Press Releases
Year
First Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2009
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health
(217) 531-2908
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
First Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Simple Precautions
Champaign, IL – A mosquito sample recently collected in Champaign County has tested positive for West Nile virus. Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began on May 1 and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) at 217-373-7900, to determine if the bird meets established criteria required for testing.
“The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District routinely samples local mosquitoes and birds. CUPHD realizes that West Nile virus is a concern for our community, but would like to stress that individuals can avoid West Nile virus by taking personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.” said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. “CUPHD also encourages residents to be proactive with mosquito control by reducing the number of mosquito breeding sites near their homes.”
Last year 28 of the state’s 102 counties were found to have a West Nile virus positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 20 human cases, including one death, of West Nile disease were reported in Illinois in 2008. There were no cases of West Nile virus found in Champaign County in 2008.
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. Symptoms of West Nile virus 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 virus 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, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 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, gutters, old tires and any other receptacles. Contact CUPHD at 217-373-7900 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.
For more information about Mosquito Surveillance and West Nile virus programs or other CUPHD programs and services call 217-352-7961 or visit the web at www.cuphd.org.
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First Confirmed Case of H1N1 in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2009
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
First Confirmed Case of H1N1 in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Stay Home When Sick.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting the first laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 in Champaign County. The individual has been treated by a local physician and is recovering at home. The age of the person is being reported as between 5-24 years. Persons suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, or immune-deficiencies, or who may be pregnant should contact their health care provider at the first sign of a fever.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. CUPHD asks citizens to take “individual responsibility” to stop the spread of H1N1 flu and utilize the following everyday steps to protect both their health and the health of their community at large:
- Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or elbow when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
For more information about H1N1 flu, visit the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org. Additional resources are also available at www.stock2forflu.com and www.champcoprepares.com
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Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009
Contact
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
Local Communities May Lose Essential Public Health Services
Champaign, IL - A press conference addressing the local health department funding crisis will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the main conference room at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District located at 201 Kenyon Road in Champaign. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department, Vermilion County Health Department, Ford-Iroquois Health Department, and Douglas County Health Department will convene this special press conference to announce their combined concerns on potential State budget cuts and the adverse effects on essential public health services in local communities.
Included in the proposed State budget cuts is the Local Health Protection Grant, which supports all local health departments with the costs associated with critical health protection programs including food safety inspections and infectious disease surveillance. The current subsidy to local health departments in Illinois is approximately $17 million, or just over $1.42 per capita statewide. Any reduction of funding in this grant would result in the elimination or suspension of many public health protection services that many communities rely heavily upon.
Current economic challenges have resulted in an increased demand for services provided by local health departments including Maternal & Child Health programs, immunizations, health screenings, and access to dental care. Public health programs are integral in providing a safety net system for families at risk, while providing leadership in responding to the health needs of their communities at large.
“Public Health provides essential services to everyone in Illinois” said, Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD). “The proposed State budget cuts illustrate a distinct short-sighted view by Illinois legislators, especially in the wake of the current global pandemic. We implore legislators to collaborate on alternative fiduciary solutions which will not jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of every man, woman and child in Illinois.”
The State of Illinois is facing some extreme challenges in the development of a financial plan for Fiscal Year 2010. In this era of dwindling state resources, any proposed spending policy should be based on established priorities. The protection of the health for all Illinois citizens must be included in those budget priorities.
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