Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Press Releases

Mar 7, 2023 Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois is March 6-10
Champaign County EMA and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urge People to Prepare for Severe Weather

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 6-10, 2023 is Severe Weather Preparedness week in Illinois. Champaign County just had multiple severe weather events last week to include severe thunderstorm warning, multiple tornado warnings, and high wind warnings.

We cannot stop severe thunderstorms, lightning, or tornadoes from developing or happening, but there are things that everyone can do to minimize the impacts of severe weather on our lives and our families. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the following daily topics will be on social... more...

Jan 25, 2023 Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, February 11, at Parkland College
The Illini District Dental Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, and Parkland College Dental Hygiene Clinic Participate in Give Kids A Smile Day

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) Day on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Parkland College Dental Hygiene Clinic located at 2400 W. Bradley in Champaign. The event is part of the Children's Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association (ADA), which provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income... more...

Jan 23, 2023 CUPHD Encourages Home Radon Testing During National Radon Action Month
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year; 48% 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, schools, and workplaces for its presence. 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...

Jan 23, 2023 CUPHD Encourages Home Radon Testing During National Radon Action Month
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year; 48% 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, schools, and workplaces for its presence. 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...

Dec 22, 2022 CUPHD to Close at Noon Due to Weather Conditions
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is canceling all afternoon services

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will close at noon Thursday, December 22, due to predicted inclement weather conditions. This includes the following locations:

201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign
520 E. Wabash in Rantoul

For the latest updates and information, keep an eye on our... more...

Oct 24, 2022 CUPHD Encourages Continued Masking in Healthcare Facilities
State of Illinois No Longer Requires Face Masks in Healthcare Settings, but Recommends Usage in High-Transmission Areas

CHAMPAIGN, IL - With the arrival of flu season, rising cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and a possible surge of COVID-19 cases, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging individuals to continue wearing face masks in healthcare facilities.

On Friday, October 14th, the State of Illinois, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent change in guidance for healthcare settings, updated Executive Order 2021- 12 to remove mandatory masking in healthcare facilities. The amended order no longer requires face coverings in healthcare facilities, but still recommends their continued use in these settings located in areas with high community transmission... more...

Sep 9, 2022 CUPHD Expands Bivalent Vaccine Eligibility to Individuals Aged 50 and Older
Eligibility Will Continue to Expand to the General Public on September 14th.

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 bivalent vaccination clinics to those aged 50 and older starting today, September 9th. Clinics will be held beginning the week of September 12th, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am- 4:00pm. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Starting September 14th, eligibility will open to everyone aged 12 and... more...

Sep 6, 2022 New COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters Now Available
CUPHD to Host Bivalent Vaccination Clinics Starting Next Week

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting COVID-19 bivalent vaccination clinics beginning the week of September 12. Clinics will be held Monday through Thursday with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine available.

On September 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendations for use of updated COVID-
endorsed the CDC 19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.

... more...

Sep 1, 2022 Second Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges the public to be aware of rabid animals, in particular bats, after two bats in Champaign County have tested positive for rabies over the past several months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms... more...

Aug 30, 2022 International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) recognizes August 31st as International Overdose Awareness Day. International Overdose Awareness Day strives to honor the lives lost to drug overdose and its impact on victim's friends, family, and the public at large.

In the United States, overdose-related deaths have been on the rise in the last two decades. Over 107,000 Americans died from a drug-related overdose in 2021. The opioid epidemic's impact has also influenced these numbers. In Illinois, 3,494 individuals died from a drug-related overdose in 2021. In Champaign County, 41 people died from an opioid overdose in 2021. Considering these statistics, it's important to note that for every reported overdose, there are countless others that go... more...