Press Releases
Year
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 11 at Parldand College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2017
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 11 at Parldand College
The Illini District Delttal Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Parklmul College Dental Hygiene and SmileHealthy Participate in Give Kids a Smile@
Champaign, IL The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day on Saturday, March I l, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Parkland College Dental Hygiene Clinic located at 2400 W. Bradley, Champaign. The event is part of the Children's Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association@ (ADA) that provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income families. This year GKAS celebrates 15 year of smiles.
On March 1 1, local dentists and hygienists are taking the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering time and services for GKAS and providing free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants, as needed, to any child between the ages of I and 17. The oral health fair will offer visits with the Tooth Fairy and the Delta Dental Tooth Wizard, interactive oral health instruction, and tips on reducing dental anxiety. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child. There are no income or residency requirements to receive services at the fair.
Jason Foreman, D.D.S., a local endodontist participating in the event, stated "Give Kids a Smile Day is incredibly important because it opens doors for children to get necessary dental examinations who otherwise might not have access to such care. At those visits, our participating providers will aim to educate and emphasize the importance of oral health for children and their families. We aim to initiate a patient-dental home relationship so that regular oral health care can become a priority for all of the participating families."
The Illini District Dental Society partners with Parkland Dental Hygiene, SmileHealthy, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Children's Dental Clinic to provide Give Kids a Smile in Champaign.
For more information, please contact SmileHealthy at (217) 359-7404 or the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District Children's Dental Clinic at (217) 531-4538 or visit www.c-uphd.org.
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CUPHD will Hold Special Saturday WIC Clinics in March
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2017
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of MCH
(217) 531-4308 /
CUPHD will Hold Special Saturday WIC Clinics in March
Weekend hours make WIC convenient for working families
Champaign, IL – Every Saturday in March the Champaign‐Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will hold special Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic hours. Saturday visit hours are a great option for working families that find it difficult to schedule WIC visits during weekdays.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides nutrition counseling and healthy food to low‐income pregnant women, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC is effective in improving the health of women and their infants, and it provides comprehensive services to families. In addition to nutritional support, CUPHD family case managers support women through their pregnancies and their baby’s first year in all aspects of their lives.
“CUPHD holds Saturday WIC clinics two months each year in the hope that we can serve families that can’t come in on weekdays,” said Brandon Meline, CUPHD Director of Maternal and Child Health. “We want WIC to be accessible to all low‐income women and children in Champaign County.”
The Saturday clinics will be held March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th from 10 am‐1 pm at the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District. The clinic is walk‐in (no appointments are necessary). Families should bring their children, identification, and proof of income in order to sign up for WIC.
WIC is a federal program established in 1972. Research has shown that women who participate in the program during their pregnancies have lower healthcare costs, longer gestation periods, higher birth weights, and lower infant mortality.
For more information, call (217) 531‐4319 or go to www.c‐uphd.org/wic.html.
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Illinois Department of Public Health Reports Six Cases Of Viral Illness Linked To Ratteries General public at low risk of infection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2017
Illinois Department of Public Health Reports Six Cases Of Viral Illness Linked To Ratteries General public at low risk of infection
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting six cases of Seoul virus in individuals who had direct exposure to rats in two different Illinois ratteries. Ratteries are facilities where rats are bred. A rattery in Wisconsin purchased rats from the two Illinois ratteries and two Wisconsin residents have also tested positive for Seoul virus. Results of laboratory testing of rats at these facilities are pending.
IDPH is working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health departments to investigate the source of these Seoul virus infections, coordinate testing, and prevent possible future cases. IDPH has contacted both Illinois ratteries to identify people who may have been exposed and to follow up on any additional potential illnesses. The ratteries are located in north-west Illinois and east-central Illinois. Neither rattery is currently selling rats.
“Seoul virus is not known to be transmitted from person to person. Therefore, the general public is at extremely low risk,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Out of an abundance of caution, we want to let the public know in the event they have recently purchased rats from an affected facility and become ill.”
Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus, is carried only by brown or Norway rats. Other pets and animals cannot be infected. Only a few cases of Seoul virus have been reported in the U.S. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, blurred vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. In severe cases, infection can also lead to acute renal disease. However, not all people infected with the virus experience symptoms. Five of the six Illinois cases showed no signs of illness.
As the investigation continues, more ratteries or people who have purchased rats at affected ratteries may be identified. Therefore, it is important that people take precautions to avoid becoming infected.
If you are concerned about a recent rat purchase, make sure to follow good pet hygiene practices. Contact your local health department or health care provider if you recently purchased or handled rats from an Illinois rattery and are experiencing symptoms of Seoul virus.
As with other diseases carried by rodents, Seoul virus is transmitted to people from direct contact with rat urine or feces, contaminated materials like bedding, and possibly by aerosolized feces, urine, or saliva. It can also be transmitted through a bite from an infected rat.
To avoid becoming ill with diseases carried by rodents:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your pets or areas where yourpets have been.
- Keep your small pets and their cages out of kitchens or other areas where food is served.
- Pet cages, bedding, toys, feed or water containers should be cleaned away from areas wherefood is served or people may bathe.
- Use gloves and a face mask for cleaning.
- Avoid creating dust from fecal materials by wetting down bedding and disinfecting it.
- Do not sweep or vacuum up rodent urine, droppings, or nests as this creates airborne particles.
- Cover cuts and scratches before handling your pet.
- Don’t keep small pets in a child’s bedroom, especially children younger than five years.
- Don’t snuggle or kiss small pets, touch your mouth after handling small pets, or eat or drinkaround them.
For additional information about safe handling and cleaning practices, go to https://www.cdc.gov /rodents/cleaning/index.html.
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