An outbreak of Andes virus, a known species of hantavirus, has been reported on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic. This outbreak has a extremely low risk of spread or impact to the general public.
As of 8 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of eight cases, including three deaths.
As of May 9, CDC has notified CDPH of three California residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius. One passenger has returned to California, and two are being repatriated to a facility in Nebraska for evaluation before returning to California.
In addition, a fourth traveler, not on the ship, but while overseas, became a close contact with a known case. This person has returned to California.
CDPH is supporting the local health departments in the two returned travelers’ counties of residence in conducting ongoing public health monitoring.
Plans for repatriation of the other passengers are still being finalized. CDC is planning to conduct health assessments prior to passengers returning to their homes. CDPH will notify local health departments with resident passengers still aboard.
Andes virus is the only species of hantavirus with known person to person transmission, and is endemic to South America. The most common hantavirus in North America, Sin Nombre Virus, does not spread person to person.
CDPH is in close contact with CDC and the WHO. This is an evolving situation, and information is current as of May 11. New or changing information will be updated as it becomes available.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is monitoring an outbreak of illness caused by Andes virus, a known species of hantavirus, among passengers and crew of the MV Hondius cruise ship. CDPH was notified by CDC that three California residents were among the vessel’s passengers. One of the passengers had already disembarked and returned to California. CDPH is working with the local health department (LHD) where this passenger resides for monitoring. Two California residents remained aboard the vessel until they were able to disembark in Tenerife, Canary Islands and be repatriated to a medical facility in Nebraska. In addition, a fourth traveler, who was not onboard the MV Hondius, was determined to be in close contact with a case from the ship while overseas. As with the returned passenger from the MV Hondius, they are being monitored by their LHD. CDPH will notify California LHDs of any additional returned or repatriated passengers in their jurisdictions when this information becomes available. Currently, CDC and CDPH assess the risk to the general public as extremely low. To date, no Orange County residents have been identified as a contact in this outbreak.
BHS staff, and Judge Tania R. Vallejo, at the West Justice Center in Westminster celebrated the initial class of three graduates under Prop. 36 for their hard work, perseverance, and willingness to accept support through their recovery journey. Recovery is possible when we work together to support people on their path to healing. The HCA extends our warmest congratulations to all the 49 graduates since Prop. 36 began and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
After a local mom was called to meet with her son’s elementary school principal for the fifth time due to anger outbursts, the school contacted OC Links for a mobile crisis response. The Mobile Crisis Team responding helped link the youth to outpatient mental health services. Through participation in the program, her son improved his behavior considerably.
OC’s first graduate shared, “I’ve never completed a program like this before. I’m proud of myself.” When an individual graduates from the CARE Act program, that milestone represents more than personal success – it reflects the strength of Interagency collaboration and HCA’s shared commitment to addressing behavioral health challenges in our community. Thank you to our partners at the OC Public Defender Office and Telecare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and health departments about a new cluster of hantavirus disease cases caused by infection with Andes virus. Hantavirus disease can cause severe illness and can be fatal. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for imported cases, although the risk of broad spread to the United States is considered extremely unlikely at this time. As a precaution, this health advisory summarizes CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments, clinical laboratories, and healthcare workers about hantavirus disease case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.
A case of measles has been confirmed in an infant who is an Orange County resident who recently returned from international travel. The OC Health Care Agency’s, Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) is reaching out to identified contacts.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) received confirmation of a measles case in an infant who had history of international travel. The HCA is notifying individuals who were exposed to the person in health care and other settings.
“Measles is highly contagious. Anyone planning domestic or international travel—or hosting visitors—should be fully vaccinated at least two weeks beforehand. Infants less than a year old who are traveling internationally should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before departure. Adults and others who are not immune remain at risk, especially as outbreaks continue across the country and worldwide,” said Dr. Anissa Davis, Deputy County Health Officer. “Vaccination is the best protection.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have already been 1,792 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026. By comparison, 2025 saw 2,267 cases, the highest annual total in more than 30 years. This is the third case of measles in Orange County in 2026.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, red watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the head before spreading to the rest of the body. Measles is the most contagious disease known, and it spreads very easily through the air and by direct contact with an infected person. People are contagious from approximately four days before the rash begins through four days after the rash appears.
Anyone who suspects they may have measles should call their medical provider before arriving at the medical office to avoid exposing others. Clinicians should immediately report any suspected measles cases to the OC Health Care Agency for guidance and testing coordination.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. About measles immunization:
Immunizing household members, including children, adolescents, and adults, is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given between 4 and 6 years of age, before starting school.
Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Children 6 to 12 months of age who are traveling internationally are recommended to receive a dose of the MMR vaccine prior to travel, to decrease their risk of infection. Before travel to domestic measles outbreak areas talk to a health care provider about following immunization recommendations for international travel.
Children 12 months and older, as well as adults, should receive two doses, at least 28 days apart, before travel if not already vaccinated.
The liver is essential for cleaning the blood and storing energy. Although it can repair itself, repeated or long‑term injury can lead to chronic liver disease. As the disease worsens, the liver cannot perform its vital functions, which can become life‑threatening. In severe cases, chronic liver disease leads to liver failure, which may cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, and swelling in the abdomen and legs. It also increases the risk of liver cancer. Chronic liver disease is a leading cause of death in both Orange County and the United States.
Common causes of liver damage include frequent alcohol use, excess body weight, and viral infections known as hepatitis. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common viruses affecting the liver. These infections may cause sudden liver failure or progress silently for years, eventually leading to chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis A Virus
Hepatitis A spreads through the fecal–oral route, which means the virus leaves the body in the stool of an infected person and then gets into another person’s mouth. This usually happens through contaminated food or water or through close personal contact. Poor handwashing can easily spread the virus.
Before the hepatitis A vaccine was introduced in 1996, outbreaks were common among young children - especially in childcare centers. Since then, infections have dropped significantly. Most current cases occur in unvaccinated adults, often after traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common. In the US, outbreaks have also been linked to fresh produce handled by infected workers or exposed to contaminated water.
Hepatitis A usually causes acute, short‑term illness. Most people recover on their own without lasting liver damage, but the infection can still cause significant symptoms and may require medical care.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. The vaccine is recommended for all children starting at one year of age, and unvaccinated older children and adults can receive it at any time. Anyone traveling outside the United States who has not been vaccinated is strongly encouraged to talk with a health care provider about getting the hepatitis A vaccine.
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and bodily fluids. People can become infected through shared household items with traces of blood such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, or sharing needles or blood-sugar testing equipment. It can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluid – direct contact with skin wounds or through sexual contact. Pregnant people with hepatitis B can pass the virus to their baby during childbirth.
Hepatitis B can cause either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) infection. Infants and young children often show no symptoms at first, but are much more likely to develop lifelong infection, raising the risk of chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer.
A safe and effective vaccine has been available for decades to prevent hepatitis B. Beginning in the early 1990s, newborns began receiving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, which has been highly effective at preventing infection in infants. Antiviral medications can manage chronic hepatitis B but do not cure it, so ongoing monitoring is essential.
Current Recommendations to Protect Against Hepatitis B Include:
• Screening all pregnant people for hepatitis B during every pregnancy • Vaccinating all newborns at birth • Ensuring all children and adults complete the hepatitis B vaccine series • Testing all adults at least once to learn if they are infected or if they still need vaccination
Knowing one’s hepatitis B status helps prevent transmission and supports early liver‑health monitoring.
Hepatitis C Virus
Identified in 1989, hepatitis C was once commonly spread through blood transfusions. This risk dropped sharply after donor screening began in 1992. Today, transmission occurs mostly through sharing needles or other equipment used for injected drugs.
Many newly infected individuals have no symptoms, but most develop chronic infection, which can cause serious long‑term liver damage.
Unlike hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. However, since 2013, new antiviral treatments have become available that cure over 90% of infections, allowing most people with hepatitis C to be successfully treated.
Because early infection is often silent, all adults should be tested at least once in their lifetime. People with ongoing risk—such as those who inject drugs—should be tested more regularly. Treatment for hepatitis C is widely available.
Protecting Your Liver
Hepatitis A, B, and C all affect the liver differently:
Hepatitis A: spreads through contaminated food, water or close contact; usually causes short-term illness; preventable with vaccination
Hepatitis B: spreads through blood and bodily fluids; can be acute or chronic; preventable with vaccination
Hepatitis C: spreads through blood-to-blood contact; often becomes chronic; highly curable with treatment
No matter the type, taking proactive steps can protect both your health and the health of those around you.
Simple Steps to Keep Your Liver Healthy
• Maintain a healthy weight • Limit or avoid alcohol • Get tested for hepatitis B and C • Follow treatment and monitoring if infected • Make sure you and your family are vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A and B vaccines work very well. Countries that use the hepatitis A vaccine widely have seen big drops in the number of people getting sick over the past 30 years. Giving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth has almost completely stopped childhood hepatitis B in the United States. High vaccination rates help keep families and communities safe.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C yet, but there are treatments that can cure most people. These treatments help prevent liver damage and reduce new infections.
Getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B—and getting tested for hepatitis C so treatment can start early if needed—are important steps to help reduce hepatitis in the United States.
Dr. Christopher Zimmerman is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He has more than a decade of experience as a primary care physician taking care of both adults and children. Dr. Zimmerman also trained as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and holds a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He has extensive experience on vaccination and vaccine preventable diseases from the CDC, the New York City Department of Public Health as well as working on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with the World Health Organization.
(Santa Ana, CA) – A bat found in Fullerton has tested positive for rabies. The bat was on the stairs near the music building at Fullerton College on the northeast corner of Chapman and Lemon on Friday, April 17th, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with the 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 during business hours or after hours to determine the risk for rabies. 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 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. More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
