Press Releases
Year
Additional Cats Test Positive for Tularemia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2011
Contact
Awais Vaid, Epidemiologist
(217) 531-5360
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Additional Cats Test Positive for Tularemia
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Keep Cats Indoors to Help Minimize Tularemia
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging area residents to keep cats indoors to reduce the likelihood of contracting tularemia. An additional two cats have been confirmed to test positive for tularemia; one cat from Champaign and one from Urbana. Three cats from two households in Savoy were previously diagnosed with tularemia at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in July and September.
Four of the five cats have either died or been euthanized due to the onset of the disease. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals (especially rodents, rabbits and hares).
Cats may prey on rabbits and rodents and become infected or they may become infected through tick exposure. Cats may develop a variety of symptoms including high fever, mouth ulcers, depression, enlarged lymph nodes and behavioral changes including not eating. Persons whose cats have contact with the outdoors should take their pet into the veterinarian if they should develop these symptoms.
People may also contract tularemia developing sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough and weakness if they become infected with tularemia. People can become infected by handling pets or wild animals with tularemia, being bitten by ticks or by inhaling the organism. If you develop symptoms of tularemia see your health care provider.
To reduce the chances that your cat will become infected:
- Do not allow your cat to hunt outdoors
- Consult with your veterinarian to make sure your cat is protected from tick bites
- Report any unexplained large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to your local animal control
To reduce the chance that you or your family members will become infected:
- Wear tick protection when outdoors
- Do not mow over sick or dead animals
- Do not handle wild animals
- Cook wild game meat thoroughly before eating and use gloves when handling the animal and preparing the meat for cooking
- Take any pet with symptoms of tularemia to the veterinarian
If you have questions about tularemia in humans, please contact Awais Vaid, Epidemiologist, with CUPHD at (217) 531-5360 or your health care provider. If you are a cat owner or have questions about tularemia in animals, please contact your veterinarian. Visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/facts.asp or http://www.avma.org/public_health/biosecurity/tularemia_facts.aspfor additional information.
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September is National Preparedness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2011
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
September is National Preparedness Month
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Take Part during National Preparedness Month
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging citizens to take time during National Preparedness Month and prepare for potential disasters. A disaster can strike at any time and being prepared is the best way to help protect yourself and your family.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) recommends that all households have at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in their homes; one to two weeks is preferred if ample storage space is available. An emergency preparedness stockpile should contain drinking water, at least one gallon per person per day, non-perishable food supplies that are not high in salt, household emergency supplies such as a flashlight, portable radio, batteries and a manual can opener and medical supplies including prescription medications and a first aid kit. Don’t forget about extra supplies for pets too. Keep extra food, water and medications for pets as well.
Keep items in a place where you won’t “borrow” from the stockpile. A cool, dark place is ideal but don’t store food close to any solvents or cleaners. Keep supplies together in a box or plastic bin to avoid pests and humidity. Check your supplies once or twice a year. The APHA is encouraging the public to check their supplies through a Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign. It is recommended to check your supplies when the clocks change for daylight savings time. Check expiration dates and physically examine contents.
Creating an emergency kit doesn’t have to be expensive. Simply purchase one or two extra items each time you go to the store. Another option is to buy bulk products and split the cost with a family member, friend or co-worker.
For more preparedness information, visit any of the following websites:
www.aphagetready.org
www.stock2forflu.com
www.getreadyforflu.org/clocksstocks
www.c-uphd.org
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Increased West Nile Viral Activity in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2011
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health
(217) 373-7900
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Increased West Nile Viral Activity in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District/Champaign County Public Health Department Urges Residents to Continue to Take Precautions
Champaign, IL – Mosquito samples in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy and St. Joseph have all recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). “Although we are seeing cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are still active until the first hard freeze, so it is important for people to continue to protect themselves against mosquitoes,” said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)/Champaign County Public Health Department (CCPHD).
The best way to prevent WNV infection 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. Precautions include:
- Try to avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn, dusk and in the early evening.
- When weather permits, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Apply insect repellent that contains active ingredients which have been registered with the EPA. Consult a physician before using repellents 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. Empty water from bird baths, flowerpots, wading pools, pet dishes and swimming pool covers at least once or twice a week. Remove old tires and other items that could collect water. Contact CUPHD at (217) 373-7900 to report areas of stagnant water.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Only about two people in 10 who are infected with WNV will experience any illness. Illness from WNV is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness such as encephalitis, meningitis and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.
As of September 26, 2011, there have been 15 counties in Illinois reporting either a positive West Nile virus bird or mosquito pool and 10 human cases reported with one death. Champaign County has reported a positive West Nile virus bird and mosquito pools, but no human cases.
Additional information about WNV can be found on the CUPHD website at http://www.c-uphd.org/west-nile-virus.html.
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