While cases of mpox have been at low levels this year, mpox transmission has continued to occur in California and clusters have been reported in other states. Last week routine surveillance testing identified mpox in wastewater specimens in Orange County. No recent clinical cases have been reported to OCHCA, but we want to remind providers to continue to be vigilant in recognizing potential cases, particularly during the LGBTQ Pride Event Season. The diagnosis of mpox should be considered when evaluating patients with rash illness. Patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections should be assessed for mpox rash. Most cases of mpox infections have been among gay, bisexual, same-gender-loving, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). More info...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to supplement the CDC HAN Health Advisory issued on May 17, 2023. This Health Update provides updates on the status of the ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak and highlights interim recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. More info...
(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency’s 2021-2022 Biennial Ocean, Harbor & Bay Water Quality Report is now available online and provides a yearly analysis of bacteriological water quality data over a 22-year period for Orange County’s ocean recreational waters. The report also incorporates historical data during the 35-year period from 1987-2022.
Yearly data and trends are included that represent the period from 2000-2022 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 85 sewage spills were reported to the Water Quality Team in 2022, which was well below the 33-year average of 184 spills per year. One spill carried over from 2021 to 2022.
In 2022, 4% of the 85 sewage spills reported resulted in ocean, harbor and bay water closures representing a total of three ocean water closures for the year.
Blockages in pipelines have been responsible for an average of 72% of all beach closures since 1999. The major causes of pipeline blockages during this period include the infiltration of roots (31%), buildup of grease (25%), and unknown sources (22%).
Rain advisories are issued when bacterial levels are elevated and can cause illness to swimmers, surfers and divers. In 2022, twelve rain advisories were issued resulting in a total of 46 rain advisory days for the year.
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.
Twenty-eight acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections have been confirmed in San Diego County residents with symptom onset between January 10, 2023, and May 4, 2023. Ages of the cases ranged from 29–67 years (median=45). Twenty-two cases (79%) have been hospitalized and one death has occurred. Eighteen of the 28 cases (64%) are persons experiencing homelessness (PEH), and 14 cases (50%) reported illicit drug use. Only 4 (14%) patients reported travel outside of the county. No common food, beverage, or drug sources have yet been identified. Case investigations are ongoing and epidemiologic curve and case numbers are updated weekly on the County of San Diego’s website.
Orange County has not seen an increase in HAV cases so far in 2023 and have not identified any cases related to the San Diego event. Hepatitis A is reportable in Orange County within one (1) working day of identification. To report a case, health care providers/facilities should call OCHCA Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180 or fax records to 714-560-4050. More info...
(Santa Ana, CA) – In preparation for summertime when many Orange County (OC) residents increase time spent at a favorite beach or pool, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages residents to attend Water Safety Challenge events on Saturday, May 20 at many local pools and beaches to make drowning prevention a key part of water activities.
At the Water Safety Challenge events, families will rotate through a series of stations designed to teach water safety skills. These include CPR, safe water rescue, and in-water skills for kids such as floating on their backs, treading water, swimming to the side of the pool, and more. These and other activities allow parents to evaluate a child’s swimming ability along with their strengths and weaknesses in the water.
Children and parents will also be instructed on the “ABCs” of water safety which are:
Active Adult supervision
Barriers around pools and spas
Classes on swimming and CPR.
“Drowning is a leading cause of death for children under age five in Orange County,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services. “Knowing the ABCs of water safety and other drowning prevention tips will help residents more easily remember ways to keep their children and loved ones safe around pools and beaches.”
The HCA along with the OC Drowning Prevention Coalition DrowningPreventionOC.org and the Jasper Ray Foundation https://jasperray.org/ sponsor the Water Safety Challenge and drowning prevention efforts in Orange County. Drowning consistently remains the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years of age, and among the top-five leading causes for those under the age of 18 years, both in Orange County and California. Each year, near drowning incidents also result in life-long disabilities. Drowning is also a risk for older adults, specifically those 50 and older, with drowning incidents among this age group more likely to result in fatalities.
(Santa Ana, CA) — Orange County has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to identify and mitigate lead-based paint hazards in households, whether the properties are owner-occupied or rented. Owners of residential homes and rental units are encouraged to learn more and to apply for the lead removal service, which will be done at no cost to the property owner. Since there is no safe level of lead exposure, it is important to identify and remove any trace of lead in homes.
Households that may qualify for the lead hazards removal must meet certain criteria:
The residence must be in Orange County and built before 1978.
The residence must have a child under six years of age or a pregnant person who might be exposed to lead living there.
The family must meet low-income status.
For more information, and to apply for the no cost service, families and property owners may check the Azure Community Development website at https://www.azuredevelopmentco.com/ or contact the company at info@azuredevelopmentco.com or (323) 477-1160. The HUD grant was awarded to Azure Community Development.
Azure Community Development collaborates with the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program (CLPPP) (https://ochealthinfo.com/lead) to implement a Lead Hazard Reduction Program (LHRP) in Orange County. The company will also partner with the Laborers’ International Union of North America - Local 300 (LiLUNA) to make homes lead-safe.
Lead-based paint, dust or soil can be found in older homes and is a health hazard, especially for children. Lead poisoning can cause a lifetime of negative health impacts. The LHRP provides for the remediation of identified lead hazards in the interior and exterior of qualified homes and to protect the health of families living in the residence, at no charge to the property owner.
CDC has received reports that some STD programs are currently unable to procure enough penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) – the first-line recommended treatment for syphilis – to treat syphilis cases in their jurisdictions. The manufacturer anticipates the issue will be resolved in the next two months. In the meantime, they are working closely with CDC and FDA to address urgent requests. More info...
