FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2007

Contact
Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease
(217) 531-5372 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

Jackson’s Ribs & Tips Could Save Your Life!

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with Jackson’s Ribs & Tips to Offer Free Prostate Screenings and Food to High Risk Population

Champaign, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has partnered with Jackson’s Ribs & Tips to provide access to free prostate screenings for men over the age of 40.  On Thursday, September 20, 2007 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, CUPHD will be at Jackson’s Ribs & Tips, located on First Street in Champaign, offering free on-site prostate screenings.  Participants will receive a coupon for free food at Jackson’s Ribs & Tips.  Breast cancer information will also be available for women over the age of 35 through the Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program facilitated by CUPHD.

CUPHD hopes that by offering free prostate screenings at the popular local gathering place, that more community members will take advantage of CUPHD’s various screening and health services, especially the high risk population, African American men.  African American men often avoid getting screened for prostate cancer longer than other ethnic groups, and African American men have higher prostate cancer mortality rates than any other group.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prostate cancer effects 1 in 6 men, and prostate cancer death rates are about 2.5 times higher among African American men than other ethnic groups.

“Many men are uncomfortable with traditional testing methods, and this causes them to avoid screening until it is apparent that something is wrong.  At the point when symptoms become obvious, it may be too late for treatment to be effective.” said Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Management at CUPHD.  “CUPHD uses a modern screening method that relies solely on a simple blood test.  It is easy, effective and clients will have their results mailed to them within 4-6 weeks.” CUPHD will privately perform all tests on their new state-of-the-art mobile unit outside Jackson’s Ribs & Tips.  Citizens are encouraged to participate in the quick test or to stop to meet the CUPHD team and receive information on any of the many other CUPHD programs and services, including breast cancer information from the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.

For those interested parties that may be unable to attend the event at Jackson’s Ribs & Tips, CUPHD offers a free Men’s Clinic every Monday from 4:00pm – 5:30pm at 201 West Kenyon Road.  No appointment is necessary.  For more information on the Men’s Clinic, please call 217-239-7827.

For more information about prostate screenings and other CUPHD programs and services, call 217-352-7961 or visit the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org.

###

Download 2007-09-18-PSA-at-Jacksons-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2007

Contact
Matthew Swearingen, Environmental Health
(217) 373-7900

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

First Positive Results for West Nile Virus Found in Mosquitoes in Champaign County

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Simple Precautions

Champaign, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), announced that mosquito samples collected at South Farms have been confirmed as the first positive test results in Champaign County this year for West Nile Virus.  The positive mosquito samples were collected by the Illinois Natural History Survey.  The two positive samples were found in the same location as a couple hundred negative samples.  There have been no positive mosquito samples or positive birds collected by CUPHD.  There have been no reported positive human cases in Champaign County.

“CUPHD realizes that West Nile Virus is a concern for our community and would like to remind our citizens to take precautionary steps to avoid mosquito exposure.” said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health

District.  “The bulk of mosquito exposure can be reduced by simply remembering the “five D’s”:  Drain the water from potential mosquito breeding sites, minimize the time spent outdoors between Dusk and Dawn, Dress properly, and apply mosquito repellents containing DEET.”

Last year 77 of the state’s 102 counties were found to have a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case.  A total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 deaths were reported last year.

West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.  Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of the illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.  Only about two out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness.  It is estimated that only 20% of those infected will develop West Nile Fever, and of those only 1 in 150 will develop a more severe form of the disease.

Symptoms of West Nile are usually mild and include fever, headache, body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.  Serious illness, such as encephalitis, meningitis, and death are possible in extreme cases.  Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.  Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.  Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present.

• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellants on infants.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.  Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

Public health officials believe that a hot summer could increase mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus.

The cities of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy and the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign work with the Medical Entomology program with the Illinois Natural History Survey to conduct mosquito and West Nile Virus surveillance and management.

If you have any questions regarding mosquito or virus monitoring, please contact the Environmental Health Division of CUPHD at 217-373-7900 or Dr. Richard Lampman at the Illinois Natural History survey at 217-333-1186.

For more information about CUPHD's programs and services, visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org or call 217-352-7961.

###

Download 2007-09-13-Positive-Mosquito-Sample-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2007

Contact
John Dwyer, Emergency Preparedness Planner
(217) 531-2932

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

Equation for Disaster:  High Temperatures + High Humidity = High Risk for Heat Related Illness

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Watch for Symptoms of Heat Related Illness in High Risk Populations Such as Children and the Elderly.

Champaign, IL – Summer is reportedly the time for “fun in the sun”, however when high temperatures combine with high humidity the “fun” may be short lived.  The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges the public to watch for the symptoms of heat related illness, and to take precautions to keep their families and communities safe.

Heat related illness can take many forms from a mild case of Heat Exhaustion to a more serious and life-threatening case of Heat Stroke.  Heat related illnesses occur when the body becomes unable to control its temperature.  The body’s temperature rises rapidly and the body losses its ability to perspire and cannot cool down.  Rising to temperatures of 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, heat related illness can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Signs & Symptoms of Heat Related Illness:

• An extremely high body temperature of 103° F or higher
• Red, hot and dry skin (no signs or perspiration)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing Headache
• Dizziness or confusion
• Nausea

Never leave children, the elderly or pets in a parked car – even for a few minutes with the windows partially open.  The metal of the vehicle conducts and concentrates the intense heat and brain damage or even death can occur from the rapid rise of temperature in the vehicle.  Children, the elderly and pets are especially susceptible to heat related illness due to a variety of factors including but not limited to the inability to adjust to sudden changes in temperature, lack of access to adequate fluids, tendency to retain more body heat, and over activity or exertion leading to dehydration.

Precautions to Avoid Heat Related Illness:

• Stay hydrated. Drink at least 48-64 ounces of cool non-caffeinated and nonalcoholic beverages (caffeine & alcohol are diuretics and will increase dehydration).  Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Reduce the amount of activity in hottest parts of the day. If you must be active during those times, strive to take frequent breaks in a shady or cool area.
• Wear light colored and lightweight clothes.
• Take a cool shower or sponge bath if you being feeling over heated.
• Retreat to an air-conditioned environment if you begin feel overly warm. If you do not have air-conditioning, consider visiting a mall, grocery store or other public place to cool off.

If you or someone you know shows signs of a heat related illness, have someone call for medical assistance while you begin the cooling process:

• Take the person to an air-conditioned, cool or shady area.
• Cool the person rapidly by spraying with cold water form a shower or garden hose.
• Monitor the body temperature carefully until the temperature drops below 101° - 102° F.
• Give plenty or cool (not cold) non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to drink.
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Anyone can suffer a heat related illness.  CUPHD urges every one to take precautions in the summer heat, and to check on children and the elderly frequently.

For more information, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit our website at www.c-uphd.org.

###

Download 2007-08-09-Heat-Stroke-Danger