Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Press Releases

Jul 17, 2012 Increased West Nile Viral Activity in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District/Champaign County Public Health Department Urges Residents to take precautions

Champaign, IL - Several mosquito samples in Champaign and Urbana have recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). "During hot and dry conditions WNV will amplify between the bird and Culex mosquito populations, and unfortunately with the weather we have been experiencing, this is taking place earlier than the previous couple of years," said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)/Champaign County Public Health Department.

The best way to prevent WNV infection or any other mosquito-borne illness is to prevent mosquito bites and to eliminate mosquito breeding... more...

Jun 28, 2012 High Temperatures Mean Extra Precaution
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Watch for Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges everyone to watch for the symptoms of heat-related illness, and to take precautions to keep their families and communities safe.

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 F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not... more...

Jun 20, 2012 First West Nile virus positive bird detected in central Illinois for 2012
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the first West Nile virus positive bird detected in central Illinois for 2012. Champaign Urbana Public Health District staff collected a crow on June 12, which tested positive for West Nile virus. A bird collected in Cook County on May 16, and mosquito batches collected on May 17 and May 18 in DuPage and Cook counties, were the first West Nile virus positive specimens this year.

For more information read the PDF and visit our West Nile Virus Surveillance... more...

Jun 19, 2012 First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions

Champaign, IL - A dead bird collected last week in the City of Champaign has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), along with an unconfirmed mosquito pool collected in the City of Urbana. "As mosquito season progresses, it is important for people to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites," said Jeff Blackford, Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).

Prevent mosquito... more...

May 25, 2012 Growing Your Own Food is a SNAP with Seed and Plant Sales at CUPHD
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is Hosting a Seed and Plant Sale Day

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting a seed and plant sale for anyone with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign from 1:00 - 5:30 PM, as part of the Farmers' Market season kick-off.

Seeds will be available for purchase from 10 to 50 cents per package and plants will be available for between $1.00 and $3.50 each, depending on variety. Available plants will include broccoli, peppers and tomatoes (multiple varieties), cucumber, eggplant, strawberry, spaghetti squash, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potato and more. These items can be purchased at a much cheaper price than fresh produce. One $3.00 tomato plant can produce up to 10 to 15 pounds of tomatoes whereas you might pay $4.98 for two pounds of tomatoes at a local grocer; one $3.00 seedless... more...

May 17, 2012 Upcoming Workshop for Women's Wellness
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Hosts a FREE Women's Wellness Workshop to Provide Healthy Habit Ideas

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting a FREE Women's Wellness Workshop on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM (speakers begin at 6:00 PM) at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. This educational and fun workshop will be geared towards increasing positive healthy habits of women. "The women of today are busier than ever before and too often women do not realize the strain that they inadvertently place on their health, which may lead to unfortunate consequences in the future," said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for CUPHD. "CUPHD hopes that this Women's Wellness Workshop will give participants the tools necessary to meet these challenges in a healthy... more...

May 11, 2012 New State Health Director to Meet with Local Officials
New State Health Director to Meet with Local Officials to Talk About Public Health Vision

Chronic disease prevention is key; proposed cigarette tax will help

SPRINGFIELD - On Monday, May 14, 2012, newly appointed Illinois Department of Public Health Acting Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck will begin convening local health officials in regional roundtables to discuss the public health system in Illinois, where it stands now and where health partners would like to see it go. The director will share his vision for the future of public health, addressing vulnerable populations, access to health care and chronic disease prevention. One of the director's priorities in preventing chronic disease is combating tobacco use and how the proposed cigarette tax can greatly help in this effort. Hear from state and local health officials as Dr. Hasbrouck tours the state working to improve public health in... more...

Mar 21, 2012 Wellness on Wheels Brings Healthcare to Communities
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Participates in a Mobile Round Up

CHAMPAIGN, IL - On Friday, March 23, 2012, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will partner with the State of Illinois and four other organizations to host the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) "Mobile Round Up".

The Wellness on Wheels program enables health providers, faith and community-based organizations to offer services to people who often times have limited access to health services: minorities, low-income families, underserved and rural communities. The mobility of this innovative program allows it to conveniently serve multiple populations. Wellness on Wheels has participated across the State of Illinois at such events as back-to-school fairs, Juneteenth Celebrations, health fairs, faith-based celebrations, outdoor sporting events and outreach events for the... more...

Mar 14, 2012 2012 Sports Fish Consumption Advisory - IDPH
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the 2012 consumption advisories for sport fish caught in Illinois waters. This year, new advisories are being issued for the following lakes and rivers:
Carbondale City Reservoir, Jackson CountyGreenville Old City Lake (Patriot's Park Lake), Bond CountyHenderson Creek (below the junction with Cedar Creek), Warren County - Lake of the Woods, Champaign CountyPyramid State Park, Perry CountySiloam Springs Lake, Adams CountyVermilion River, Champaign and Vermilion counties.

Additionally, several less-restrictive advisories have been issued this year.

For information on beach advisories click here.
... more...

Mar 14, 2012 Groundwater is a Vital Resource
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) promotes National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 11-17, 2012. According to the National Ground Water Association, groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. This week's purpose is to educate the public about the importance of groundwater and water well stewardship.

More than 90 percent of all public drinking water systems rely on groundwater to supply the population with drinking water and millions of Americans rely on groundwater from aquifers to supply their private wells, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

CUPHD encourages residents of Champaign County with private wells to test their water annually for contaminants. Private water wells should be tested every year... more...