Latest news Human infections with a novel swine-origin influenza H3N2 have been reported in five states.  Some of the cases did not have exposure to swine and investigation has suggested person-person transmission.  Orange County Public Health has started enhanced surveillance for this novel virus in our community.  See www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/flu/surv for more information on the enhanced surveillance.  See www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu for updates on the situation.  
 
Influenza season is here.  Seasonal influenza has been detected in Orange County and surrounding areas.  Now is the time to get vaccinated.  Influenza vaccine is available throughout the County.  For publicly funded vaccine clinics, see www.ochealthinfo.com/flu.  For retail locations, see the Flu Vaccine Finder at www.flu.gov.  For information on diagnosis and treatment of influenza, see www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/provider or www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/.  For influenza updates, see www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/eye.
 
Several typhus cases have been reported over the past few months.  Endemic typhus is transmitted by fleas and the risk of infection can be decreased by treating pets with flea prevention medications and taking measures around the home to decrease contact with wild animals.  For more information, see www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/typhus.  

Certain communicable diseases are required to be reported to the local health department (see List of Reportable Diseases) as per the State of California Code of Regulations. Epidemiology and Assessment (E&A) unit's medical directors, public health nurses, and epidemiologists investigate individual cases and outbreaks of reported communicable diseases. We monitor disease trends, and often provide current statistics and other information to doctors, hospitals, the public and news media. We may also provide education or preventive treatment in some circumstances. Although other units handle reports of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), we do monitor their trends in Orange County.

Epidemiology Page Index

• Disease Information—information on specific diseases
• Reporting diseases

Additional Topics

• Disease prevention
• FAQs About Radiation
• Frequently asked questions—about general health issues 
• Foodborne Illness questions & answers
• Handwashing
• HIPAA
• for Physicians—disease information and reporting
• Postexposure Prophylaxis
• Preventing diseases from insects and rodents
• Reporting other than communicable diseases
• for Schools—disease information and reporting
• Statistics (Communicable Disease)
• Statistics (Birth & Death)
• Traveler's health
• Vaccines

Orange County links

• Animal Care Services
• Health Disaster Management
• Environmental Health
• HIV/AIDS
• Immunization clinic
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Orange County Vector Control District

More Disease Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization