Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is alerting the public to an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to cantaloupes grown on one farm in southwestern Indiana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating in an ongoing multistate investigation to identify all possible sources of contamination and prevent additional cases of illness.

A total of 141 people in 20 states have been infected with Salmonella, associated with this outbreak, with illness onset dates ranging from July 7, 2012 to August 4, 2012. Among the 17 reported Illinois cases-representing 11 counties-eight people have been hospitalized.

CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuing to investigate, and as a result of the initial investigations, cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana is a likely source of this... more...

Pigs are commonly infected with swine influenza (swine flu) viruses that are usually different from human influenza viruses. While rare, influenza can spread from pigs to people and from people to pigs. When people get swine flu, it's usually after contact with pigs. This has happened in different settings, including fairs. Right now, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned about a new influenza virus that has been found in U.S. pigs and has infected people too. This virus - called H3N2v when it infects people - may spread more easily to humans than is usual for swine flu viruses.

There are ways to reduce the spread of influenza viruses between pigs and... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Host a Breastfeeding Expo in August

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting the 1st Annual Working Moms Breastfeeding Expo in conjunction with The Big Latch On August 2-4, 2012 at CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. This event is to increase awareness for community mothers on the breastfeeding support services available to them throughout the community. All events are free and open to the public.

The 1st Annual Working Moms Breastfeeding Expo
August 2
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM... more...

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human West Nile virus case reported in Illinois for 2012. The Cook County Health Department reported a female in her 60s became ill earlier this month.

"We are seeing are large increase in West Nile virus activity and this first human case is a good reminder that we all need to take precautions," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "The mosquitoes that typically carry West Nile virus, commonly called the house mosquito, are not as noticeable as the swarms of floodwater mosquitoes we see during rainy summers. Even if it does not look like there are a lot of mosquitoes out, house mosquitoes are stealthy biters and their virus infection rate is increasing rapidly, so make sure to use insect... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District/Champaign County Public Health Department Urges Residents to take precautions

Champaign, IL - Several mosquito samples in Champaign and Urbana have recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). "During hot and dry conditions WNV will amplify between the bird and Culex mosquito populations, and unfortunately with the weather we have been experiencing, this is taking place earlier than the previous couple of years," said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)/Champaign County Public Health Department.

The best way to prevent WNV infection or any other mosquito-borne illness is to prevent mosquito bites and to eliminate mosquito breeding... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Watch for Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges everyone to watch for the symptoms of heat-related illness, and to take precautions to keep their families and communities safe.

Heat-related illness can take many forms ranging from a mild case of heat exhaustion to a more serious and life-threatening case of heat stroke. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly and the body looses its ability to perspire and cool down. Rising to temperatures of 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not... more...

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the first West Nile virus positive bird detected in central Illinois for 2012. Champaign Urbana Public Health District staff collected a crow on June 12, which tested positive for West Nile virus. A bird collected in Cook County on May 16, and mosquito batches collected on May 17 and May 18 in DuPage and Cook counties, were the first West Nile virus positive specimens this year.

For more information read the PDF and visit our West Nile Virus Surveillance... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions

Champaign, IL - A dead bird collected last week in the City of Champaign has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), along with an unconfirmed mosquito pool collected in the City of Urbana. "As mosquito season progresses, it is important for people to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites," said Jeff Blackford, Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).

Prevent mosquito... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is Hosting a Seed and Plant Sale Day

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting a seed and plant sale for anyone with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign from 1:00 - 5:30 PM, as part of the Farmers' Market season kick-off.

Seeds will be available for purchase from 10 to 50 cents per package and plants will be available for between $1.00 and $3.50 each, depending on variety. Available plants will include broccoli, peppers and tomatoes (multiple varieties), cucumber, eggplant, strawberry, spaghetti squash, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potato and more. These items can be purchased at a much cheaper price than fresh produce. One $3.00 tomato plant can produce up to 10 to 15 pounds of tomatoes whereas you might pay $4.98 for two pounds of tomatoes at a local grocer; one $3.00 seedless... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Hosts a FREE Women's Wellness Workshop to Provide Healthy Habit Ideas

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting a FREE Women's Wellness Workshop on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM (speakers begin at 6:00 PM) at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. This educational and fun workshop will be geared towards increasing positive healthy habits of women. "The women of today are busier than ever before and too often women do not realize the strain that they inadvertently place on their health, which may lead to unfortunate consequences in the future," said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for CUPHD. "CUPHD hopes that this Women's Wellness Workshop will give participants the tools necessary to meet these challenges in a healthy... more...