Press Releases
Year
Seasonal Flu Illnesses Continue to Increase in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 06 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Seasonal Flu Illnesses Continue to Increase in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Advises Individuals to Take Additional Precautions; States it’s Never Too Late to Get Vaccinated
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting an increase in seasonal influenza activity across Champaign County, with activity surging nationwide. Residents are advised to take additional precautions to protect themselves and others. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois has reported its first pediatric death from flu this season while nationally, there have been nine pediatric deaths.
A new variant of influenza A H3N2, known as ‘subclade K,’ emerged earlier this year and is now the dominant strain in the United States. Symptoms are like those caused by the usual seasonal influenza A strains and come on suddenly. These include:
- fever
- chills
- body aches
- headaches
- extreme fatigue
- congestion or runny nose
- coughing
- sore throat
While stomach illness, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can occur, but is not typical of influenza. Stomach illness is usually the result of a gastrointestinal illness such as norovirus or food poisoning.
Vaccination against flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses remains the most effective protection against infection for everyone six months and older. Flu and respiratory virus vaccines are available at pharmacies and health care facilities. IDPH has a vaccine locator tool for those looking for vaccines. Additional preventative measures include covering coughs and sneezes; washing hands often with soap and water; avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth; and wearing a mask and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Healthy individuals usually recover from flu without complications, however, those who get sick should:
- stay home from work or school and stay away from
- get plenty of rest, drink liquids, and avoid using alcohol and
- take over-the-counter medications to relieve Please be advised that while rare, giving aspirin or Pepto Bismol to children and adolescents with flu may cause Reye’s Syndrome.
- wear a mask to prevent the spread of
Certain groups are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. These include young children, people aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that those at increased risk contact their health care provider to get started on antiviral treatment as soon as possible.
For more information, visit IDPH’s influenza page.
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Justice Coalition Hosts Screening of PBS Documentary “Discovered Truth: A Health Care Journey”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Justice Coalition Hosts Screening of PBS Documentary “Discovered Truth: A Health Care Journey”
Community Event Includes Guided Discussion, Live Music, and Local Resource Fair
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Justice Coalition will host a screening of the PBS documentary Discovered Truth: A Health Care Journey on Saturday, October 11, at the Independent Media Center in Urbana. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the film begins at 6:00 p.m.
The documentary focuses on the history, challenges, and inequities around health insurance and healthcare access in the Black and African American community, particularly within the context of U.S. social change and policies such as the Affordable Care Act.
A guided discussion will follow the screening, creating space for open and respectful dialogue that fosters personal connection, discovery, and community healing. The event will also feature live music from Jarrel Young and Caleb Mutua along with local vendors, organizations, and community resources.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Participants can register at www.bit.ly/justiceinfocus.
The Justice Coalition’s mission is to ignite conversations, provide training, and orchestrate change that leads CUPHD to become the cornerstone of diversity within the community.
For more information or to register, visit www.bit.ly/justiceinfocus.
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Download 2025-10-08-justice-in-focus-PRCUPHD Hosts Car Seat Inspection Event on September 8 to Promote Child Passenger Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
CUPHD Hosts Car Seat Inspection Event on September 8 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 8, 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.
While this is an early event of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety Week, which takes place September 21–27 this year, it 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 2024, 85% of car seats seen at CUPHD were 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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