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Champaign County EMA and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urge People to Prepare for Severe Weather

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2019

Contact
John Dwyer, Coordinator / CCEMA
(217) 384-3826 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign County EMA and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urge People to Prepare for Severe Weather

Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois begins March 3

Champaign, IL – The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urge everyone to prepare for severe weather. March 3-9, 2019 is Severe Weather Preparedness week in Illinois. Now is the time to prepare - before severe weather is predicted.

While there is nothing we can do to stop severe thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, or floods from developing, there are things that everyone can do to minimize the impacts of severe weather on our lives. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the following precautions can be taken to prepare for severe weather:

STAY INFORMED

This can be done by monitoring a weather alert radio, local radio and TV broadcasts, NWS web pages, or various applications on computers and smart phones. DON'T just rely on one method - especially storm sirens - which are NOT designed to be heard indoors by everyone. Have multiple ways to receive information such as:

Weather Alert Radio

Portable radio with battery backup

Wireless emergency alerts on most smart phones - cell phone apps such as FEMA, Red Cross, and Chambana Weather will send you warnings for your area but make sure to enable alerts Local TV and radio stations

HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Do this for your home, business, schools, and when you are traveling. Designate places to go to seek safe shelter from a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Pick two places to meet in case you are separated from your family or coworkers. While traveling or when away from home, know the names of the locations you are visiting - especially county and city names.

PREPARE YOURSELF & YOUR HOME FOR AN EMERGENCY

Learn how to use a fire extinguisher, how to administer CPR, and how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water supplies in your home.

Inspect your home for potential hazards such as weakened trees or limbs, cracked windows, or worn roofing.

When you build a new structure - or renovate an existing one - there are ways to prevent wind damage to roofs, upper floors, and garages. Rafters, trusses, walls, and doors can all be reinforced.

HAVE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Some storms produce power outages that will last for several days. Having the following items will help you cope with the disaster:
Bottled water
Non-perishable food
Flashlights and extra batteries
Extra clothing and blankets
An extra set of keys and cash
Medications and a first aid kit
Personal hygiene items
Pet supplies
A weather alert radio or portable AM/FM radio

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the NWS developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide which provides information about tornadoes, severe storms, lightning, and flooding along with recommended actions to take before, during, and after each of these weather events. It is available on the Ready Illinois website at http://www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

Preparedness tips and information are also available through the Ready Illinois Facebook Page and Twitter Page. For local information, go to Champaign County EMA and Twitter Page.

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Download 2019-02-04-Severe-Weather-Preparedness-Week-PR

Additional Measles Cases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2019

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Measles Cases

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges VaccinationThe Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Vaccination

Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting two more cases of measles. The third case was in quarantine for the entire infectious period. The fourth case is pending genotyping results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All four of the measles cases are no longer infectious.

Thursday, 02/07/19 5:00pm-8:30pm	Texas Roadhouse 204 N. Country Fair Dr, Champaign
Sunday, 02/10/19 7:00pm-9:10pm	Save-A-Lot 220 N. Broadway Ave, Urbana
Monday 02/11/19 Tuesday 02/12/19 Wednesday 02/13/19 Thursday 02/14/19 1:00pm-5:30pm	Urbana Early Childhood School 2202 E. Washington, Urbana
Tuesday 02/12/19 5:00pm-7:30pm	Carle Urbana on Windsor, Convenient Care 1818 E. Windsor, Urbana

Most individuals are vaccinated routinely, in childhood, starting at age 1 (MMR, Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) and are not at high risk for infection. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated, including infants. Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is working with the Urbana Early Childhood School and Carle to identify potential contacts. If you were at any of these exposure sites, please contact public health or your healthcare provider for follow-up.

Individuals with symptoms of measles (fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) and an exposure should CALL their health care provider to discuss the need for testing before going to a clinic.

The identified person was possibly infectious at the times and locations listed below. Two hours have been added to the time after the individual left the following locations, as the virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours.

Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If individuals develop symptoms of measles, CUPHD recommends they stay home and call their healthcare provider. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.

Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

“A single dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles” said CUPHD Administrator, Julie Pryde. “There is plenty of MMR vaccine available in our community. If you or your children have not been vaccinated, please talk to your healthcare provider now about getting vaccinated.” “CUPHD is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Carle, Christie, OSF Hospital and the Urbana School District to limit the spread of measles in our community”.

For more information about measles, contact your health care provider.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – 217-531-4255

Christie Clinic – 217-902-6000

Carle – 217-902-6000

OSF – 888-627-5673

McKinley Health Center – 217-333-2700

Frances Nelson/Promise Healthcare – 217-403-5412; 217-902-6000

The Illinois Department of Public Health website: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseasesand-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/measles.

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Download 2019-02-17-Measles-Cases-PR

Second Measles Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2019

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Second Measles Case

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District says call a health care provider if youThe Champaign-Urbana Public Health District says call a health care provider if you are having symptomsare having symptoms

Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting a second local case of measles. Most individuals are vaccinated routinely, in childhood, starting at age 1 (MMR, Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) and are not at high risk for infection. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated, including infants. Individuals unsure of their vaccine records should call their health care provider to check to see if they are fully vaccinated. Individuals with symptoms should CALL their health care provider to discuss the need for testing before presenting to the clinic. University of Illinois students who have symptoms should contact McKinley Health Center before presenting for care.

The person who was identified, who was infectious at the time, was at the locations listed below. Two hours have been added to the time after the individual left the following locations.

POSSIBLE EXPOSURE LOCATION

January 28, 2019 9:00 AM - Noon	MTD #22 Bus
January 28, 2019 2:30 – 5:30 PM	MTD #22 Bus
January 28, 2019 9:30 AM – 4:15 PM	University of Illinois School of Social Work
January 29, 2019 3:00 – 6:00 PM	University of Illinois School of Social Work
January 31, 2019 7:30 – 9:30 PM	Carle Hospital Emergency Department
January 27 – 31, 2019	Maywood Apartment Building at 51 East John Street, Champaign

“If you feel you may have measles, it is extremely important that you call your healthcare provider first, rather than showing up to a healthcare facility where additional exposures could occur,” said CUPHD Administrator, Julie Pryde. “If you or your children are not currently vaccinated against measles, it is advised that you do so now. One dose offers up to 93 percent protection. Two doses offer 97 percent protection. Both cases in this situation were non-immune persons but the overall Champaign-Urbana community is highly immunized.”