The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is closely monitoring an Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda caused by Sudan virus and a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania. To date, no cases of Sudan virus disease (SVD) or MVD related to these outbreaks have been reported in the United States or other countries outside of the affected countries. On February 6, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory on the Ebola Outbreak Caused by Sudan virus in Uganda. The full CAHAN Disease Notification provides information about the SVD and MVD outbreaks and summarizes CDPH’s recommendations for case identification, testing, clinical laboratory biosafety and other considerations in California. More info...
Two Orange County cats have been diagnosed with presumptive HPAI influenza A (H5N1). These animals reportedly consumed raw pet food sold at a farmers’ market. No transmission to humans has been identified at this time.
Veterinary providers should consider HPAI infection when evaluating ill pets, particularly cats, with a history of consumption of raw milk or raw food. Ill cats can have influenza testing performed by commercial veterinary diagnostic labs. For animals that die and are suspected of being infected with HPAI, the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division should be contacted at (714) 834-8180; we can arrange for postmortem testing of animal brains, at the HCA’s Public Health Laboratory. More info...
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are at increased risk for HIV and hepatitis C. The vast majority of recent HIV cases among PEH in Orange County have been co-infected with syphilis and hepatitis C. This emphasizes the need for routine HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing among this population.
HCA encourages local healthcare providers and community partners serving people experiencing homelessness to:
Test individuals who are unhoused for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C
Provide condoms and harm reduction supplies for protection from HIV, hepatitis C and STIs
Learn about treatment options to help individuals who are HIV+ to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable HIV viral load and
Know prevention and harm reduction options for those HIV-negative; these include HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), which protect individuals from acquiring HIV
See “Dear Colleague letter” from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on emergency department testing and treatment for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. More info...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to clinicians and laboratories due to sporadic human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses amid high levels of seasonal influenza activity. CDC is recommending a shortened timeline for subtyping all influenza A specimens among hospitalized patients and increasing efforts at clinical laboratories to identify non-seasonal influenza. Clinicians and laboratorians are reminded to test for influenza in patients with suspected influenza and, going forward, to now expedite the subtyping of influenza A-positive specimens from hospitalized patients, particularly those in an intensive care unit (ICU). This approach can help prevent delays in identifying human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, supporting optimal patient care and timely infection control and case investigation. More info...
(Santa Ana, CA)– The OC Health Care Agency, Environmental Health Services, has closed the open coastal water area in Laguna Beach spanning from Treasure Island Beach to Table Rock at Aliso Beach due to a sewage spill. The sewage spill of approximately 465,000 gallons was caused by a force main sewer line break near the Laguna Niguel Regional Park that has since been repaired. 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.
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.
(Santa Ana, CA)– The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a case of measles in an infant returning from international travel to Orange County (OC). The person visited the following locations in OC while infectious:
November 30, 12 noon to 5 p.m., Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Emergency Department
December 2, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. CHOC Emergency Department
December 3, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. CHOC Emergency Department
The HCA has been working with Children’s Hospital of Orange County to contact anyone who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. People who were in the locations above around the same time(s) should:
Review whether they are immune to measles or not. People who are not fully immunized against measles or who don’t know if they are immune to measles already should talk with a health care provider about whether they should receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately for guidance.
“Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe disease in some individuals. Common symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “With recent and upcoming holiday travel there are potential areas of exposure. If you are planning to travel and have not been immunized, talk to a provider to consider getting a vaccine. It is important for those returning from travel to monitor for symptoms. If a rash develops, call your medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others to the measles virus. Immunization provides the best protection.”
For those planning to travel to areas outside of the US, consider talking to a health care provider to discuss recommended vaccines.
Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
Infants under 12 months old who are traveling internationally should receive an early MMR vaccine dose at 6 through 11 months.
Immunizing children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
MMR vaccines are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given.
Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Receiving an MMR vaccine before international travel is recommended for those who have not already received two doses.
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.
