Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (C-UPHD) is alerting community residents of widespread increase in shigellosis in Champaign County. Since January of 2015, C-UPHD has been alerted to 20 lab confirmed cases of shigellosis. C- UPHD has requested that the medical community and emergency departments increase testing and treatment of shigellosis. C-UPHD has notified and sent informational letters to Champaign County daycares, educational facilities, pools, day camps, and restaurants.

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. The diarrhea is often bloody. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5-7 days. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to... more...

Champaign, IL - Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, will present a Certificate of Support to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) for their support of the Organ /Tissue Donor program on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The event will be held in the main conference room at CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign, at
10:00 AM.

April is National Donate Life Month. According to Life Goes On, there are currently more than 5.7 million people registered to become organ/tissue donors in Illinois; however, more than 5,000 are on the waiting list and about 300 people die each year waiting for an organ transplant. More than 25 people can benefit from single... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign County Medical Reserve Corps (CCMRC), Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians have teamed up to host two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and education event on Sunday, April 26, 2015. The event will be held at the Champaign- Urbana Public Health District located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign and the Rantoul Community Service Center located at 520 E. Wabash in Rantoul from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.

This event offers an opportunity for dog and cat owners who may not otherwise be able to provide vet care a more affordable option. The cost of the rabies vaccination plus the county registration fee ranges from $15 - $26. Up to 75 pre-registered individuals are guaranteed a spot. Walk-ins are welcome and will be seen after those who are... more...

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) promotes National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 8-14, 2015. According to the National Ground Water Association, groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. This week's purpose is to educate the public about the importance of groundwater and water well stewardship.

More than 90 percent of all public drinking water systems rely on groundwater to supply the population with drinking water and millions of Americans rely on groundwater from aquifers to supply their private wells, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency... more...

The Illini District Dental Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Parkland College Dental Hygiene and SmileHealthy Participate in "Give Kids a Smile"

Champaign, IL - The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Fluid Events Center located at 601 N. Country Fair Drive in Champaign. The event is part of the Children's Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association (ADA) that provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income families.

On March 14, local dentists and hygienists are taking the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering time and services for GKAS and providing free dental exams, cleanings and fluoride varnish treatments to any child between the ages of 1 and 17. The oral health fair will offer a wide range of services and activities for everyone including: dental hygiene education; free toothbrushes; face... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has been providing training and Naloxone (also known as Narcan) since 2008. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from drug overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades and have become the leading cause of injury death in the United States.

The CUPHD prevention staff train friends and family members of opiate users on the use of Naloxone and how to administer the medicine to stop an overdose. Participants will watch a short film and complete a questionnaire that reviews the steps covered in the film. There have been 47 reported opiate reversals (lives saved) since CUPHD began the program. The program is free and open to anyone 18 years and older who are at risk for opiate overdose. CUPHD works in conjunction with the Chicago Recovery Alliance... more...

Strategies for Successful Collaboration between Hospitals and Local Health Departments.

We Choose Health Sites Engaged in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

The goal of Illinois' We Choose Health Baby-Friendly Hospital project was to increase the number of Baby-Friendly hospitals in the state, and in doing so, foster partnerships between each hospital and its local health department. From September 2012 through September 2014, fifteen hospitals and twelve local health departments participated in the Baby-Friendly Hospital project, part of the Illinois Department of Public Health's We Choose Health Initiative, which was made possible through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The collaboration between the hospitals and their local health departments was an effort to create not only a Baby-Friendly hospital, but also to build a Baby-Friendly community that would better support breastfeeding families.... more...

SPRINGFIELD - El director del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois confirmó hoy un caso de sarampión en Illinois. Un residente de los suburbios del condado de Cook se enfermó a mediados de enero y los resultados positivos de sarampión regresaron este fin de semana.

"Este caso en Illinois sirve para recordar la importancia de las vacunas," dijo el direcor Shah. "Con solo 10 casos reportados en Illinois en los últimos cinco años, muchos padres de familia no han tenido la experiencia de la grave enfermedad causada por el sarampión. Las vacunas son imprescindibles para proteger no solo a cada niño, sino a la comunidad entera."

El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Cook (CCDPH por sus siglas en inglés), con la ayuda del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois (IDPH por sus siglas en inglés), está localizando e informando a todos los posibles contactos que podrían... more...

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav Shah today confirmed one case of measles in Illinois. A suburban Cook County resident became ill in mid-January and test results were positive for measles.

"This case in Illinois is a reminder of the importance of immunizations," said Director Shah. "With only 10 cases reported in Illinois over the past five years, many parents may not have experienced the severe illness that can be caused by measles. Immunizations are vital to protect not only each child, but the community as a whole."

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), with assistance from IDPH, is conducting contact tracing and informing all potential contacts of their possible exposure.

"Measles is highly contagious and a person with no immunity can become infected simply by being in the same room with someone who has the disease," said CCDPH Senior Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Rachel Rubin. "To... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Test Their Homes with a Radon Test Kit

CHAMPAIGN, IL - January is National Radon Action Month and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages citizens to learn more about the threat of radon and to test their homes for the presence of radon. CUPHD has radon test kits available for $10. Test kits may be picked up at the Environmental Health division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign; kits are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to indoor radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released into the air from decaying matter in rocks, soil and water. While levels in outdoor air are relatively harmless, radon can... more...