Press Releases
Year
First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions
Champaign, IL – A dead bird collected last week just outside the city limits of Champaign has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). “With an increase in the hot and dry conditions we will expect to see an increase of WNV between the bird and Culex mosquito populations. It is important for people to now take precautions to help prevent WNV,” said Jim Roberts, Environmental Health Director at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).
Actions you can take to limit exposure to WNV are:
- Drain standing water
- Mosquito-proof your home
- Apply insect repellent*
- Wear long sleeves and pants, when weather permits*
- Consider limiting outdoor activity*
*Take extra care during the peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn.
West Nile virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Only about two people in 10 who are infected with WNV will experience any illness. Illness from WNV is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness such as encephalitis, meningitis and death are possible. Serious illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease.
Information about WNV activity can be found on the CUPHD website at http://www.c-uphd.org/west-nile-virus.html.
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Body Art Grant Agreement Not Renewed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Body Art Grant Agreement Not Renewed
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Will No Longer Inspect Body Art Establishments
CHAMPAIGN, - Effective July 1, 2013, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) no longer conducts inspections or investigates complaints in body art establishments within CUPHD' s jurisdiction. CUPHD chose not to renew the grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act requires body art establishments to register with IDPH. In Champaign-Urbana, more than 50 percent of body art establishments have not registered with the state, therefore, not allowing CUPHD to inspect those establishments. The Act does not give IDPH or CUPHD the authority to enforce registration requirements, only to inspect those facilities that have registered. Because of this, CUPHD will no longer implement this program. The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin conducting inspections.
"It is especially disappointing to cease participation in the program. CUPHD had the first Tattoo Artist Rules and Regulations in Illinois that were established in 1995," said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at CUPHD.
Letters have been sent to local body art establishments informing them of the decision. The following is a listing of local body art establishments:
Registered with IDPH and Inspected by CUPHD:
- Advanced Aesthetics Inspected 3/22/13 Legacy Ink Inspected 6/21/13
- New Life Tattoo Inspected 2/28/13
- No Regrets Tattoo & Body Piercing Inspected 2/21/13
- Typecast, Inc. Inspected 6/27/13
- Vision World Inspected 3/26/13
Not Registered with IDPH:
- 217 Tattoo
- 5 Star Tattoo
- Altered Egos 2
- Mark of Cain Tattoos
- Revolt Tattoo
- Sudden Impact
- Tattoos by Jason Dunavan at Rod Sickler Salon & Spa
For more information on CUPHI) and available services, please visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Recalled Pomegranate Seeds Distributed in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Recalled Pomegranate Seeds Distributed in Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Consumers to Check Their Freezers for Recalled Pomegranate Seeds
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) received notice from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding a recall of pomegranate seeds. IDPH recommends checking the brand of frozen pomegranate seeds or a mixture containing pomegranate seeds purchased since February prior to eating them.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined the most likely source of a multistate Hepatitis A virus outbreak is a common shipment of pomegranate seeds from Turkey used in the Townsend Farms and Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Blends. These seeds were also used by Scenic Fruit Company to make its Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The companies have voluntarily recalled these products.
As of June 27, 2013, the CDC confirmed 127 people have become ill from Hepatitis A after eating Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend in eight states: Arizona (17), California (64), Colorado (25), Hawaii (7), New Mexico (5), Nevada (5), Utah (2) and Wisconsin (2). To date, 11 Illinois counties have received the Scenic Fruit Company product, although no illnesses have yet been linked to this product. Counties include Adams, Champaign, Cook, DuPage, Jackson, Lake, Madison, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon and St. Clair.
Hepatitis A symptoms may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever, vomiting, darker urine and jaundice. Symptoms can appear from 15 to 50 days after exposure, but usually within 28 to 30 days of being exposed to the virus.
Persons who may have consumed the affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately.
Consumers with the product should not consume it; the product should be disposed of immediately. Keep proof of product purchase.
The following website links contain recall notification information including photos of the product packaging:
- Townsend Farms (Townsend Farms Antioxidant Blend and Harris Teeter Antioxidant Blend) http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm355166.htm http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm359140.htm
- Scenic Fruit (Woodstock Organic Pomegranate Kernels) http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm358740.htm
The following website links contain updates on the Hepatitis A investigation:
- FDA: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm354698.htm
- CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html
For more information on CUPHD and available services, please visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.