2006 HCA Press Releases

Preventing Holiday Injuries 

December 18, 2006
Each year, thousands of people in the United States spend time in a destination not typically associated with the Holiday Season – a hospital emergency room – for treatment of injuries.

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Eligibility for Free Flu Shots Expanded 

December 13, 2006
Adults of all ages and children 6 months of age and older are now eligible for free flu shots through programs sponsored by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

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Holiday Pet Safety Tips

December 12, 2006
The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and loved ones, but it can also be a stressful and dangerous time for your family pet.

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Plan for a Healthy, Happy Holiday Season

December 11, 2006
Don’t let influenza and other viral illnesses ruin your holiday season this year. Plan ahead by taking some simple preventive measures like getting a flu shot and practicing good hygiene habits to help make your holidays merry and bright.

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Samuel J. Stratton, MD, Appointed Medical Director for Orange County Emergency Medical Services

November 27, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency today announced the appointment of Samuel J. Stratton, MD, as Medical Director for Orange County Emergency Medical Services effective December 1, 2006.

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Flu Shots Still Available in Orange County
November 27 – December 4, 2006 is National Influenza Vaccine Week

November 21, 2006
‘Tis the season for spreading good cheer – and often for spreading the influenza virus. When it comes to your health, a flu shot may be the best gift you get this holiday season. Anyone wishing to prevent becoming ill with influenza should get vaccinated.

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Don’t Invite Foodborne Illness to Your Thanksgiving Meal

November 14, 2006
As the countdown to the Thanksgiving holiday begins, consumers are stocking up on traditional foods certain to make the holiday meal something special. While popular Thanksgiving items such as poultry, dressings and gravy are delicious holiday standards, they are also foods in which bacteria may thrive.

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Smoke Advisory Issued for Orange County

October 27, 2006
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has issued a smoke advisory that includes Orange County due to smoke drifting from current wildfires.

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Free Flu Shots offered November 3rd at Emergency Preparedness Exercise

October 26, 2006
Just in time for flu season, the Orange County Health Care Agency, in partnership with several local organizations, will offer free flu shots to the public while testing the county’s ability to hold several mass vaccination clinics at the same time.

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Countywide Effort to Promote Red Ribbon Campaign

October 19, 2006
October 22nd-28th is Red Ribbon Week in Orange County, an important tradition for the drug prevention community with a primary mission to promote drug free youth and communities while reducing the demand for illegal drugs and illegal use of legal drugs.

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Seasonal Flu Shots Available in Orange County

October 18, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has scheduled immunization clinics throughout the county to protect area residents from seasonal flu.

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Orange County Animal Care Center Hosts “Dog-toberfest”

October 11, 2006
In honor of Adopt-a-Dog month, the Orange County Animal Care Center will be hosting a “Dog-toberfest” event on Saturday, October 14, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at 561 The City Drive South, Orange.

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Orange County Reports Season’s First Influenza Cases

September 27, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first two cases of seasonal influenza, officially signaling the beginning of flu season in Orange County. The first reported cases were Influenza Type A, which is often the predominant strain of influenza reported in the United States.

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Additional Lung Fluke Cases Identified

September 8, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s continuing investigation of lung fluke infections associated with eating raw or undercooked freshwater sawagani crabs has now identified a total of eight laboratory confirmed cases.

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Orange County Confirms First Human West Nile Virus Cases of 2006

August 24, 2006
A 24-year-old resident of Orange and an 85-year-old resident of Anaheim have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the County’s first confirmed symptomatic human WNV cases in 2006, according to County Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler.

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Continuing Investigation of Lung Fluke Infections Identifies Additional Cases 

August 24, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s continuing investigation of lung fluke infections associated with eating raw or undercooked freshwater sawagani crabs has now identified a total of four laboratory confirmed cases.

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Orange County Confirms First Human West Nile Virus Infection of 2006

August 17, 2006
A 44-year-old South Orange County man has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the County’s first confirmed human WNV infection in 2006.

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Unusual Lung Infection Reported In Orange County

August 11, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency has received reports of two cases of an unusual lung infection that is caused by a parasite and is associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater crab or crayfish.

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Detection of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes is Reason for Precautions

August 1, 2006
The detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected in Fullerton is a significant indication that Orange County residents should take precautions to prevent mosquito bite

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Eric G. Handler, M.D., M.P.H., Appointed Orange County Health Officer

July, 18, 2006
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted today to appoint Eric G. Handler, M.D., M.P.H, to serve as the County Health Officer effective August 1, 2006.

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High Temperatures Expected in Inland Orange County May Pose Health Danger

July 12, 2006
Many inland Orange County communities are expected to record high temperatures of over 90° this week, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to the heat.

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Travelers Visiting Germany Advised About Possible Measles Exposure

June 29, 2006
Southern California residents who have traveled to Germany, including those visiting for the World Cup soccer matches, should take notice of a recent advisory issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Health Advisory: High Temperatures Expected in Inland Orange County

June 23, 2006
With high temperatures expected over the next few days, the Orange County Health Care Agency reminds individuals to take basic precautions to protect their health.

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West Nile Virus Is In Season

June 20, 2006
The summer season is here, and mosquitoes and West Nile Virus (WNV) may not be far behind.

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Orange County awarded $25 million this year for Expanded Mental Health Services

June 7, 2006
Hundreds of Orange County adults, older adults, children and youth will benefit from new and expanded community mental health services made possible by additional funding provided through California’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), also known as Proposition 63.

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Important AIDS Anniversary Observed

June 2, 2006
The date was June 5, 1981. An article entitled “Pneumocystis Pneumonia – Los Angeles” appears in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Health Care Agency Supervisor Named Environmental Health Specialist of the Year

May 12, 2006
The California Environmental Health Association (CEHA) has named John Ralls, a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and Supervisor in the Orange County Health Care Agency Food Protection Program, the recipient of the 2006 “Environmental Health Specialist of the Year” award.

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Orange County Animal Care Center Hosts Pet Fair 2006

May 9, 2006
The Orange County Animal Care Center will host its annual Pet Fair 2006 event on Saturday, May 20, 2006.

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Public Education and Activities Planned to Observe Emergency Medical Services Week May 14-20, 2006

May 5, 2006
In observance of Emergency Medical Services Week May 14-20, 2006, the County of Orange Health Care Agency and a coalition of Orange County emergency services and healthcare providers have come together to plan a month of public information and outreach activities.

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Joint Meeting Addresses Issues of Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders

May 5, 2006
The Orange County’s Mental Health Board and the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board will hold a joint Public Forum on Wednesday, May 10th to address the co-occurring problems of substance abuse and mental disorders.

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Mussel Quarantine

April 28, 2006
The County of Orange Health Care Agency reminds shellfish consumers that the Annual Mussel Quarantine in California will take effect on May 1st and will continue through October 31st, 2006.

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April Showers bring…May Mosquitoes?

April 27, 2006
April rains, followed by rapidly warming temperatures, may prove to be a dangerous combination for Orange County and all of Southern California when it comes to mosquitoes and West Nile virus (WNV).

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Immunizing Children Protects the Community

April 24, 2006
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) will celebrate National Infant Immunization Week, April 22-29, with a special event on Wednesday, April 26th from 10-11 a.m. at the Public Health Immunization Clinic, 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana.

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Local Volunteers to Receive Honors from Board of Supervisors

April 21, 2006
Nicole Hensley of Newport Beach, Zachary Mikelson of Mission Viejo, Diana Van New Kirk of Garden Grove and Barry Sohl of Huntington Beach are among 40 honorees who will be honored April 21 by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for their outstanding volunteer achievements in 2005.

Medical Director Selected For Orange County’s Child Abuse Services Team (CAST)

April 19, 2006
Frederic W. Bruhn, M.D., has been selected to serve as Medical Director of the Orange County Child Abuse Services Team (CAST), bringing additional expertise to the program.

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Local Food Establishments Receive Awards Of Excellence

April 11, 2006
From a qualifying group of almost 9,000 food facilities throughout Orange County, the Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has issued 2,088 Award of Excellence Certificates to Orange County food facilities this month.

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Orange County Health Status Profile Shows Improvement in Key Categories

April 6, 2006
Reductions in the age-adjusted death rates for lung cancer and coronary heart disease, along with a continuing reduction in the reported incidence of AIDS are among the highlights included in the latest Health Status Profile for Orange County.

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Public Health Week Highlights Orange County’s Public Health

March 31, 2006
Because of public health and the vital role of public health workers, Orange County residents now enjoy better health, live in healthier conditions, know more about how to take care of their health, and live longer than at any time in the past.

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Countywide Effort Targets Problem of Underage Drinking

March 24, 2006
Organizations from throughout Orange County are joining together to sponsor a series of Town Hall meetings examining the problem of underage drinking and seeking solutions to this dangerous practice.

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Chickenpox Cases Provide Reminder Of the Importance of Vaccination

March 2, 2006
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have been vaccinated against chickenpox (varicella) following recent reports of chickenpox cases in several local school districts.

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West Nile Virus Activity Detected In Orange County

February 23, 2006
The first evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) activity in Orange County during 2006, a dead crow found in the Mission Viejo area, signals the return of the unpredictable virus to Southern California.

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Wildfire Smoke Poses Public Health Danger

February 6, 2006
Smoke drifting from the wildfires in Northeastern Orange County may pose a health danger to individuals in Orange County, especially those in certain high-risk groups.

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Orange County Animal Care Center Hosts “Adopt Your Valentine” Day

February 3, 2006
The Orange County Animal Care Center will be hosting a new Valentine’s Day event on Saturday, February 11, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Animal Care Center, 561 The City Drive South, Orange.

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Precautions Urged For Travel Associated with Lunar New Year - Tiếng Việt

January 17, 2006
People traveling for the Lunar New Year to countries where avian influenza A (H5N1) cases have been reported are urged to take precautions before, during and after their travel.

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