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Recall Date: May 15, 2025

(Santa Ana, CA) —  The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) biennial Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report, 2023 - 2024 shows the number of beach closures in Orange County (OC) caused by sewage spills, remains below the 38-year average for the 13th consecutive year. The report, available online, provides a yearly analysis of bacteriological water quality data over a 25-year period for Orange County’s ocean recreational waters and incorporates historical data during the 38-year period from 1987-2024.
 
Yearly data and trends are included that represent the period from 2000-2024 since California Assembly Bill 411 (AB 411) regarding bacteriological water quality has been in place to ensure ocean water quality meets standards to protect public health. Major findings of the report include:

• A total number of 71 sewage spills were reported to the Water Quality Team in 2024, which was well below the 38-year average of 178 spills per year.
• In 2024, 4% of the 71 sewage spills reported resulted in ocean, harbor and bay water closures representing a total of only three ocean water closures for the year.
• The Posted Warnings due to violations of bacteriological water quality standards continue to trend down with excellent water quality recorded at Seal Beach/Surfside/Sunset Beach, Huntington City Beach, Huntington State Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Slough, Dana Point Beach, Capistrano Bay District and San Clemente Beach monitoring locations from April 1 to October 31.
• Rain advisories are issued when bacterial levels are elevated and can cause illness to swimmers, surfers and divers. In 2024, nine rain advisories were issued resulting in a total of 64 rain advisory days for the year.

The full report, which includes details related to sewage spills as well as ocean, harbor and bay water closures, was prepared by the OC Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Water Quality Team and is available by clicking Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report, 2023 - 2024. The Water Quality Team is responsible for protecting the public from exposure to ocean and bay waters that may be contaminated with sewage or may cause illness along Orange County’s coastal areas. To learn more, visit www.ocbeachinfo.com.

In addition to the findings of the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report, 2023 - 2024, Orange County beaches showed continued improvement by again topping the “Honor Roll” in the Beach Report Card from Heal the Bay for the second consecutive year. 

ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources. 

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The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Environmental Health Services, has closed the open coastal water area in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach spanning from the Talbert Channel outfall at Huntington State Beach to the projection of Grant Street in Newport Beach due to a sewage spill. The sewage spill of approximately 4,000 gallons was caused by a roots and grease blockage of a sewer line in Costa Mesa. The affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
 
For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay, or harbor postings and closures, please call (714) 433-6400 or visit our Web site at www.OCBeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.

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(Santa Ana, CA) —  The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a warning due to the detection of dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and domoic acid biotoxins in bivalve shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops). Due to the elevated levels of biotoxins, all recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish from areas between Santa Barbara and San Diego, including Orange County (OC) are unsafe for consumption. OC Environmental Health is collecting shellfish samples for testing.
 
Additionally, beginning May 1st and until October 31st, the CDPH issues a routine, annual mussel quarantine to protect public health during warmer months when PSP and domoic acid levels are more likely to be elevated. The overlap of this annual mussel quarantine along with the warning due to recent detections of elevated biotoxins reinforces the need for caution and adherence to the quarantine to prevent serious illness or death.
 
This advisory does not apply to commercial shellfish from approved sources. For additional information call the Shellfish Hotline at 1-800-553-4133 or online at the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Quarantines and Health Advisories.

ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources. 

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(Santa Ana, CA) —  A bat found at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake has tested positive for rabies. The bat was found on the ground near a walking path around the lake on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 to determine the risk for rabies. This phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian.

The rabies virus is found in an animal’s saliva and is transmitted to people by a bite from a rabid animal. Although very rare, contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the saliva of a rabid animal can also transmit rabies. Most cases of human rabies in the United States in recent years have resulted from bat strains of rabies; bats have very small teeth, and their bites may go unnoticed.

Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. For that reason, preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies. Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned, and preventive treatment can be started. This treatment is safe and effective.

The HCA and OC Animal Care recommend the following actions to minimize the risk of rabies:

• Avoid all contact with wild animals.
• Vaccinate all cats and dogs against rabies.
• Do not sleep with open unscreened windows or doors.
• If bats are seen inside the house or other structure, close off the area and contact animal control. Once the bat(s) have been removed, close off any areas allowing entrance into the house.
• Do not leave pet food outside where it will attract wild animals.
• Immediately wash all animal bites with soap and water, being sure to flush the wound well, then contact your doctor.
• Report all animal bites to OC Animal Care.

Potential exposure to a bat or other wild animal should be reported to the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180.

To report a bat in your home, or an animal bite, contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848. Find out more at www.ocpetinfo.com/field-operations/wildlife-information.

You can download a flyer that contains information on what to do if you come in contact with a bat and who to contact by clicking here.

More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources. 

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) invites the community to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at convenient locations throughout Orange County (OC). The public is encouraged to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse. 

“Every pill removed from a medicine cabinet is one less opportunity for misuse,” said Ian Kemmer, HCA’s Director of Behavioral Health Services. “National Take Back Day empowers our community to take simple but powerful action in preventing addiction and saving lives.”

This initiative addresses a crucial public safety and health concern and aligns with the HCA’s commitment to the well-being of the OC community by promoting the responsible disposal of medications to prevent misuse and combat opioid addiction.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day serves as a vital reminder of our collective responsibility in keeping our communities safe. To find a convenient Take Back drop-off location, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1 (800) 882-9539. The drop-off service is both free and anonymous.

For further information on medication misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to discover year-round safe disposal options, please visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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