FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bat Near Newman Hall Tests Positive for Rabies

Anyone who may have had contact with the bat should call CUPHD immediately; treatment is highly effective when started early. 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has confirmed rabies in a bat found near St. John's Catholic Newman Center (commonly known as Newman Hall) on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The bat was found on September 30 near the Armory Avenue entrance and tested positive on October 1.

Anyone who touched the bat, was bitten or scratched by it, or may have been in the same room with it while asleep should call CUPHD at 217-352-7961 for further consultation. Pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their pet may have had contact with the bat.

The risk of rabies to the public is low and no human exposures have been identified so far.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable. It is commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies can also spread when a rabid animal’s saliva enters an open wound or the eyes, nose, or mouth. Bat bites can be extremely small, so treatment should be given if there has been physical contact with a bat and a bite cannot be ruled out.

CUPHD advises residents to take the following protective measures:

• Avoid wild and stray. Do not feed or touch wild animals or stray dogs and cats.
• Vaccinate your pets. Ensure dogs, cats, and other pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Immediately wash bites or scratches with soap and water for 15 minutes.
• Seek medical care urgently if you may have been exposed to rabies. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

If a bat is found at home, do not touch it bare-handed and do not release it if it may have had contact with a person or pet. Follow the CDC guidance on safely capturing a bat, then call the Champaign County Animal Control to arrange testing. If you cannot safely capture the bat, call animal control for assistance.

Additional information on rabies can be found at: Illinois Department of Public Health: Rabies CDC: About Rabies

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CUPHD Urges Residents to Get Vaccinated Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season

Vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV available now for the 2026–2027 Season 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reminding residents that COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines are now available for the 2026–2027 season. As the community prepares for the fall and winter months, CUPHD urges residents to vaccinate themselves and their loved ones against these potentially serious illnesses.

CUPHD will have limited availability of flu and COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only for uninsured and underinsured individuals. To schedule an appointment, residents can call 217-531-4317. CUPHD can bill most insurance plans; however, no one will be turned away due to being uninsured or underinsured. People with Medicare should visit a pharmacy or contact their primary care physician for services. Individuals can also visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Vaccine Locator tool to find nearby locations offering all vaccines.

CUPHD follows guidance issued by IDPH, which has endorsed immunization recommendations from the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine protects against the most prevalent variants currently leading to infections and hospitalizations across the U.S. Vaccination also helps lower the risk of Long COVID, which can develop and persist for months after an acute infection. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:

• all children ages 6–23 months; all children ages 2–18 years with at least one risk factor for severe disease; and children whose parents or guardians want them to get a COVID-19 vaccine;
• all pregnant individuals, including after delivery and during breastfeeding;
• all adults.

Flu Vaccine Recommendation

For most people, a single dose of the flu vaccine each season is sufficient. It is advised that everyone 6 months of age and older receive the flu shot, with September and October being the optimal months for vaccination.

RSV Immunization Recommendations

RSV immunization is recommended for:

• pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, from September 1 through March 1, if not previously vaccinated;
• infants under 8 months old without maternal RSV vaccine protection, entering their first RSV season;
• children ages 8 through 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease, entering their second RSV season;
• adults ages 50 through 74 at increased risk of severe RSV disease, if not previously vaccinated;
• adults age 75 and older, if not previously

For more information on respiratory virus vaccination guidelines, visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization.html.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CUPHD Hosts Car Seat Inspection Events on September 14 and 21 to Promote Child Passenger Safety

Certified Technicians will Check Car Seats for Proper Installation and Provide Safety Education for Parents and Caregivers 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is hosting a car seat inspection event on Monday, September 14, and Monday, September 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the north parking lot garage of 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. Certified child passenger safety technicians and instructor-proxy technicians will provide parents and caregivers with complimentary guidance on the proper installation and use of car seats. No appointment is necessary.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety Week, which takes place September 20–26 this year, remains an important opportunity for families to ensure their children’s safety in vehicles. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children, and NHTSA research shows that 46% of car seats are misused. In 2025, 94% of car seats seen at CUPHD were misused and as of September 2026, 100% have been misused.

Common issues include placing children in the wrong type of seat for their age and size, as well as improper installation, both of which leave children vulnerable to injury in a crash.

"Most parents do what they can but are still unsure," said Christina Ladage. "So, they may be surprised to find out their children aren't as secure as they think. We want to help caregivers ensure their children are safe."

During the inspection, visitors will spend approximately 30 minutes with a certified technician. Technicians will verify that children are in the appropriate seats for their ages and sizes, confirm proper installation, and emphasize the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer to receive recall notifications.

For those unable to attend, car seat inspections are offered on the second Monday of each month at CUPHD, except on holidays. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 217-353-4932. Additional inspection events can also be found by visiting www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#install-inspection.

In support of child safety, CUPHD’s Maternal and Child Health division is holding a car seat donation drive. An Amazon wish list is available at https://a.co/8de7909, and donated car seats will be provided to low-income families in need. These families will also receive guidance on proper car seat installation. Donations may also be dropped off in person at the WIC window in the main office lobby.

For more information on child car seat safety, as well as to find other car seat inspection events, visit www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat.

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