Press Releases
Year
Illinois Department of Public Health Reports Six Cases Of Viral Illness Linked To Ratteries General public at low risk of infection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2017
Illinois Department of Public Health Reports Six Cases Of Viral Illness Linked To Ratteries General public at low risk of infection
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting six cases of Seoul virus in individuals who had direct exposure to rats in two different Illinois ratteries. Ratteries are facilities where rats are bred. A rattery in Wisconsin purchased rats from the two Illinois ratteries and two Wisconsin residents have also tested positive for Seoul virus. Results of laboratory testing of rats at these facilities are pending.
IDPH is working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health departments to investigate the source of these Seoul virus infections, coordinate testing, and prevent possible future cases. IDPH has contacted both Illinois ratteries to identify people who may have been exposed and to follow up on any additional potential illnesses. The ratteries are located in north-west Illinois and east-central Illinois. Neither rattery is currently selling rats.
“Seoul virus is not known to be transmitted from person to person. Therefore, the general public is at extremely low risk,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Out of an abundance of caution, we want to let the public know in the event they have recently purchased rats from an affected facility and become ill.”
Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus, is carried only by brown or Norway rats. Other pets and animals cannot be infected. Only a few cases of Seoul virus have been reported in the U.S. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, blurred vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. In severe cases, infection can also lead to acute renal disease. However, not all people infected with the virus experience symptoms. Five of the six Illinois cases showed no signs of illness.
As the investigation continues, more ratteries or people who have purchased rats at affected ratteries may be identified. Therefore, it is important that people take precautions to avoid becoming infected.
If you are concerned about a recent rat purchase, make sure to follow good pet hygiene practices. Contact your local health department or health care provider if you recently purchased or handled rats from an Illinois rattery and are experiencing symptoms of Seoul virus.
As with other diseases carried by rodents, Seoul virus is transmitted to people from direct contact with rat urine or feces, contaminated materials like bedding, and possibly by aerosolized feces, urine, or saliva. It can also be transmitted through a bite from an infected rat.
To avoid becoming ill with diseases carried by rodents:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your pets or areas where yourpets have been.
- Keep your small pets and their cages out of kitchens or other areas where food is served.
- Pet cages, bedding, toys, feed or water containers should be cleaned away from areas wherefood is served or people may bathe.
- Use gloves and a face mask for cleaning.
- Avoid creating dust from fecal materials by wetting down bedding and disinfecting it.
- Do not sweep or vacuum up rodent urine, droppings, or nests as this creates airborne particles.
- Cover cuts and scratches before handling your pet.
- Don’t keep small pets in a child’s bedroom, especially children younger than five years.
- Don’t snuggle or kiss small pets, touch your mouth after handling small pets, or eat or drinkaround them.
For additional information about safe handling and cleaning practices, go to https://www.cdc.gov /rodents/cleaning/index.html.
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Survey to Determine Emergency Preparedness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2016
Contact
Jane Li, Emergency Preparedness
(217) 531-2932 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Survey to Determine Emergency Preparedness
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Medical Reserve Corp to Survey Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Medical
Reserve Corps is overseeing a first-of-its-kind survey in Champaign County that will look at how prepared local residents are for potential disasters. The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response—or CASPER—survey will take place in neighborhoods across Champaign County on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, 2016 from Noon to 6 PM. Volunteers will visit Champaign, Homer, Rantoul, Sadorus, Savoy, St. Joseph, and Urbana.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Health Studies Branch developed CASPER. This simple tool enables government at all levels to rapidly assess a community’s health needs after a disaster, as well as to measure household preparedness for disasters or emergencies.
The data collected from the survey will be used by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) to address public health and emergency preparedness needs in our community. The survey will not collect any personal information – no names, addresses, or personally identifiable information. It is voluntary and participants can refuse to answer any question. Volunteers will be wearing a blue vest or a blue t-shirt that says Medical Reserve Corps.
This survey offers a unique opportunity for citizens to provide anonymous feedback about their public health needs. It offers the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District an opportunity to learn how to better meet the needs of all local citizens. Findings from the survey and public health educational materials will be posted on the website at www.c-uphd.org later this fall.
If you would like to volunteer to conduct surveys or have questions, please contact Jane Li, Emergency Preparedness Planner at CUPHD, at (217) 531-2932.
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High Temperatures and Humidity Can Be Extremely Dangerous
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2016
Contact
John Dwyer, Coordinator / CCEMA
(217) 384-3826 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
High Temperatures and Humidity Can Be Extremely Dangerous
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Champaign County Emergency Management Agency Urge the Public to Take Extra Precautions to Stay Safe in the Heat
Champaign, IL –The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) urge 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 or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include:
- An extremely high body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no signs of perspiration)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea
Never leave children, elderly persons, or pets in a parked car – even for a few minutes with the windows partially open. The metal of the vehicle conducts and concentrates the intense heat and brain damage or even death can occur from the rapid rise of temperature in the vehicle. Children, the elderly, and pets are especially susceptible to heat-related illness due to a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, the inability to adjust to sudden changes in temperature, the tendency to retain more body heat, dehydration due to over activity or exertion, and the lack of access to adequate fluids.
Precautions to avoid heat-related illness:
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 48-64 ounces of cool non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages (caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and will increase dehydration). Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Reduce the amount of activity during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be active during those times, strive to take frequent breaks in a shady or cool area.
- Wear light-colored and lightweight clothes.
- Take a cool shower or sponge bath if you begin feeling over heated.
- Retreat to an air-conditioned environment if you begin to feel overly warm. If you do not have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, grocery store, or other public place to cool off.
If you or someone you know shows signs of a heat-related illness, have someone call for medical assistance while you begin the cooling process:
- Take the person to an air-conditioned, cool, or shady area.
- Cool the person rapidly by spraying cold water from a shower or garden hose.
- Monitor the body temperature carefully until the temperature drops below 101-102 degrees.
- Give plenty of cool (not cold) non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to drink. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
The following cooling centers are available throughout the local area:
- Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – Champaign
- Marketplace Mall – Champaign
- Public Aid Office, North Country Fair Drive – Champaign
- Lincoln Square Mall – Urbana
- Public Libraries – Champaign, Urbana, Tolono
CUPHD is a kid-friendly cooling center and is open from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday. CUPHD offers a summer food program for children ages 18 and younger, educational TV, free Wi-Fi, coloring stations, and books for kids.
Anyone can suffer a heat-related illness. CUPHD and CCEMA urge everyone to take precautions in the summer heat and to check on children, the elderly, and pets frequently.
For more information, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit www.c-uphd.org.
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