Lincoln’s Challenge Academy Illness - Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2009

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

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

Lincoln’s Challenge Academy Illness - Update

Champaign, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)’s County Health Department Sanitarians are currently collaborating with Lincoln’s Challenge Academy (LCA), Illinois National Guard, and officials and representatives of the food service contractor in a detailed disinfecting of the LCA kitchen.  Although the incident is still under investigation, CUPHD officials believe that the likely pathogen responsible for the illness is a virus – not food poisoning. 

Lab results of food and patient specimens are expected later this week.  These lab results are expected to identify the pathogen to allow for better treatment and eradication.

CUPHD expects the disinfecting of the LCA kitchen to be completed by tomorrow, and plan to do a final inspection tomorrow to re-open the kitchen.  It is unknown whether the kitchen will be open in time to feed the cadets lunch, but should be operational for dinner.

“The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is very pleased with the steps that the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy has taken to control this incident,” said Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator at CUPHD.  “Their timely response potentially prevented the spread of the pathogen, and kept many otherwise healthy members of the LCA community from becoming ill.”

CUPHD would like to encourage other institutions to follow the example of Lincoln’s Challenge Academy by contacting Public Health immediately if they see an unusual number of any illnesses.  CUPHD would also like to encourage institutions to emphasize the importance of hand washing as the first line of defense against many illnesses.  CUPHD offers free hand-washing technique signs and hand washing workshops for interested parties.  For additional information, please call 217-531-2927.

For more information on CUPHD and its many programs, please contact CUPHD at (217) 3527961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.Stock2forFlu or www.c-uphd.org.

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