FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007

Contact
Jennifer Hall, TB Control Nurse
(217) 531-5358

Saturday, March 24, is World Tuberculosis Day

Champaign, IL – March 24^th is World TB Day, an annual observance meant to draw attention to a disease which is responsible for over 2 million deaths a year, worldwide.  According to the Centers for Disease Control:

• One-third of the world’s population is infected with tuberculosis (TB)
• 9 million people become ill with TB each year
• TB is the leading cause of death among HIV infected individuals

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is part of a worldwide effort to eradicate tuberculosis.  We are working to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in Champaign County.  TB testing is offered every week at 710 North Neil in Champaign, and we work in conjunction with local healthcare agencies to provide follow-up testing and care for clients with active TB.  Our nurses also perform TB testing in three local homeless shelters. 

CUPHD sees a few active cases of tuberculosis per year.  In 2006, we performed over 1,000 TB tests.  Of those, 30 tested positive.  Additional testing revealed that 2 of those individuals had active (contagious) TB.  CUPHD diligently monitors all clients with active TB to minimize transmission of the disease to others.  Left untreated, one person with active TB can infect 10-15 people per year!      

According to the Centers for Disease Control, TB disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities.  In 2005, 82% of all reported TB cases in the United States occurred in minorities.  Foreign-born individuals account for 55% of TB cases in the U.S.  In 2006 in Champaign County, that percentage was greater, with 100% of our cases being foreignborn.  This high percentage is an unusual increase from last year’s 66%.

Symptoms of pulmonary TB include a persistent, phlegm-producing cough that lasts more than three weeks, chest pain, and coughing up blood.  Other symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

There has been a global emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB).  XDR TB is resistant to almost all drugs currently used to treat TB.  Over 1 million world wide cases of XDR TB with a mortality rate of 50% were reported in 2004.  In 2006, there were 14,097 cases of TB reported in the United States – only 15 of those cases were XDR TB.  There have been no reported cases of XDR TB in Champaign County.     

Only through the vigilance of health authorities everywhere can the disease be checked and, it is hoped, eliminated throughout the world.

Champaign-Urbana Health District TB clinic at 710 N. Neil, Champaign:

Skin Tests: Mondays, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. or Tuesdays, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Test results are read the following Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. or Friday 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact CUPHD, Division of Infectious Disease Prevention & Management, (217) 239-7827.

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Download 2007-03-19-World-TB-Day-2007-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2007

Contact
Rachella Thompson
217-531-5361

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Responds To Multi-State Outbreak Of Peanut Butter- Related Salmonella Infections

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in addition to state health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a large, multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to the consumption of peanut butter.  The two brands of peanut butter currently linked to the outbreak are Peter Pan and Great Value.  The specific jars have product codes beginning with “2111”.

“CUPHD’s communicable disease investigator and epidemiologist are in constant communication with the Illinois Department of Public Health” says Vito Palazzolo, Administrator of CUPHD “Although there have been cases in Illinois, to date, there have been no confirmed cases of peanut butter-related salmonella infections in Champaign County.”

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes much of the food poisoning in the world, including an estimated 4 million cases in the United States, and 1,500-2,000 in Illinois each year.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.  The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.  However, in some persons the diarrhea can be so severe that the person needs medical attention.  The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are most likely to have complications.

Persons who suspect they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to contact their health care provider for testing, and contact Rachella Thompson, Communicable Disease Investigator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.  Testing involves providing a stool sample to test for the presence of Salmonella.

For more information on Salmonella and other related food-borne illnesses go to the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org.

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Download 2007-02-16-peanut-butter-Salmonella-outbreak-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2007

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Adopts National Identity For Local Public Health

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is one of thousands across the country that has adopted a new identity for local public health that communicates dedication to community health and safety. 

“The health department helps everyone in our community, every day” says Vito Palazzolo, Administrator of CUPHD “Yet, much of this work takes place outside of the public view. Adopting the national identity for local public health is part of a national initiative to ensure that people recognize, understand and use the services that public health offers.”

The identity stands for what public health does-and what public health achieves. The symbol of a three pointed shield and stylized plus illustrate a universal recognition associated with health, with protection and with growth. The three point symmetry reinforces the three core functions of public health that are conveyed in the words. The words Prevent. Promote. Protect. are a simple, elegant statement that embraces everything that public health accomplishes and differentiates public health as both a sentinel and responder.  The colors stand for integrity, authority and stability. They symbolize the legacy and steadfast qualities of public health.

“We hope that over time, the public will come to recognize the health department in the same way that it recognizes police, fire, EMS and other services that protect and respond to meet the community’s health and safety needs”, says Palazzolo.

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Download 2007-02-09-LOGO-PR