Press Releases
Year
Case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Verified in Local Champaign County Dog
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2008
Contact
Michael Flanagan, Environmental Health Specialist I
(217) 531-2908
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Verified in Local Champaign County Dog
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Knowledgeable of Tick Precautions and Tick-borne Diseases
Champaign, IL – A case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) has been positively identified in a local dog in Champaign County. To date, no human cases of RMSF have been reported. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages citizens of Champaign County to be vigilant in checking both themselves and their pets for ticks, take basic precautions to prevent exposure to ticks and to recognize the potential symptoms of tick-borne diseases.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a disease caused by a bacteria carried by ticks. Symptoms of RMSF in people include fever, nausea and muscle pain about a week after being bitten by a tick, followed a few days later by a prominent rash, usually located on the arms or ankles. RMSF cannot be spread by animals or people only through a tick bite or from exposure to tick body parts or fluids which might enter the body through cuts or scrapes on the skin.
There are many basic steps that can be taken to prevent tick bites, and the possible exposure to tick-borne diseases including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and many others. Steps include:
- Avoid tick infested areas. Ticks are often found in areas with tall grass and weeds or wooded areas. If walking in these areas, try to walk in the center of trails so vegetation does not brush against you or your pet.
- Wear light colored clothing, which allows you to see ticks crawling on your clothing.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes. Tuck your pant legs into your socks to prevent ticks from having easy access to exposed areas and crawling onto skin.
- Apply repellents to discourage tick attachment. Always follow label instructions.
- Perform tick checks every two or three hours using a hand held or full length mirror. Pay special attention to:
- Under the arms o In and around the ears
- Back of the knees o Feet & ankles
- In & around the hair
- Around the waist o Inside the belly button
- If pets are outdoors, check them for ticks before bringing them in the house. Contact your veterinarian for additional options for tick control for pets.
- Reduce exposure to ticks by reducing areas of tall dense vegetation around the house.
If a tick is discovered, it is important to remove it properly. The proper removal of ticks includes:
- Do not use bare hands to remove a tick. Use a barrier such as tweezers or tissue to grasp the tick near the mouth parts (as close to the skin as possible).
- Gently pull the tick in a steady upward motion.
- Wash the area with soap and water and use a disinfectant on the bite site.
- Record the date and location of the tick bite, and watch for early symptoms of tick borne illness including fever, nausea and muscle aches.
NOTE: If an unexplained illness with a fever develops after having any exposure to a tick. Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
DO NOT:
- Squeeze the tick.
- Pour kerosene, nail polish, soap or rubbing alcohol on the tick.
- Rub Vaseline on the tick.
- Attempt to burn the tick with a match or cigarette butt.
Once a tick is removed it should be placed it in a hard leak proof plastic container with rubbing alcohol to be identified by a tick expert. FREE tick identification is available at CUPHD at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign; Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm.
Although ticks and the prospect of contracting a tick-borne illness is a concern, there is no need to avoid the woods or the outdoors. People and pets can still enjoy a healthy summer complete with all their favorite outdoor pastimes as long as proper and easy preventative measures are taken.
For additional information on ticks, tick-borne diseases or free tick identification for Champaign County residents, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###
Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District applaud local measures to improve overall community health.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) recognized five community water systems for maintaining state mandated fluoride levels every month in 2007. State recommended fluoride levels are 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million, in standard drinking water.
The community water systems recognized included:
- Illinois American Water – Champaign: 24 consecutive years
- Sangamon Valley Public Water District: 9 consecutive years
- Ludlow Water Department: 2007
- Royal Water Department: 2007
- Sadorus Water Department: 2007
- Honorable Mention – Ogden Water Department: 11 out of 12 months in 2007
“Water Fluoridation is a proven way to prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health for both children and adults,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “CUPHD appreciates the care that these local water companies are taking to ensure better oral health for the members of their communities.”
Scientific studies have found that people living in communities with fluoridated water have fewer cavities than those living where the water is not fluoridated. Community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable and safe way to provide protection from tooth decay and CUPHD commends those communities who fulfill the state mandated levels of fluoride in their water systems.
Fluoride in drinking water helps improve the quality of life through less tooth decay, reduced time lost from school and work, and less money spent to restore, remove or replace decayed teeth. In Illinois, 99 percent of those served by public water systems receive the benefit of fluoridated drinking water compared to the current national average of 66 percent. Fluoride is found naturally in water, but in many communities the amount of the mineral is too low and does not meet the required standards. Water operators must add fluoride to provide optimal health benefits to their communities. Of the 1,840 water supplies in Illinois, 859 systems adjust fluoride levels. The average cost is about 50 cents per person per year. A small cost when compared to the savings in dental treatment. Water fluoridation currently benefits more than 200 million Americans, 12.4 million in Illinois.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers preventative and restorative procedures and simple extractions at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220.
For more information on the importance of Fluoride in water or any CUPHD dental clinics or programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###
CUPHD Polls Focus Group of Champaign County Residents About Smoke-free Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Polls Focus Group of Champaign County Residents About Smoke-free Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and partners focus on the successes of Smoke-free Illinois in celebration of World No Tobacco Day 2008
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has partnered with the American Cancer Society, C-U Smoke-free Alliance, Champaign County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Parkland College, and the Prairie Center Health Systems to promote World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2008. The campaign, which focuses on the question “Why do you like Smoke-free Illinois?,” will be featured on MTD buses and movie screens at Savoy 16 starting May 30, 2008.
The quotes and photos feature six different Champaign County residents including:
- “Papa” George – Champaign Restaurant Owner: “A smoke-free Illinois is a healthier, tastier reality!”
- Anne Robin – University of Illinois Physician: “I like Smoke-free Illinois because my patients and I can all breathe better!”
- Ed – Local Champaign Musician: “I think this is the best thing to happen for musicians in this community in a long time!”
- Mabinty – Parkland College Student: “I love it! I think it is a great step towards helping people stop smoking, promote better health and even save money.”
- Abbey – Mahomet Student: “Smoke-free Illinois helps me stay smokefree!”
- Pam – Dental Clinic Administrative Assistant: “It motivated me to quit smoking for me and my family and helped us start a better lifestyle!”
“The response from the project poll was overwhelmingly positive,” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for CUPHD, “It was difficult to choose only six quotes for the WNTD 2008 campaign. Although Smoke-free Illinois has only been in effect for a short time, about six months, it has truly changed people’s lives.”
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes about 5 million deaths a year to tobacco use, a figure expected to rise to about 10 million deaths a year by 2020, with 7 million of these deaths occurring in developing countries.
Tobacco is the only legal consumer product that kills one third to one half of those who use it as intended by its manufacturers, with its victims dying on average 15 years prematurely.
For more information about the World No Tobacco Day 2008, smoking cessation programs at CUPHD, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-3527961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###