Press Releases
Year
First 2015 Human West Nile Virus Deaths in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2015
Contact
Melaney Arnold – 217-558-0500
First 2015 Human West Nile Virus Deaths in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first two human West Nile virus related deaths in Illinois for 2015. The Cook County Department of Public Health reported a resident in their 90’s became ill at the end of August and has died. Separately, the Kendall County Health Department reported a resident in their 70’s became ill at the end of July and has died.
“Although we’re getting closer to the end of summer, you still can be at risk of getting West Nile virus,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “It’s important for everyone to continue taking precautions like wearing insect repellent and staying indoors between dusk and dawn.”
IDPH reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this year on August 19, 2015. Last year there were 44 human cases, including four deaths. Cases in human are underreported.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus.
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
Remember to take some simple precautions to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and protect yourself from being bitten. Precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
- REDUCE exposure: Minimize being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. If you go outside during these times, take precautions. Even if mosquito numbers seem low, it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit the virus.
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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.
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Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, such as old tires, buckets and other receptacles, or refresh the water in bird baths, flowerpots and wading pools every couple days.
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REPEL: When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
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REPORT: Report dead birds to your local health department. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government about areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found by logging onto www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/west-nile-virus.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2015
Contact
Melaney Arnold 217-558-0500
(217) 531-5369 /
Mumps Booster Shot Recommended for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Students
Illinois Department of Public Health, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and University address mumps outbreak
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), and McKinley Health Center are recommending students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive a booster shot of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as soon as possible, even if they have already received one or two previous MMR vaccinations.
“We continue to see new mumps infections in students at the University and are working to stop the spread,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah. “While most cases on campus have already received two doses of MMR, a third dose may help control the outbreak. Although the vaccine against mumps is extremely effective, it is not perfect. This is why it is important for those who can be vaccinated, to take this extra step and potentially help protect those around them.”
IDPH, CUPHD and McKinley Health Center recommend that students planning to take classes on the Urbana-Champaign campus in the fall to receive the booster vaccine as soon as possible from their local healthcare provider, local health department, health clinic, or pharmacy. Immunity takes two weeks to develop after receiving a vaccination.
In addition to the booster shot, it is important to practice good health habits to reduce the spread of disease, including washing your hands frequently with soap and water, not sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, or cigarettes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and minimizing close contact with people when sick.
A two-day special MMR vaccine clinic for students, staff and faculty will be held at the ARC Building on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th from 9 am to 3 pm. During that time, University of Illinois students who present a valid ID card will be eligible to obtain the vaccine at no cost, and CUPHD will provide free vaccinations to staff and faculty.
Information about future vaccination opportunities through McKinley Health Center will be posted at the McKinley website http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu. You can also “Like” Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Champaign County Prepares on FACEBOOK to keep up with the latest information related to public health. Information about mumps can be found on the IDPH website at www.dph.illinois.gov.
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Download 2015-08-04-Mumps-Outbreak-PR
National HIV Testing Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2015
Contact
Candi Crause Director of Infectious Disease Prevention & Management
(217) 531-5372 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
National HIV Testing Day
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to “Take the Test, Take Control”
Champaign, IL – National HIV Testing Day is this Saturday, June 27, 2015 and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages everyone to get tested.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 1.2 million people in the United States that are living with HIV with 50,000 new HIV infections each year in the United States. Almost one in seven people are unaware of their infection. Over half of young people between the ages of 13-24 living with HIV are unaware of their infection. On average, 1,800 people are diagnosed with HIV in Illinois each year.
CUPHD provides testing services Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 201 W. Kenyon Road and at 30 E. Green Street on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 PM in Champaign. CUPHD offers testing to anyone who is 12 years of age or older and recommends testing for:
- Men who have unprotected sex with other men
- Anyone who injects drugs and shares needles
- Anyone who has unprotected sex with an injection drug user
- Anyone who has a sexually transmitted disease
- Anyone who exchanges sex for money or drugs
CUPHD is also offering a new prevention option, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP is for people who are HIV negative, but who are at risk HIV infection. According to the CDC, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people by up to 92 percent.
For more information, contact the Infectious Disease division at 217-531-5365.
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