Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Champaign, IL - The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urge everyone to prepare for severe weather. March 3-9, 2019 is Severe Weather Preparedness week in Illinois. Now is the time to prepare - before severe weather is predicted.

While there is nothing we can do to stop severe thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, or floods from developing, there are things that everyone can do to minimize the impacts of severe weather on our lives. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the following precautions can be taken to prepare for severe... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting two more cases of measles. The third case was in quarantine for the entire infectious period. The fourth case is pending genotyping results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All four of the measles cases are no longer infectious.

Most individuals are vaccinated routinely, in childhood, starting at age 1 (MMR, Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) and are not at high risk for infection. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated, including infants. Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is working with the Urbana Early Childhood School and Carle to identify potential contacts. If you were at any of these exposure sites, please contact public health or your healthcare provider for follow-up.

Individuals with symptoms of measles (fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) and an exposure should CALL their health care provider to discuss the... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting a second local case of measles. Most individuals are vaccinated routinely, in childhood, starting at age 1 (MMR, Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) and are not at high risk for infection. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated, including infants. Individuals unsure of their vaccine records should call their health care provider to check to see if they are fully vaccinated. Individuals with symptoms should CALL their health care provider to discuss the need for testing before presenting to the clinic. University of Illinois students who have symptoms should contact McKinley Health Center before presenting for... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health, is offering hepatitis A vaccine to people at the greatest risk of becoming infected in our community. Although there are currently no outbreaks in Illinois, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported hepatitis A outbreaks in states across the county, including neighboring states.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread from person-to-person through contaminated food or water. According to the CDC, the major risk factors associated with the recent outbreaks include drug use (injection and non- injections), homelessness, or... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is currently open the third Saturday of every month from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM to provide an option for working families that find it difficult to schedule visits during weekdays.

CUPHD offers Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic hours as well as provides an opportunity for school physicals and immunizations during the summer. The WIC clinics are walk-in (no appointments are necessary), and the school physicals and immunizations are by appointment from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Families should bring their children, identification, and proof of income in order to sign up for WIC, and immunization records and insurance information for physicals. Physical and immunization appointments are currently being accepted for August 18 and September 15, 2018 with immediate appointments currently available every weekday.... more...

The Kresge Foundation announced last week that Julie Pryde, Public Health Administrator, and Awais Vaid, Director of Planning and Research at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District have been selected to join a group of 40 public health leaders from around the country who will participate in the The Kresge Foundation's Emerging Leaders in Public Health initiative. The Emerging Leaders in Public Health Program was designed to provide public health leaders of county and local health departments opportunities to build additional knowledge and skills to tackle the challenges they face in their... more...

Heat-related illness can take many forms ranging from a mild case of heat exhaustion to a more serious and life-threatening case of heat stroke. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly and the body looses its ability to perspire and cool down. Rising to temperatures of 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include:... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will host C-U Smile on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. The event will provide free oral healthcare services to children ages 0-17.

C-U Smile will offer free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants, as needed, and will fulfill the dental requirement for school children entering grades K, 2, and 6. The oral health fair will offer visits with the Tooth Fairy, provide 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. Any adult accompanying a child may receive a free oral cancer... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be participating in a town hall meeting hosted by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago on Friday, January 26, 2018 focused on "Getting to Zero" (GTZ). The GTZ campaign aims to eliminate new HIV infections and reduce HIV mortality. CUPHD will host the event from 9:30 AM to Noon at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. This meeting is one of a series of meetings to be held across the state of Illinois to focus on thoughts, ideas, and hopes for HIV elimination.

Getting to Zero consists of a framework focusing on no new HIV infections and ensuring that people living with HIV are receiving adequate treatment. CUPHD has a "GTZ" campaign called "CUatZero" that also addresses the stigma that many people face related to HIV disease. "HIV is very treatable and manageable today. For people who are active in HIV treatment, they are living longer, healthier lives, much like other persons with a chronic disease," says Julie... more...

Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year and Forty-Eight Percent of Homes Tested in Champaign County have High Radon Levels

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 $5.00. 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 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... more...