(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has received reports of three probable cases of mpox in Orange County (OC) in the past week. The three cases are the first reported in OC since April 8, 2023; five total cases have been reported here in 2023. While case counts are lower this year, mpox cases continue to be reported in Southern California and around the country. The best way to protect oneself from getting mpox is by completing the two-dose mpox vaccination regimen.
The mpox vaccine has been shown to be safe and highly effective when people complete the vaccine series (two doses, at least 28 days apart). During last month’s OC Pride Event, the HCA’s Public Health Services administered more than 80 mpox vaccinations to attendees. Since last year, more than 7,500 people in OC have received their first dose of mpox vaccine. However, 30% of those who received the first dose, have not received a second dose to complete their vaccination series.
To find a vaccine near you and schedule an appointment to be vaccinated, visit MYTURN.CA.GOV.
If you think you might have mpox or been exposed to someone with mpox, talk to your health care provider. The mpox vaccine can decrease your risk of getting sick if given within 14 days of being exposed. Testing for mpox is widely available and treatment for mpox can be discussed with your provider. If you do not have a regular provider, call 2-1-1 or the HCA's Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 for assistance.
(Santa Ana, CA) - Summer travel is underway and the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages residents from Orange County (OC) to be up to date on measles vaccinations, following a Health Alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC warns of an increase in measles cases, with 88% of the cases connected to international travel. You can read the CDC’s Health Alert here.
“Measles (rubeola) is extremely contagious,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services. “One person infected by measles can infect 9 out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts. To prevent infection and spread, residents, especially those planning to travel overseas or who are welcoming visitors from overseas, should make sure they are up to date on their MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine,” she said.
The CDC has been notified of 16 confirmed U.S. cases of measles since the first of 2023, compared to 3 cases during the same time period in 2022. Most of the cases were among children who had not received the MMR vaccine. To prevent measles infection and spread from importation, all U.S. residents should be up to date on their MMR vaccinations, especially prior to international travel, regardless of the destination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to share information and notify clinicians, public health authorities, and the public about —
Identification of locally acquired malaria cases (P. vivax) in two U.S. states (Florida [4] and Texas [1]) within the last 2 months,
Concern for a potential rise in imported malaria cases associated with increased international travel in summer 2023, and
Need to plan for rapid access to IV artesunate, which is the first-line treatment for severe malaria in the United States.
The entire CDC HAN is available at the following link:
Take the Test & Take the Next Step: Check your status and know.
(Santa Ana, CA) - National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is June 27 and Orange County (OC) residents are encouraged to “Take the Test & Take the Next Step” to know your status for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Knowing your status is the first step to engaging in prevention or treatment services that enable individuals, regardless of your status, to live a long and healthy life.
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people between 13 and 64 years of age get tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, at least once as part of routine health care. For those at high risk of HIV, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and persons who inject drugs, the recommendation is for testing at least once per year as part of routine health care. If you have been waiting or thinking about getting tested for HIV, now’s the time.
If you have never been tested for HIV, ask your health care provider for an HIV test. For those who test negative and are at high risk for HIV, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication to prevent HIV is available. In addition to health care providers throughout Orange County, the following agencies offer free confidential HIV testing and free or low-cost PrEP services:
APAIT Health Center: Testing is offered Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (714) 636-1349 or visit www.apaitonline.org/ for more information. In recognition of NHTD, testing hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and walk-ins are encouraged on Tuesday, June 27. In addition, APAIT will be participating in The Greater Than AIDS campaign (www.greaterthan.org) offering free HIV testing in partnership with Walgreens located at 12001 Euclid St., Garden Grove, CA 92840 and Walgreens located at 128 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on NHTD at both Walgreens locations.
OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing & Treatment Clinic: Walk-ins accepted based on availability. Clinic hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information.
Radiant Health Centers: Walk-ins accepted. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (949) 809-8764 or visit www.radianthealthcenters.org for more information.
The LGBTQ Center Orange County: Testing is offered Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment or for more information call (714) 953-5428 or visit www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/. A special gift will be offered to those who test on Tuesday, June 27 in celebration of NHTD.
For HIV self-testing, the TakeMeHome Program offers free confidential HIV self-test kits that can be ordered online for individuals (17 or older) who are at risk for HIV and have never tested or who have not tested in the past six months: https://takemehome.org.
At the end of 2022, there were 6,916 people living with HIV in Orange County.
The CDC estimates that an additional 1,288 Orange County residents have HIV and don’t know it, and some will develop AIDS before knowing they have HIV.
During 2022, there were 259 Orange County residents newly diagnosed with AIDS. Of those, 22% (or 57) learned they had HIV at the same time, indicating they were living with HIV for many years before getting ill. Many had been to a health care setting like an emergency room, a community health center, or their doctor, but were not tested for HIV. A simple HIV test and treatment can prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.
Advances in HIV treatment have resulted in people living with HIV living longer and having fewer medical conditions directly related to HIV and AIDS. In 2022, 77% of individuals living with HIV in Orange County received care. Of the 259 individuals newly diagnosed in 2022, 76% were linked to care in 30 days or less.
As the summer travel season begins, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to remind clinicians and public health officials to provide guidance for measles prevention to international travelers and to be on alert for cases of measles. Guidance is also provided for people planning international travel. Measles (rubeola) is extremely contagious; one person infected by measles can infect 9 out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts. As of June 8, 2023, CDC has been notified of 16 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 11 jurisdictions, with 14 (88%) linked to international travel. Based on current estimates, twice as many Americans are planning to travel internationally in 2023 compared with 2022. Many countries and popular travel destinations, such as London, England, have experienced measles outbreaks in recent years. The United States has seen an increase in measles cases during the first 5 months of 2023, with 16 reported cases compared with 3 in 2022 during the same period. Most of these cases were among children who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. To prevent measles infection and spread from importation, all U.S. residents should be up to date on their MMR vaccinations, especially prior to international travel regardless of the destination.
(Santa Ana, CA) - To elevate awareness and help prevent a resurgence of MPOX in Orange County, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is sponsoring the Health and Wellness Zone (Zone) at the OC PRIDE Festival on Saturday, June 24, in downtown Santa Ana. The Zone is a new feature for the festival and the HCA’s Public Health Services (PHS) will offer no-cost MPOX vaccinations. In addition, the HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) will provide information on connecting via the OC Navigator to the variety of resources that are available to OC’s LGBTQ+ residents.
“The HCA is taking an active role in promoting public and mental health with our commitment to making MPOX vaccinations available during the festival,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and Chief of PHS. “It’s important for everyone who wants the MPOX vaccine to understand this is a 2-dose regimen, so make sure you complete the process for the best protection. The second dose should be taken 4 weeks after the first dose,” she said.
The HCA’s MPOX vaccination booth will be located at the festival in the Health and Wellness Zone. Walk-ups are welcome or MPOX appointments can be scheduled at any time by visiting https://myturn.ca.gov/. To best serve festival goers, the HCA is partnering with Viet Rainbow OC, APAIT, Radiant Health, The LGBTQ Center OC and Shanti OC which will have booths in the Health and Wellness Zone.
HCA’s Chief of Public Health Services and Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services will be speaking on stage and will be joined by Univision TV and radio personality Luis Sandoval, the HCA’s partner and ambassador to the Spanish speaking community on the importance of MPOX vaccinations.
The HCA will also have a photo booth which will offer opportunities for OC’s LGBTQ+ population to take part in future educational campaigns. For more information visit the HCA’s Health and Wellness booth at the festival.
