CUPHD warns community of a deadly disease
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A disease that can be harmful to people and animals is back in Champaign County.
Now, the public health district is doing what they can to make sure people in the area are being cautious. It's called tularemia, or rabbit fever. It's a disease caused by bacteria and could possibly be deadly. Typically, almost every year there's a report of an animal testing positive for tularemia.
Champaign City Council approves multi-million-dollar Garden Hills bid
Robert Davies is the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's director of planning and research. Davies said there were several sick squirrels found in Urbana recently and some had died. After finding out one of them had tularemia, they had to take action.
'When this happens, we like to to raise awareness. You know, that it's in the community and that there are things that we can do to prevent exposure,' Davies said.
Both people and animals can catch the disease. It can be life threatening to humans and pets like dogs, cats, livestock and more.
'Avoid mowing over dead animals. Let's say if you mow over an infected dead animal, it can be aerosolized and you can breathe it in. That's one way of contracting it,' Davies said.
Illinois residents worried about food assistance being cut in a SNAP
He said you should also stay away from wildlife, drink water from a safe source, and stop pets from eating wild animals to name a few. Symptoms can range from a mild to severe flu-like sickness for both people and animals. That's why Davies said you should always be cautious.
'Just because it was detected in Urbana doesn't mean it's not, you know, in other places. Like I said, in previous years, we've had reports come from Champaign, Urbana and Savoy. So the message is the same,' Davies said.
The health district said if you believe you may have the disease, make sure you contact your doctor.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Study shows an increase in child food insecurity in Cass County
Like nearly every county in in the United States, Cass County is affected by child food insecurity daily. According to a study released last week by Feeding America called Map the Meal Gap, about 1 in 6, or 18.1%, of children in Cass County are experiencing food insecurity. The numbers mirror Food Finders Food Bank's overall 16-county service area, which is about 1 in 5 children (20%). The service area includes Cass, Howard, Miami, Carroll, Fulton and Pulaski counties. 'Leveraging the data in this year's study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify local ways to support our community,' said Kier Crites Muller, president/CEO of Food Finders. 'Hunger remains an urgent crisis throughout our 16-county service area. When we listen to our neighbors facing hunger and use the study's findings, we can unite to create a future where everyone, including children, can access the nutritious food they need to thrive. 'This mission becomes even more critical as threats to vital social safety net programs like SNAP, TEFAP, and Medicaid could worsen food insecurity for our most vulnerable populations, particularly children who rely on these essential services.' Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon USDA's most recent national and state data report, which showed 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in over a decade. Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the need for the public to join the movement to end hunger. 'Food Finders is thankful to our agency partners in Cass County for being an essential partner in the fight against hunger,' the press release said. 'Their determination and countless volunteer hours have a tangible impact on our communities.' Food Finders' partners in Cass County include: • Emmaus Mission Center ( 19 W. Richardville St., Logansport. Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 4 to 6 p.m. Wed. • Felix's Pantry, 410 W. Miami Ave., Logansport. Hours: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thurs. • Logansport Salvation Army ( 620 Wilkinson St., Logansport. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. • Trinity Episcopal Church, 319 Seventh St., Logansport. Hours: 3 to 5:30 p.m. on second and fourth Wednesday of month, or call 574-753-2733 for appt. Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: • Overall, food insecurity rates increased in Cass County, with 15.8%, or 1 in 7 residents experiencing food insecurity. • Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Cass County, 46% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP. • Food Finders serves communities with food insecurity ranging from 13% in Clinton County to 16.7% in Miami County. • Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Food Finders 16-county service area ranges from 14.2% in Clinton County to 23.4% in Howard County. • In Food Finders' 16-county service area, available data by race/ethnicity shows that 14% of white individuals, 33% of Black individuals, and 24% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2023. Map the Meal Gap used publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. To see more information and view the map, visit For more information about Food Finders Food Bank, visit
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski bill providing healthy eating, stretching SNAP dollars passes House
Jun. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski said on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program would support PA's agricultural economy while simultaneously increasing access to nutritious food at a time when many Pennsylvanians' budgets are tight. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, celebrated the passage of his legislation establishing a statewide program to provide benefit incentives — called Food Bucks — to SNAP recipients purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables. Rep. Pashinski said under the Pennsylvania Food Bucks program established by H.B. 1096, a Pennsylvania nonprofit would administer the program, providing benefit incentives of no less than 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods at participating retailers. Rep. Pashinski said that similar programs have been passed and implemented in other states and have been proven to improve diets through increased fruit and vegetable consumption. "SNAP nutrition incentive programs like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and retailers, and improve the health of Pennsylvanians," Rep. Pashinski said. "I thank my colleagues for ensuring that Pennsylvania families who rely on SNAP have more consistent access to the essential fruits and vegetables needed for balanced nutrition and a healthy life." The incentives — often taking the form of a paper or digital coupon issued when a shopper pays with SNAP/EBT — would allow shoppers to purchase additional fruits and vegetables at participating food retailers. In addition to any state funds allocated, Rep. Pashinski said matching dollars may be available from the federal government to stretch these investments even further. House Bill 1096 is supported by Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and The Food Trust — a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to delicious, nutritious food for all. "The Pennsylvania Food Bucks program would be a game-changer for our Commonwealth — delivering a triple win for families, farmers and the economy," said Mark Edwards, president and CEO, The Food Trust. "Pennsylvania's farmers stand to gain significantly — as families fill their tables with fresh, local food, farmers expand their customer base, increase revenue and scale up production." "The PA Food Bucks Program is a win for food retailers and families," said Alex Baloga, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. "It drives produce sales, increases SNAP customer traffic, and strengthens relationships between stores and their communities." Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania, said, "Ensuring children, seniors and families have access to adequate nutrition is not a partisan issue. Access to healthy food items like fruits and vegetables is proven to reduce long-term health care costs, increase lifetime earnings, and will make Pennsylvania a healthier, better place to live." House Bill 1096 moves to the state Senate for further consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ernst risks political blowback with ‘we all are going to die' remarks
Sen. Joni Ernst's (R-Iowa) recent controversial remarks on Medicaid are threatening to become a political liability for the incumbent as she faces reelection next year. Ernst drew the ire of Democrats when she responded to concerns about potential Medicaid cuts by saying 'we all are going to die.' Despite the swift backlash, Ernst doubled down on the remarks in a sarcastic video posted Saturday on social media in which she appeared to be recording from a cemetery. While the second-term senator has been a formidable candidate and will benefit from the conservative lean of her state, some Republicans acknowledge the comments could follow her into the midterms. 'It is very, very early, but there is no question that that comment from Sen. Ernst will be on Iowa airwaves for the better part of the next 15 months,' said one Iowa Republican strategist. The election handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball on Tuesday shifted Ernst's race slightly toward Democrats — from safe to likely Republican — citing her recent comments and a new challenge from Democratic state Rep. JD Scholten, who said the senator's remarks spurred him to jump in. Another GOP strategist acknowledged the risk posed by Ernst's comments but added the political climate next year is going to ultimately have a greater impact on the race. 'It probably wasn't helpful, and the cleanup wasn't helpful,' the strategist said. 'But the race, presuming it's these two candidates on the ballot, isn't going to be decided by Sen. Ernst's comments in 2025. It's going to be more influenced on where the country's at.' Ernst had pushed back against constituents who shouted at the Butler, Iowa, town hall event that cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would cause people to die. 'Well, we all are going to die,' the senator responded, as she defended a House-passed budget reconciliation package that proposes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP funding. The exchange drew sharp backlash from Democrats. The party's Senate campaign arm called Ernst's remarks 'stunningly callous,' and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin accused her, President Trump and the GOP of being 'hellbent on putting their own constituents at risk.' Scholten jumped into the race Monday following the backlash to her remarks. 'I wasn't planning on doing this right now, but I just can't sit on the sidelines after Joni's recent town hall justifying gutting Medicaid because 'we're all going to die,'' he said in his video launch. He enters the race alongside Democrat Nathan Sage, who said Ernst 'has stepped in it.' State Sen. Zach Wahls, another potential candidate, said 'we desperately need a new voice for Iowa in the US Senate.' Ernst also faces three long shot primary challengers on the right. Democrats argue that the comments will play poorly with much of Iowa's aging and rural population, which depend on programs like Medicaid. But Ernst doubled down on the comments in her sarcastic apology video, saying, 'I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth.' Even some conservatives took issue with her response. 'I wouldn't have posted the follow-up video,' said CNN commentator Scott Jennings. 'In fact, the answer she gave in the town hall, the first 98 percent of it was correct. She was talking about taking illegal immigrants off of Medicaid.' 'I wouldn't have posted the follow-up video myself, but I think the Republicans can actually win this debate,' he added. Last week's events would not be the first time a political candidate in the state has faced backlash for off-the-cuff remarks caught on camera. In fact, when Ernst first ran for Senate in 2014, her opponent, former Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), faced backlash when he was caught on camera at a fundraiser referring to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) as 'a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school.' 'Those things can be harmful,' said the unnamed GOP strategist. 'It won't decide the race, but on the periphery and on the edges, sure, it could have a long-term impact.' Still, Republicans are largely brushing off the criticism, arguing Ernst's comments were taken out of context. 'Anyone who knows Joni — especially the folks who heard her answer tough questions for over an hour — knows Dems and the mainstream media are purposefully replacing her core message because it helps their fearmongering,' said Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann. 'But the fact is, without Sen. Ernst taking a strong stand to protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid, Iowans would be worse off.' Democrats, on the other hand, are leaning into the senator's comments because 'there's been nothing for them to really lean into' before this point, argued Iowa Republican consultant Luke Martz. 'This isn't going to win the election for them. It's just giving them something to talk about.' Tim Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa, also acknowledged Ernst doubling down was 'probably not a good idea' but forecasted voters will forget about the incident on the long road to the 2026 midterms. 'Ernst's comments give Scholten some opportunity to jump into the race, get some headlines. … I don't think it's a big enough deal that it's going to have legs, so to speak,' Hagle said. But Iowa State University political science professor Dave Peterson predicted that, while Republicans will try to ignore the incident and 'hope it goes away,' Democrats are likely to make sure it dogs her. 'This just seems like something that might not go away, something that might sort of linger with her,' Peterson said. Of course, Ernst — who has not yet formally launched a reelection bid — would enter 2026 as the favorite, despite the backlash and her new challengers. It's been more than a decade since a Democrat represented Iowa in the upper chamber. Ernst won reelection by roughly 7 points back in 2020, and Trump won the state by 13 points in November. 'Joni Ernst is Iowa's winner in Washington,' GOP strategist Michael Zona told The Hill in an email. But the latest controversy, adding to scrutiny that mounted on Ernst earlier this year over her support for Trump's Cabinet picks, could give Democrats leverage to make inroads in the midterms, Peterson said. 'It's Ernst's race to lose, and the last week has made that a little more likely,' he said. The Iowa Republican strategist said the attention drawn onto Iowa this week 'opens up the door to resources being put in,' and groups on both sides of the aisle will have to make calculations. However, Democrats argue the state already presented an opportunity for them prior to Ernst's comments, pointing to recent special election victories they say signal a shift in the political environment. In January, Iowa Democrats flipped the state's 35th Senate District, which Trump won by 21 points in November. In March, Democrats overperformed in the special election for the 100th House District. 'It's still a high bar for Democrats trying to win statewide,' said Iowa Democratic strategist Jeff Link, but 'video clips like this have a way of just hanging around.' If Ernst runs next year, 'we're going to see this clip a ton, and that's not good for her,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
