Press Releases
Year
One Confirmed Case of Measles in Illinois
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2015
Contact
Melaney Arnold 217-836-6438 (IDPH)
Amy Poore-Terrell 708-906-1271 (CCDPH)
One Confirmed Case of Measles in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav Shah today confirmed one case of measles in Illinois. A suburban Cook County resident became ill in mid-January and test results were positive for measles.
“This case in Illinois is a reminder of the importance of immunizations,” said Director Shah. “With only 10 cases reported in Illinois over the past five years, many parents may not have experienced the severe illness that can be caused by measles. Immunizations are vital to protect not only each child, but the community as a whole.”
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), with assistance from IDPH, is conducting contact tracing and informing all potential contacts of their possible exposure.
“Measles is highly contagious and a person with no immunity can become infected simply by being in the same room with someone who has the disease,” said CCDPH Senior Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Rachel Rubin. “To eliminate the potential spread of the disease, it is imperative that we notify the public of any possible exposures to residents.”
Potential exposures in Illinois may have occurred to:
- Patients and visitors at the Northwest Community Hospital emergency room (800 West Central Road, Arlington Heights) on January 14th from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and January 17th from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Customers at the Supermercado Guzman (1611 North Baldwin Road, Palatine) on January 12th and 13th between 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Patients and visitors at the Vista Clinic (1585 North Rand Road, Palatine) on January 16th between 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A person who was potentially exposed and is experiencing symptoms a fever of 101 F or higher, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without rash, should call the Cook County Department of Public Health at 847-818-4020 as well as their healthcare provider. These individuals should not go to their doctor’s office or the emergency room as they could infect others around them.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and a characteristic rash. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air and on surfaces up to two hours. Infected people are contagious from four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards.
Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles infection and is required for all Illinois school children who are not exempt due to religious or medical reasons.
At this time, there is no identified link between this measles case and the multi-state outbreak of measles associated with Disneyland.
For more information about measles, visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmeasles.htm.
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Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2015
Contact
Jennifer Simburger, Environmental Health Specialist I
(217) 531-2929 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Test Their Homes with a Radon Test Kit
CHAMPAIGN, IL – January is National Radon Action Month and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages citizens to learn more about the threat of radon and to test their homes for the presence of radon. CUPHD has radon test kits available for $10. Test kits may be picked up at the Environmental Health division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign; kits are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to indoor radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released into the air from decaying matter in rocks, soil and water. While levels in outdoor air are relatively harmless, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. Radon is an invisible threat; it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The only way to detect radon is to perform a radon test.
<>The test kits provided by CUPHD are safe and easy to use. Simply open the test kit, and place the radon detector in a designated area in the home for a minimum of 48 hours, with windows and doors closed. After 48 hours, place the detector in the enclosed postage-paid envelope and send it to a lab for a free analysis. The lab will then inform you of your radon test results.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher should be mitigated. The national average home reading is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average outdoor reading is about 0.4 pCi/L. Forty-eight percent of homes tested in Champaign County have high radon levels.
Radon presents a serious health risk, but it can be controlled easily and cost effectively. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family. Test your home and protect your health today.
For more information on radon or radon test kits, please contact CUPHD at (217) 373-7900 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org/radon.
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Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic this Saturday
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2014
Contact
(217) 531-2932 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic this Saturday
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), Champaign County Animal Control, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians have teamed up to host a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic and education event this Saturday, December 6, 2014. The event will be held at the Rantoul Community Service Center located at 520 E. Wabash from 10:00 AM – Noon.
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: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Dec6RabiesClinic.
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