The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Uganda caused by Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus) to summarize CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians, case identification and testing, and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations. No suspected, probable, or confirmed EVD cases related to this outbreak have yet been reported in the United States. However, as a precaution and to remind clinicians about best practices, CDC is communicating with public health departments, public health laboratories, and healthcare workers in the United States to raise awareness of this outbreak.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) is announcing the launch of a data dashboard reporting Orange County Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Mortality trends for the purpose of informing mental health providers, researchers and policymakers in targeting services to specific demographic and geographic areas most at risk of drug and alcohol misuse.
This dashboard, along with other HCA data, can be found by visiting www.OCHealthinfo.com/data. Users can interact with the dashboard by filtering information by age, gender, race, city and/or ZIP Code. Data will be refreshed annually or more frequently, based on the availability of new data. The data is sourced through the California Comprehensive Death File (CCDF) and the opioid prescription information is from the California Department of Justice (CURES) Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System.
“While the data reports lives lost to the tragedy of drug and alcohol misuse, we are hopeful that the information will help make decisions to save lives in the future,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “At our recent Hope for Recovery event, resources and support were shared with members of the community and family members of those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.”
“Substance misuse prevention is most effective when we have data to inform policies,” said Vice Chairman, Donald Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “The dashboard will be a powerful tool for targeting prevention initiatives.”
HCA’s MHRS will be launching a NARCAN community education and distribution outreach effort utilizing the demographic and geographic data provided in the dashboard. NARCAN is a life-saving medication/ intervention that can reverse an opioid overdose, which is the drug responsible for most overdose deaths.
“Having a better understanding of who is most at risk of a drug or alcohol death will help us educate and support our community by reaching out to our most impacted populations,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District.
“Narcotics, fentanyl, and opioids have infiltrated every facet of our society – our communities, schools, most vulnerable populations,” stated Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “Tools like this are necessary to keep track of the escalating opioid crisis in Orange County and inform education on administering lifesaving drugs such as NARCAN, preventing tragedies in the long term.”
“Access to this data enhances our efforts to address substance misuse prevention,” said Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett, Fifth District. “Using current and relevant data resources, we can create, and support prevention efforts related to mental illness and substance misuse.”
“The updated data provided in the Drug and Alcohol Mortality and Misuse Dashboard will inform a wide variety of efforts, including public awareness campaigns and community outreach. Planning for opioid settlement funding is beginning and this data will further inform the use of funding,” says Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of MHRS. “It will help deepen our understanding of the problem areas and strengthen prevention and intervention efforts.”
If you or someone you know needs help for substance misuse, please call OC Links at (855) 625-4657, or visit www.ocnavigator.org.
(Santa Ana, CA) – A bat found outside the main lobby of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Building #1 on Alton Parkway in Irvine, on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at has tested positive for rabies. Given the location and circumstance, The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is urging residents to be on alert and avoid contact with any bats. Rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country. Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the HCA Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 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.
Report stray animals 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, an animal bite, or a stray animal, contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848.
More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning to school leaders last week about a new and concerning “rainbow fentanyl,” a potentially fatal drug found in brightly colored pills and powders that could attract young people.
In its letter, the CDPH points to a recent warning from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency that notes the highly addictive and potentially deadly “rainbow fentanyl” has been found in at least 18 states. Read the full CDPH warning.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Youth drug misuse and abuse is growing in our state with one in eight teens reporting abusing an illicit substance in the past year,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Mental Health and Recovery Services division. “Counterfeit pills are easily accessible via social media platforms and are increasing laced with fentanyl – one pill can kill!”
The CDC says fentanyl and other synthetic opioids cause most overdose deaths in the country. While these drugs generally have no tell-tale tastes, smells or visual indicators, there are signs associated with opioid overdoses. They include:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
“These brightly colored pills or powders laced with fentanyl could easily be mistaken for candy or chalk and pose a threat to our community,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA Chief Medical Officer. “I urge everyone in the community to spread awareness and learn how to use naloxone in the event of a fentanyl overdose or poisoning.”
Some California schools have created naloxone policies in response to increases in opioid overdoses among youth. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. The CDPH encourages schools that are interested in developing these policies and receiving free naloxone to review relevant regulations and apply for a Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project offers free naloxone to qualified organizations, including schools and universities.
Visit the CDPH Overdose Prevention Initiative site for more information, including resources for adult role models and educators.
Get more facts about fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is partnering with the Anaheim Ducks National Hockey League (NHL) Club in its first ever multi-year partnership to promote mental health awareness.
As part of the three-year partnership, the HCA will cross-promote its mental health wellness resources platform, the OC Navigator with the Anaheim Ducks. The promotion features the OC Navigator logo displayed on all player helmets. The OC Navigator tool is a robust online resource designed to connect the community with local mental health and support services, including recovery resources.
“Focusing on mental health is important for all ages, we are thrilled to support this partnership with the Anaheim Ducks organization,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.
“We are grateful to have an effective tool like the OC Navigator connecting all of Orange County with mental health resources,” said Vice Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “Sharing the message is key.”
The partnership will focus on the HCA’s mental health campaign across the Ducks’ organization. Beyond the Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks’ organization, the HCA will have visual signage at Rinks locations throughout Orange County and the ARTIC Transportation Center. Additional awareness will be featured on the NHL Club’s digital media channels, website, TV, and radio platforms.
“Every day, there are family, friends, and co-workers who suffer in silence,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “It’s important to know that you’re not alone. If you can’t talk to a friend or family member, there’s always someone at the National Hotline 9-8-8, ready to listen.”
“To urgently respond to the mental health crisis here in Orange County, we must prioritize removing the stigma around mental health and seeking help,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. We must remove the stigma to talk about dying, cancer, grief, depression, and our emotions. To help, we want to empower our diverse community of Orange County residents to take advantage of the wide range of mental health resources the county offers."
“Mental health impacts our entire community,” said Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett, Fifth District. “It is critical that those struggling with mental health issues know that help and resources are available and encourage them to reach out, and loved ones to reach in. I am so pleased to partner with the Anaheim Ducks to get this very important message out there. We can all play a role in promoting good mental health.”
In addition, the HCA will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Captain’s Challenge, a Ducks’ program for fifth-grade students that promotes healthy living and prepares students for the California Physical Fitness Test.
“Maintaining good mental health is as equally important as maintaining good physical health,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, the HCA’s Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services.
To celebrate the partnership, Ducks fans attending the team’s Opening Night game October 12 vs. Seattle will receive an OC Navigator paper hockey helmet courtesy of the HCA.
(Santa Ana, CA) – As 100+ Orange County schools celebrate International Walk To School Day on October 5, 2022, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages all drivers to be alert and vigilant about driving safely in school zones and asks residents to take the Go Human Safety Pledge to help keep our students safe.
Walk To School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools, and the community.
Many of our local schools will be organizing Walk to School festivities which include carrying safety signs and encouraging messages, local law enforcement and firefighters walking alongside kids, and guest speakers attending special school safety rallies. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike.
“The HCA has taken the Safety Pledge as a public agency and is proud to support this initiative,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, Agency Director. “With so many schools back to in-person learning, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about driving cautiously. Our hope is to have our cars and children safely co-exist on the streets in our communities.”
The HCA’s Public Health Services Injury Prevention team has supported the Walk To School program with education toolkits and materials, growing participation to more than 100 schools over the past 20 years. With the addition of this year’s Go Human Safety Pledge, local drivers are encouraged to contribute to the success of the annual Walk To School by taking the pledge to support local schools and our community.
(Santa Ana, CA) – A bat found at a parking lot located at Pickleball Court #1 at the Fountain Valley Tennis Center, 16400 Brookhurst Street in the City of Fountain Valley, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at around 10:30 a.m., has tested positive for rabies. Given the location and circumstance, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is urging residents to be on the alert and avoid contact with any bats. Rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country. Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the HCA Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 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.
Report stray animals 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, an animal bite, or a stray animal, contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848.
More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in a 9/13/22 update to several State Public Health Officer Orders, that mandated testing of the small number of unvaccinated workers will no longer be required.
The rescinded Health Officer Orders remove the weekly screening testing requirements for employees in certain high-risk settings (dental offices, schools, certain congregate settings and health care and adult care facilities) that previously applied to unvaccinated or un-boosted workers. Additionally, Acute Care Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities and Adult and Senior Care Residential Facilities licensed by the California Department of Social Services will no longer require visitors to show proof of vaccination or a negative test for indoor visitation.
Vaccination and booster requirements for workers in these settings will not change and these changes do not affect the masking requirements for individuals in high-risk settings.
The updated State Health Officer Orders will go into effect on September 17, 2022. The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) will publish amended Health Officer Orders to reflect these changes September 16, 2022.
Due to Orange County’s recent declines in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved the county into the Low Community Level. See CDC Tracker. Downward trends and reduction in severe illnesses are particularly welcome news for local health care systems, which continue to be strained by the pandemic.
At this level, the CDC recommends residents continue to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and updated bivalent booster recommendations when eligible and follow isolation recommendations if an individual becomes sick or is suspected to have COVID-19.
Although Orange County has low community levels, residents are advised to remain vigilant as many viruses – including influenza, rhinovirus, enterovirus and COVID-19 variant strains are circulating through the community and causing illness and with flu season fast approaching. All preventive measures learned during the COVID-19 pandemic such as receiving recommended vaccines (COVID-19, flu, and other childhood vaccinations), staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask when indoors for high-risk individuals can all be utilized to keep residents safe in the upcoming months.
Testing for COVID-19 remains a key tool to detect and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Individuals experiencing symptoms are advised to test and isolate. Additionally, if outbreaks do occur, testing can still be utilized to detect and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
(Santa Ana, CA) – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and to raise awareness of this important issue, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) will be lighting up the exterior of the County of Orange Administrative Offices as well as other iconic locations throughout Orange County in teal and purple during the week of September 19.
John Wayne Airport, the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), Knott’s Berry Farm, Huntington Beach’s Pier and the Nixon Library are just a few of the locations that will be lit up in teal and purple to symbolize suicide prevention awareness. The campaign of colorful lights is to spark meaningful conversations and to save lives by raising awareness that suicide is preventable.
“Building resilience is important for all ages, but students in particular can be vulnerable,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “Suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults, many of whom feel ill-equipped to navigate the mental health system. Simply dialing ‘9-8-8’ on your phone can immediately connect you with someone who can help. Through this campaign, we want to inspire hope in the community and this campaign serves as a reminder that we need to openly talk about suicide.”
“As we Light Up Hope throughout Orange County, we must not forget our veterans,” said Vice-Chairman Donald Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “Suicide rates among veterans is twice as high than non-veterans and veterans ages 18-34 continue to die by suicide at 1.65 times higher rate than other veteran age groups, overall. Help is out there for our frontline heroes. If you are a veteran or a concerned family member of a veteran, please dial 9-8-8 and press “1” to be immediately connected to a live person qualified to support veterans.”
“Every day, there are family and friends, co-workers and classmates, who suffer in silence,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “For many, it’s too difficult to talk about – let alone ask for help. Depression, feeling down, suicidal thoughts – they can affect everyone. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, how old you are, the job you have, or how much money you earn. It’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are people who can help and can be trusted to keep your conversations confidential. If you are someone who has experienced times of struggle or have recently had feelings of hopelessness, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or sending a text to 9-8-8 to connect with someone who can help. That number works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is available in multiple languages.”
“The tragic reality is that we must prioritize removing the barriers of stigma our LGBTQ+ youth and our veterans’ community in Orange County face when they seek support,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “When we see disproportionate rates of LGBTQ+ youth and veterans dying from suicide in proportion to the general population, it’s clear we must do more as a society to fix this. As Supervisor, I am spearheading efforts to ensure LGBTQ+ youth know they are accepted and supported and to identify socially isolated veterans within our community, so no one gets left behind. I am committed to encouraging, protecting and empowering our most vulnerable populations so they can access life-saving services our county has to offer in a timely manner.”
“Suicide impacts the senior community particularly hard,” said Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett, Fifth District. “Older adults comprise just 12% of the population but make up 18% of all suicides. Loneliness is one of the top reasons why older adults attempt suicide which reinforces how critical social connections are to good mental health. Keep in touch with your older loved ones – even if it is via Zoom. Ask them how they are feeling and if you get signs that they are depressed or anxious, or notice they start to give away possessions and put their affairs in order, express your concern, reassure them and – most importantly – get help. Remember, suicide is preventable and by recognizing the signs and acting on them, you might be able to save someone’s life.”
“To spread the message of hope, the Office of Suicide Prevention of the HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services Division (MHRS), is coordinating many partner and provider events including a social media campaign with the Los Angeles Angels to raise local and global awareness of suicide prevention and stigma reduction,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of MHRS. “A calendar of the suicide prevention events, and workshops has been posted on our website at www.LightUpHopeOC.com. I want to emphasize that suicide is preventable and there is hope for those who are struggling. Please reach out and use the tools to help a loved one you may be concerned about.”
Some of the signs that a loved one is considering suicide might be:
Talking about wanting to die or being a burden to others
Find the words:
Listen, express concern, reassure
If it is safe, remove weapons from the home
Reach Out:
In addition to calling the 9-8-8 lifeline, additional resources are available by visiting www.OCNavigator.org or by calling (855) OC-LINKS.
Visit LightUpHOpeOC.com for a list of lighted landmarks and locations and to learn how you can support the message. To learn more about helping someone who is struggling, visit www.suicideispreventable.org.
If you or someone you know is in need of support with an emotional crisis or thinking about suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 at 9-8-8.
