Press Releases
Year
C-UPHD Alerts Public to Widespread cases of Shigellosis in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2015
Contact
Rachella Thompson-Brown, Communicable Disease Investigator
(217) 531-5361
Awais Vaid,
Epidemiologist (217) 531-5360
C-UPHD Alerts Public to Widespread cases of Shigellosis in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Wash Their Hands Often to Prevent the Spread of the Disease
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (C-UPHD) is alerting community residents of widespread increase in shigellosis in Champaign County. Since January of 2015, C-UPHD has been alerted to 20 lab confirmed cases of shigellosis. CUPHD has requested that the medical community and emergency departments increase testing and treatment of shigellosis. C-UPHD has notified and sent informational letters to Champaign County daycares, educational facilities, pools, day camps, and restaurants.
Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. The diarrhea is often bloody. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5-7 days. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others.
When someone develops diarrhea, they should be excluded promptly from work or school and if the diarrhea does not resolve quickly contact your physician to get tested. Testing is imperative to help prevent the spread in social situations such as school, daycamp, and swimming pools. Individuals must be symptom- free for 48 hours before they can return to social situations.
Most Shigella infections are the result of bacterium spreading from the stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another. This happens when basic hygiene and hand washing habits are inadequate. The spread of Shigella can be stopped by frequent and careful hand washing with soap and warm water. Hand washing among children should be frequent and supervised by an adult.
CUPHD encourages the pubic to utilize the following steps to prevent the spread of shigellosis:
- Wash hands with soap carefully and frequently, especially after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing foods and beverages.
- Dispose of soiled diapers properly.
- Disinfect diaper changing areas after using them.
- Keep children with diarrhea out of social settings until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
- Supervise hand washing of toddlers and small children after they have used the bathroom.
- Do not prepare foods and beverages for other when ill with diarrhea.
- Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes or untreated pools.
Proper hand washing should include the following steps:
- Wet your hands and apply soap.
- Rub hands together vigorously to lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue washing for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”- twice!).
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry hands using a single use paper towel or air dryer.
- If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door to avoid contaminating your clean hands.
For more information, please contact C-UPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit our website at www.c-uphd.org.
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Jesse White to Present Certificate of Support
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2015
Contact
Organ/Tissue Donor Program
(217) 827-5945 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Jesse White to Present Certificate of Support
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Recognized for Organ/Tissue Donation Support
Champaign, IL – Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, will present a Certificate of Support to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) for their support of the Organ /Tissue Donor program on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The event will be held in the main conference room at CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign, at 10:00 AM.
April is National Donate Life® Month. According to Life Goes On, there are currently more than 5.7 million people registered to become organ/tissue donors in Illinois; however, more than 5,000 are on the waiting list and about 300 people die each year waiting for an organ transplant. More than 25 people can benefit from single donor.
Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age or health and medical history. Family consent is not necessary for those 18 years of age and older. The Organ/Tissue program lists the following to be considered for donation: organs include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines; tissues include skin, bone, corneas, tendons, heart valves, saphenous veins, blood and bone marrow.
On-site donor registration will be available at the event.
For more information or to register to be an organ and tissue donor, go to www.lifegoeson.com.
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Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2015
Contact
(217) 531-2932 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
Join the Champaign County Medical Reserve Corp and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for a Fun and Educational Event
Champaign, IL – The Champaign County Medical Reserve Corps (CCMRC),
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians have teamed up to host two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and education event on Sunday, April 26, 2015. The event will be held at the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign and the Rantoul Community Service Center located at 520 E. Wabash in Rantoul from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
This event offers an opportunity for dog and cat owners who may not otherwise be able to provide vet care a more affordable option. The cost of the rabies vaccination plus the county registration fee ranges from $15 - $26. Up to 75 pre-registered individuals are guaranteed a spot. Walk-ins are welcome and will be seen after those who are registered.
The clinic will also provide education on diseases that pets can spread to humans. CCMRC provides outreach regarding such diseases, practices intake and vaccinations, and implements low-cost vaccination clinics to assist with community preparedness and resiliency.
To register for the clinic, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S2RRBPZ.
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