MS, BSN, RN

Public Health Director