Press Releases
Year
Champaign‐Urbana Walk with the Mayors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2021
Contact
Tara McCauley, Special Projects Coordinator
(217) 531‐4252 / tmccauley@c‐uphd.org
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Champaign‐Urbana Walk with the Mayors
Walk for Health and Fitness with the Champaign and Urbana Mayors
Champaign, IL ‐ On Saturday, April 2nd, the second annual Walk with the Mayors event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Douglass Park (512 E. Grove St, Champaign).
The purpose of the walk is to encourage community health and physical activity. Mayor Deborah Feinen of Champaign and Mayor Laurel Prussing of Urbana will lead the group to share their commitment to wellness and to inspire the community through healthy role modeling. The walk is free and open to the public, including children.
“We’d love to have residents join us,” said Mayor Prussing. “I try to walk every day. I enjoy walking to work and back. It’s great for your health.”
Champaign Mayor Feinen said, "Walking benefits our health and our environment and it's a great way to spend the morning. I am excited to show off our parks and our community's tremendous bike and walking infrastructure to those who join us."
The walk is approximately 3 miles, and will be at a leisurely pace. The walk will start with an address by Mayor Feinen at Douglass Park. The group will then walk through King Park to Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, where Mayor Prussing will address the walkers. The group will then walk back along the same route to finish at Douglass Park.
The event is being organized by the Champaign‐Urbana Public Health District, the Champaign Park District, the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, and the Urbana Park District. For more information: www.facebook.com/events/160809990967742
###
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 12 at Parkland College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2016
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff
CUPHD Dental Program Coordinator
Dr. Michael Ruffatto
Illini District Dental Society President
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 12 at Parkland College
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 12, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Parkland College Dental
Hygiene Clinic located at 2400 W. Bradley, 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 12, 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, fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants as needed 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 painting; and visits and pictures with Flossie from the Illinois State Dental Society, the Tooth Fairy, and the Delta Dental Tooth Wizard. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child. There are no income or residency requirements to receive services at the fair.
Dr. Michael Ruffatto, local General Dentist and President for the Illini District Dental Society, states "Give Kids a Smile is a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. Each year, we create a fun atmosphere for children and parents to gain a better understanding oral health. The need for
affordable dental care continues to grow. Maintaining good oral health and healthy eating habits are very important parts of a child’s overall development. This program will help families assess oral health needs and give them the tools to maintain a healthy smile and life."
The Illini District Dental Society partners with Parkland Dental Hygiene, SmileHealthy, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Children’s Dental Clinic to provide Give Kids a Smile in Champaign.
For more information, please contact SmileHealthy at (217) 359-7404 or the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District Children’s Dental Clinic at (217) 531-4538 or visit www.c-uphd.org
###
First 2015 Human West Nile Virus Deaths in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2015
Contact
Melaney Arnold – 217-558-0500
First 2015 Human West Nile Virus Deaths in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first two human West Nile virus related deaths in Illinois for 2015. The Cook County Department of Public Health reported a resident in their 90’s became ill at the end of August and has died. Separately, the Kendall County Health Department reported a resident in their 70’s became ill at the end of July and has died.
“Although we’re getting closer to the end of summer, you still can be at risk of getting West Nile virus,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “It’s important for everyone to continue taking precautions like wearing insect repellent and staying indoors between dusk and dawn.”
IDPH reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this year on August 19, 2015. Last year there were 44 human cases, including four deaths. Cases in human are underreported.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus.
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
Remember to take some simple precautions to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and protect yourself from being bitten. Precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
- REDUCE exposure: Minimize being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. If you go outside during these times, take precautions. Even if mosquito numbers seem low, it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit the virus.
-
Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
-
Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, such as old tires, buckets and other receptacles, or refresh the water in bird baths, flowerpots and wading pools every couple days.
-
-
REPEL: When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
-
REPORT: Report dead birds to your local health department. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government about areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found by logging onto www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/west-nile-virus.