Woodford County Area News Briefs

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STATE

Zika virus a health risk for travelers

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is alerting the public of the potential of contracting the Zika virus while traveling abroad.

The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, similar to West Nile virus or dengue fever, according to the department’s news release. While illness is usually mild and severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon, there is a possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects, the release states.

According to the department, two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive for the virus. Physicians are monitoring their health and pregnancies.

“There is virtually no risk to Illinois residents, since you cannot contract Zika virus from another person, but only through the bite of an infected mosquito,” IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah stated in the release. “But since this is a time of year when people travel to warmer climates and countries where Zika virus is found, we are urging residents, especially pregnant women, to take preventive measures when traveling in affected countries and check health travel advisories.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Until more is known, CDC recommends that pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women, women trying to become pregnant, or women who are thinking about becoming pregnant and must travel to one of these areas should talk with their doctor or other health care provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).  Symptoms can last from several days to weeks.  There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection.

When traveling to countries where Zika virus has been reported, all travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. CDC has developed interim guidelines for health care providers in the United States caring for pregnant women during a Zika virus outbreak. These guidelines http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6502e1.htm  include recommendations for pregnant women considering travel to an area with Zika virus transmission and recommendations for screening, testing, and management of pregnant returning travelers. Updates on areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission are available online (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/).

Eureka College administrators have forbidden the use of hoverboards on the campus until further notice.

Eureka College administrators have forbidden the use of hoverboards on the campus until further notice.

Eureka

Hoverboards ban at EC

Eureka College students returned to classes this week and, hopefully, they left their hoverboards at home.

College administrators have forbidden the use of hoverboards on the campus until further notice. The ban includes all campus buildings, including residence halls, and all school grounds.

“… as our students begin to arrive back on campus, we wanted to make the campus community aware that hoverboards are not allowed on campus due to potential safety concerns,” Jeffrey Coats, associate provost for student affairs and dean of students, said in a prepared statement.

A hoverboard is the popular electric self-balancing riding device, which has been implicated in multiple fires and explosions caused by the flammability of the lithium-ion batteries used to power the popular devices. The Consumer Product Safety Commission so far has investigated 40 such incidents. The most recent occurred Jan. 19, in Santa Rosa, Calif., where a girl who received a hoverboard for the holidays had left it plugged in in her bedroom.

Amazon is offering full refunds for customers who bought hoverboards.

No incidents have occurred on campus; this is a precautionary measure, officials said.

Presentation focuses on drug use trends

The Woodford County Citizens Against Substance Abuse is one of several local organizations partnering with Eureka College to bring awareness to current drug trends in the area.

There will be two opportunities to see the presentation on Feb. 1 at the Becker Auditorium inside the Cerf Center. The first is from 2-4 p.m. and the second is 5-7 p.m. Both are free and open to the public, but space is limited. 

A representative from the DEA will be present to discuss topics including, the prevalence of drugs in the community, where the drugs are coming from, how drugs are being marketed and to whom, and what community members can do to help stop the problem.

The Woodford County CASA encourages everyone, including community members, parents and resident advisor’s to come and raise their awareness.

Eureka College Criminal Justice professor, William Lally, said this type of presentation will help those currently in law enforcement and students who hope to work in the field stay up-to-date on new developments.

“Students who are going into the criminal justice field need to be aware of the influence controlled substances have not only on the offenders but also the cumulative effects on society as well,” Lally said in a news release. “As we have seen over the last century, the landscape of controlled substances is constantly changing with the appearance of new drugs every day and the resurgence of old ones.”

Other sponsors include ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation, Tazwood Center for Wellness, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Illinois Neurological Institute and the Woodford County Health Department.

–Woodford County Area News Briefs–