Press Releases
Year
Un caso confirmado de sarampión en Illinois
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PARA PUBLICACIÓN IMMEDIATA
27 de Enero de 2015
CONTACTO:
Melaney Arnold 217-836-6438 (IDPH)
Amy Poore-Terrell 708-906-1271 (CCDPH)
Un caso confirmado de sarampión en Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – El director del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois confirmó hoy un caso de sarampión en Illinois. Un residente de los suburbios del condado de Cook se enfermó a mediados de enero y los resultados positivos de sarampión regresaron este fin de semana.
“Este caso en Illinois sirve para recordar la importancia de las vacunas,” dijo el direcor Shah. “Con solo 10 casos reportados en Illinois en los últimos cinco años, muchos padres de familia no han tenido la experiencia de la grave enfermedad causada por el sarampión. Las vacunas son imprescindibles para proteger no solo a cada niño, sino a la comunidad entera.”
El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Cook (CCDPH por sus siglas en inglés), con la ayuda del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois (IDPH por sus siglas en inglés), está localizando e informando a todos los posibles contactos que podrían haber estado expuestos.
“El sarampión es un virus altamente contagioso que se puede contraer con tan solo estar presente en el mismo cuarto con una persona infectada”, dijo la doctora Rachel Rubin, Oficial Médico Superior de Salud Pública de CCDPH. “Para eliminar la posibilidad de propagación, es imperativo informar al público de cualquier posible exposición a los residentes”.
Las siguientes personas en Illinois pueden haber estado expuestas:
- Pacientes que estuvieron en la sala de emergencia del hospital Northwestern Community Hospital (800 West Central Road, Arlington Heights) el 14 de enero entre las 7 PM y 12:30 AM y el 17 de enero entre las 4 PM y 10:30 PM.
- Clientes presentes en el Supermercado Guzmán (1611 North Baldwin Road, Palatine) el 12 y 13 de enero entre las 5:30 PM y 8 PM.
- Pacientes y visitantes de Vista Clinic (1585 North Rand Road, Palatine) entre las 12:30 PM y las 4 PM, el 16 de enero.
Toda persona que pueda haber estado expuesta y que presenta síntomas de fiebre de 101 grados Fahrenheit o más, tos, secreción nasal y enrojecimiento de ojos, con o sin sarpullido, debe llamar al Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Cook at 847-818-4020 y a su propio médico. Estos individuos no deben ir al consultorio del médico ni a la sala de emergencia para evitar infección a otros.
El sarampión es un virus respiratorio altamente contagioso que causa fiebre, dolor y enrojecimiento de ojos, secreción nasal, tos y un sarpullido característico. El sarampión puede causar graves complicaciones incluyendo neumonía, encefalitis y muerte. El sarampión se transmite a través de la tos y estornudos de la persona infectada y puede permanecer en el aire y superficies hasta por dos horas. Las personas infectadas son contagiosas desde cuatro días antes de aparecer el sarpullido hasta cuatro días después.
La vacuna es sumamente efectiva para prevenir la infección de sarampión y es obligatoria para todos los niños de edad escolar en Illinois.
Hasta ahora, no se ha identificado ninguna conexión entre este caso de sarampión y el brote de sarampión en varios estados asociado con Disneylandia.
Para mayor información sobre el sarampión, visite http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmeasles.htm.
One Confirmed Case of Measles in Illinois
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2015
Contact
Melaney Arnold 217-836-6438 (IDPH)
Amy Poore-Terrell 708-906-1271 (CCDPH)
One Confirmed Case of Measles in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav Shah today confirmed one case of measles in Illinois. A suburban Cook County resident became ill in mid-January and test results were positive for measles.
“This case in Illinois is a reminder of the importance of immunizations,” said Director Shah. “With only 10 cases reported in Illinois over the past five years, many parents may not have experienced the severe illness that can be caused by measles. Immunizations are vital to protect not only each child, but the community as a whole.”
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), with assistance from IDPH, is conducting contact tracing and informing all potential contacts of their possible exposure.
“Measles is highly contagious and a person with no immunity can become infected simply by being in the same room with someone who has the disease,” said CCDPH Senior Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Rachel Rubin. “To eliminate the potential spread of the disease, it is imperative that we notify the public of any possible exposures to residents.”
Potential exposures in Illinois may have occurred to:
- Patients and visitors at the Northwest Community Hospital emergency room (800 West Central Road, Arlington Heights) on January 14th from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and January 17th from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Customers at the Supermercado Guzman (1611 North Baldwin Road, Palatine) on January 12th and 13th between 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Patients and visitors at the Vista Clinic (1585 North Rand Road, Palatine) on January 16th between 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A person who was potentially exposed and is experiencing symptoms a fever of 101 F or higher, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without rash, should call the Cook County Department of Public Health at 847-818-4020 as well as their healthcare provider. These individuals should not go to their doctor’s office or the emergency room as they could infect others around them.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and a characteristic rash. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air and on surfaces up to two hours. Infected people are contagious from four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards.
Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles infection and is required for all Illinois school children who are not exempt due to religious or medical reasons.
At this time, there is no identified link between this measles case and the multi-state outbreak of measles associated with Disneyland.
For more information about measles, visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmeasles.htm.
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Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2015
Contact
Jennifer Simburger, Environmental Health Specialist I
(217) 531-2929 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Test Their Homes with a Radon Test Kit
CHAMPAIGN, IL – January is National Radon Action Month and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages citizens to learn more about the threat of radon and to test their homes for the presence of radon. CUPHD has radon test kits available for $10. Test kits may be picked up at the Environmental Health division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign; kits are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to indoor radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released into the air from decaying matter in rocks, soil and water. While levels in outdoor air are relatively harmless, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. Radon is an invisible threat; it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The only way to detect radon is to perform a radon test.
<>The test kits provided by CUPHD are safe and easy to use. Simply open the test kit, and place the radon detector in a designated area in the home for a minimum of 48 hours, with windows and doors closed. After 48 hours, place the detector in the enclosed postage-paid envelope and send it to a lab for a free analysis. The lab will then inform you of your radon test results.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher should be mitigated. The national average home reading is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average outdoor reading is about 0.4 pCi/L. Forty-eight percent of homes tested in Champaign County have high radon levels.
Radon presents a serious health risk, but it can be controlled easily and cost effectively. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family. Test your home and protect your health today.
For more information on radon or radon test kits, please contact CUPHD at (217) 373-7900 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org/radon.
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