Press Releases
Year
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2015
Contact
(217) 531-2932 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
Join the Champaign County Medical Reserve Corp and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for a Fun and Educational Event
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 a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic and education event on Saturday, June 20, 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 8:30 – 10:30 AM.
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 registered.
The clinic will also provide education on diseases that pets can spread to humans. CCMRC provides outreach regarding such diseases, practices intake and vaccinations, and implements low-cost vaccination clinics to assist with community preparedness and resiliency.
To register for the clinic, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S2RRBPZ.
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Summer Food Service Program Starts Wednesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2015
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of MCH
(217) 531-4308 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Summer Food Service Program Starts Wednesday
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Hosts Summer Food Program Providing Free Meals to Children
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is hosting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) again this year beginning Wednesday, June 3. The program provides free meals throughout the summer months when children are not in school.
SFSP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run through midAugust in the lobby of CUPHD located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. Breakfast is served from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and lunch from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm. All meals are free to children ages one to 18 regardless of income or residency.
“The Summer Food Service Program is a very important program. Many children get most of their nutrient intake from school food service nine months out of the year and it can be a challenge for some families during the summer. We are very pleased to be able to provide this service when school is out,” according to Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal and Child Health.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District proudly sponsors programs such as these to help children learn and grow. For more information on programs like this or other available services, visit www.c-uphd.org.
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C-UPHD Alerts Public to Widespread cases of Shigellosis in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2015
Contact
Rachella Thompson-Brown, Communicable Disease Investigator
(217) 531-5361
Awais Vaid,
Epidemiologist (217) 531-5360
C-UPHD Alerts Public to Widespread cases of Shigellosis in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Wash Their Hands Often to Prevent the Spread of the Disease
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. CUPHD 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 others.
When someone develops diarrhea, they should be excluded promptly from work or school and if the diarrhea does not resolve quickly contact your physician to get tested. Testing is imperative to help prevent the spread in social situations such as school, daycamp, and swimming pools. Individuals must be symptom- free for 48 hours before they can return to social situations.
Most Shigella infections are the result of bacterium spreading from the stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another. This happens when basic hygiene and hand washing habits are inadequate. The spread of Shigella can be stopped by frequent and careful hand washing with soap and warm water. Hand washing among children should be frequent and supervised by an adult.
CUPHD encourages the pubic to utilize the following steps to prevent the spread of shigellosis:
- Wash hands with soap carefully and frequently, especially after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing foods and beverages.
- Dispose of soiled diapers properly.
- Disinfect diaper changing areas after using them.
- Keep children with diarrhea out of social settings until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
- Supervise hand washing of toddlers and small children after they have used the bathroom.
- Do not prepare foods and beverages for other when ill with diarrhea.
- Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes or untreated pools.
Proper hand washing should include the following steps:
- Wet your hands and apply soap.
- Rub hands together vigorously to lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue washing for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”- twice!).
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry hands using a single use paper towel or air dryer.
- If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door to avoid contaminating your clean hands.
For more information, please contact C-UPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit our website at www.c-uphd.org.
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