Press Releases
Year
Increased West Nile Viral Activity in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2012
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
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 take precautions
Champaign, IL – Several mosquito samples in Champaign and Urbana have recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). “During hot and dry conditions WNV will amplify between the bird and Culex mosquito populations, and unfortunately with the weather we have been experiencing, this is taking place earlier than the previous couple of years,” said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)/Champaign County Public Health Department.
The best way to prevent WNV infection or any other mosquito-borne illness is to prevent mosquito bites and to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
Prevent mosquito bites.
- 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 mosquito breeding sites.
- 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. Maintain gutters and swimming pools. 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 July 17, 2012, there have been 24 counties in Illinois reporting either a positive West Nile virus bird or mosquito sample. No human cases have been reported.
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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High Temperatures Mean Extra Precaution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2012
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
High Temperatures Mean Extra Precaution
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Watch for Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness
Champaign, IL –The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges everyone 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 ranging 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 looses its ability to perspire and cool down. Rising to temperatures of 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include:
- An extremely high body temperature of 103° F or higher
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no signs of perspiration)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea
Never leave children, elderly persons, 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, the tendency to retain more body heat, dehydration due to over activity or exertion, and the lack of access to adequate fluids.
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 during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be active during those times, try 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 begin feeling over heated.
- Retreat to an air-conditioned environment if you begin to 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 cold water from a shower or garden hose.
- Monitor the body temperature carefully until the temperature drops below 101°102° F.
- Give plenty of 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 everyone to take precautions in the summer heat and to check on children, the elderly, and pets frequently. CUPHD is a kid-friendly cooling center and is open from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. CUPHD offers free breakfast, snacks, and lunch for kids under 18, educational TV, free Wi-Fi, coloring stations, and books for kids.
For more information, please contact CUPHD at (217) 531-2932 or visit www.c-uphd.org.
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First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2012
Contact
Jeff Blackford, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2919 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions
Champaign, IL – A dead bird collected last week in the City of Champaign has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), along with an unconfirmed mosquito pool collected in the City of Urbana. “As mosquito season progresses, it is important for people to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites,” said Jeff Blackford, Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).
Prevent mosquito bites.
- 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 mosquito breeding sites.
- 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. Maintain gutters and swimming pools. 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 June 19, 2012, there have been 13 counties in Illinois reporting either a positive West Nile virus bird or mosquito pool. No human cases have been reported.
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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