Health Care Agency Statement Regarding Settlement Of Medicare Billing Issues

December 20, 2007
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors has approved a settlement agreement with the Federal Government resolving claims that the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) incorrectly billed the Medicare program between 1990 and 1999. These billing issues did not impact services provided to clients.

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Season's First Influenza Case Confirmed

November 13, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed its first influenza case of the 2007-08 season.

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Revocation of Paramedic Receiving Center Designation for Tustin Hospital and Medical Center

November 9, 2007
Orange County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) today revoked the Paramedic Receiving Center (PRC) designation for Tustin Hospital and Medical Center, effective immediately.

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Plan for Additional Mental Health Services Act Funding Now Available for Public Review and Comment

November 8, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s plan to seek an additional $1.3 million in Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) one-time funding for program expansion during Fiscal Year 2007-2008 is now available for public review and comment during a 30-day period that ends December 8, 2007.

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Get a Free Flu Shot on November 2nd

October 29, 2007
Free flu shots for adults and children will be offered November 2nd at two Orange County locations as part of a continuing series of emergency exercises testing the county’s ability to hold several mass vaccination clinics at the same time. 

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Orange County Flu Shot Clinics Begin October 29

October 26, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) seasonal flu shot clinics begin October 29 at locations throughout the county, with HCA encouraging those in high-risk groups to receive a flu shot to increase their protection against influenza and its potential complications.

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Smoke from Santiago Fire in Orange County Poses Potential Public Health Danger

October 22, 2007
Smoke from the Santiago fire in Orange County may pose a health danger to some individuals, especially those in certain high-risk groups. In addition, expected high temperatures associated with Santa Ana wind conditions may also contribute to the public health danger.

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Orange County Residents Warned Not to Use Lunchboxes that Contain Lead

September 20, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency is advising residents to stop using lunchboxes that have tested positive for elevated levels of lead. En Español

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Animals Confiscated from Santa Ana Pet Store Available for Adoption This Saturday

September 20, 2007
Orange County Animal Care Services (OCACS) announced today the availability of approximately 50 puppies, 6 kittens, 18 rabbits, and 1 guinea pig that were confiscated from a Santa Ana pet store in August.

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Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Areas of Orange County this Labor Day Weekend

September 1, 2007
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for areas of Orange County effective Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2 and Orange County residents are urged to take precautions to prevent heat related illnesses.

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Health Advisory: High Temperatures Expected in Orange County

August 29, 2007
Temperatures throughout Orange County are expected to be over 90° for the next several days, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to the effects of high temperatures.

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Health Care Agency Urges Precautions to Prevent Bats from Entering Your Home

August 28, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency has received a number of phone calls this year from area residents who are concerned about bats that have entered their homes.

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Orange County Confirms First Human West Nile Virus Cases of 2007

August 17, 2007
A 30-year-old resident of Anaheim and a 21-year-old resident of Fullerton have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the County’s first confirmed symptomatic human WNV cases in 2007, according to County Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler.

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Orange County Animal Care Services Hosts Free Pet Adoption Event

August 15, 2007
Orange County Animal Care Services (OCACS) will host its first ever ‘Find
a Forever Friend for Free’ pet adoption event on Saturday and Sunday, August 1819, 2007, at 561 The City Drive South, in Orange. The event will showcase hundreds of beautiful animals available for adoption into loving homes.

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Endemic Typhus Cases Reported in Orange County

August 13, 2007
Three human cases of endemic (murine) typhus have recently been reported to the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), with health officials advising the public to reduce their risk of the illness by controlling fleas in and around their homes and keeping their homes and yards free of conditions that attract wild animals.

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Health Advisory: Temperatures Over 100° Forecast for Some Areas of Orange County on Tuesday

August 13, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds individuals to take steps to prevent heat related illnesses, as the National Weather Service has predicted high temperatures exceeding 100° for some areas of Orange County beginning Tuesday, August 14th.

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Consumers Warned Not To Eat Raw Oysters from the Hood Canal area of Washington State

August 10, 2007
Orange County health officials are warning consumers not to eat raw or undercooked oysters harvested from the southern part of the Hood Canal in Washington State after a number of human illnesses caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a harmful bacteria, occurred in people who ate the oysters.

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Orange County Reports First Human West Nile Virus Infection of 2007

July 27, 2007
A Health Care Agency program that has provided health assessments and health education to over 4,700 Orange County adults in the past year has a new name reflecting its growing mission.

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New Name for Orange County Program Dedicated to the Health of Adults 50+

July 24, 2007
A Health Care Agency program that has provided health assessments and health education to over 4,700 Orange County adults in the past year has a new name reflecting its growing mission.

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Orange County Health Care Agency Earns Recognition for Emergency Preparedness

July 20, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency has been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for its preparations to respond to public health emergencies such as bioterrorism events, epidemics or natural disasters.

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Health Advisory: High Temperatures Expected in Orange County

July 2, 2007
With extremely high temperatures expected in Orange County this week, the Orange County Health Care Agency reminds individuals to take steps to prevent heat related illnesses.

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West Nile Virus Precautions Urged

June 18, 2007
The first confirmed human West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in California in 2007 serves as an important reminder to Orange County residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.

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Notice of Ground Beef Recall

June 4, 2007
Orange County consumers should check their freezers for ground beef products that were recalled June 3rd due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause a serious foodborne illness.

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Orange County Woman Is A Champion In Fight Against Obesity

May 17, 2007
A mother of six from Santa Ana will represent Orange County as a "Champion for Change" at the unveiling of the new Network for a Healthy California (Network) public health campaign launched in Sacramento today by the California Department of Health Services.

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Orange County Animal Care Center Hosts Pet Fair 2007

May 10, 2007
Orange County Animal Care Services will host its annual Pet Fair event on Saturday, May 19, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at 561 The City Drive South, Orange.

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Annual Mussel Quarantine & State Advisory Remain in Effect

May 3, 2007
Consumers are reminded that the State Department of Health Services has added a ban on consumption of sport-harvested sardines, anchovies and bi-valve shellfish, as well as sport-harvested and commercially caught lobster and crab from Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to the State’s Annual Mussel Quarantine that took effect April 20th.

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Consumers Reminded to Check Their Freezers For Recalled Ground Beef Patties

April 30, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds all consumers to check their freezers for ground beef patties that have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a bacteria that can cause serious illness.

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Health Permit for Foothill Ranch Souplantation Restaurant Reinstated

April 19, 2007
The health permit for the Foothill Ranch Souplantation, 26572 Towne Center Dr., Lake Forest, has been reinstated following a re-inspection of the facility today by staff from the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) Environmental Health Food Protection Program.

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“Think. Don’t Drink” Town Hall to Address Underage Drinking

April 17, 2007
By the time children in Orange County reach the 5th grade, 24% will have used alcohol, and that number increases to more than 59% by the time youth reach the 11th grade.

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Developments in the Investigation of E. coli cases 

April 7, 2007
There have been several developments in the Orange County Health Care Agency’s on-going investigation of E. coli O157:H7 cases reported recently in Orange County.

The total number of confirmed cases among customers at the Foothill Ranch Souplantation is now 12 (ten people under 18 years of age and two adults).

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Bat Found At Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach Tests Positive for Rabies 

April 6, 2007
Anyone who may have come into contact with a bat found Friday, April 6th near the gymnasium at Corona del Mar High School, 2101 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach, is asked to call the Orange County Health Care Agency, following tests that showed the bat was infected with rabies.

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Additional E. coli cases identified 

April 5, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s continuing investigation of E. coli O157:H7 cases reported recently in Orange County has now identified a total of ten laboratory confirmed cases.

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Updated Information on E. coli cases 

April 2, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s on-going investigation of an increase in reported E. coli 0157:H7 cases has identified a restaurant at which all currently known cases have reported eating
 

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Increase in Reported E. coli O157:H7 Cases 

April 2, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency has recently received an increased number of Escherichia coli O157:H7 case reports and has notified physicians and other health care providers in Orange County to evaluate patients with bloody or unusually severe diarrhea for E. coli O157:H7.
 

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Orange County Awarded Over $50 Million To Expand Health Care Coverage  

March 29, 2007
Orange County has been selected by State officials to receive more than $50 million over a three year period to expand health care coverage for low-income, uninsured adults.

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Orange County Tuberculosis (TB) Cases Down in 2006

March 22, 2007
A total of 226 Tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in Orange County during 2006, a decrease of 6.6% from the total of 242 cases reported in 2005.

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Plan to Seek Additional $9 Million for Mental Health Services To be Reviewed by Mental Health Board

March 19, 2007
Orange County’s plan to seek an additional $9 million in funding for public mental health services will be reviewed by the county Mental Health Board at a public hearing on Thursday, March 22 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Delhi Center, 505 East Central, Santa Ana.

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Wildfire Smoke and Heat Pose Potential Public Health Danger

March 11, 2007
Smoke from the Windy Ridge fire in the Anaheim Hills and City of Orange area may pose a health danger to individuals in Orange County, especially those in certain high-risk groups. In addition, high temperatures may also contribute to the public health danger.

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Local Food Establishments Receive Awards of Excellence

February 15, 2007
From a qualifying group of 9,300 food facilities throughout the County, the Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has issued 2,043 Award of Excellence certificates to local Orange County food facilities this month.

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Adopt a Valentine at Orange County Animal Care Services

February 5, 2007
The Orange County Animal Care Center will host its annual “Adopt A Valentine” Day on Saturday, February 10, 2007, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Animal Care Center located at 561 The City Drive South in Orange.

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Mental Health Services Act Growth Funding Plan Available for Review and Comment

February 5, 2007
The Orange County Health Care Agency’s plan to seek an additional $9 million in Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) growth funding for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 is now available for public review and comment during a 30-day period that ends March 7, 2007.

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Precautions Urged for Travel Associated with Lunar New Year – Tiếng Việt

January 29, 2007
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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Murine Typhus Cases Reported in Orange County

January 12, 2007
Two probable human cases of murine typhus have been reported to the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA).

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Health Officer Urges Safety Precautions Due To Colder Weather

January 11, 2007
Cooler than usual temperatures are forecast for Orange County and all of Southern California this weekend, bringing reminders about the importance of safely heating your home.

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