Michelle Holthe holds one of her flow painting creations. She will teach a flow painting class at 10 a.m. March 9, at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Area measles cases traced to unvaccinated college students

Two cases have been reported in Champaign-Urbana in recent months — the first in January and the second in early February. Both cases were in unvaccinated college students. Across the country there are currently 101 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Washington state, home to a group of anti-vaccine activists, is having the most trouble. There are now so many cases the governor has declared a state of emergency.

According to the CDC, measles is highly contagious and communicable a full four days before the characteristic rash appears. It’s spread by respiratory droplets which can remain in the environment and infect others for two hours after the host has left. First, a patient has flu-like symptoms, then a red flat rash, starting on the face and neck. The rash then begins to appear more solid and spreads to the trunk and arms in two to three days where the spots remain discrete. 

Some parents have chosen to skip the routine MMR vaccine — measles, mumps and rubella — which most people get as children. The trend started after a study was published in a medical journal in the 1990s linking MMR to autism. However, that study repeatedly has been proven to be incorrect.

The World Health Organization placed the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate as one of the top 10 global health threats in 2019.

Webinar highlights need to get more food to more people

University of Illinois Extension’s Community and Economic Development team will host a free webinar entitled Think Global, Eat Local, at 12 p.m. Feb. 21. This webinar will highlight Illinois Extension programming designed to assist community leaders and others in addressing the need to making food more accessible in their communities.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn how communities can partner with Illinois Extension to improve the lives of their citizens through local food projects, such as community gardens, mobile markets, food banks and more. The presenters will discuss food insecurity, planning a community food project, sustainability through fundraising, as well as how to promote volunteer and youth involvement. Participants also will learn about ways to provide their communities with healthier food options and a higher quality of life while encouraging community engagement and environmental sustainability. 

There is no cost to attend the webinar, however registration is required at go.illinois.edu/LGE. Contact Nancy Ouedraogo at esarey@illinois.edu for more information.

Library encourages writing, reading

The Eurkea Public Library staff encourages those who think about becoming an author to come to its Writer’s Circle, held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday evening each month. The next Writer’s Circle is slated for Feb. 21 at the library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka. Writers can share their ideas and writings. Members offer positive support, feedback when requested, and incentive to keep writing.

Teens are invited to join the library for book chats. Participants can share what they are reading and learn about what is new in the library’s collection. The next Teen Time will be held 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 23, at the library. Refreshments will be served. Teens are invited to bring friends and ideas for future library programs.

For more information about either events, call the library at 309-467-2922.
 

–Woodford County News Briefs–