The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks. In addition, a recent increase in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States has been reported. Healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if recommended. Healthcare providers should recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease such as older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions. Healthcare providers should also counsel patients about testing and other preventive measures, including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home or work, and washing hands to protect themselves and others against respiratory diseases.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00503.asp 

(Santa Ana, CA) – To address the recent increase in reported respiratory virus activity in Orange County (OC), the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Public Health Services recommends residents get vaccinated and be vigilant about preventive measures to reduce the spread of winter viruses.
 
Reported cases of COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and influenza disease are all rising, based on the percentage of positive test results reported to the HCA over the past six weeks. According to the HCA’s Communicable Disease Control Division, these patterns are in line with the regular seasonal epidemiology of these viruses.

Vaccines are available for the prevention of disease caused by all three of these viruses, and are especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness. This season’s influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for those 6-months of age and older, while RSV vaccine or preventive antibody is recommended for select populations including infants and young children, pregnant people, and adults 60 years and older (visit www.ochealthinfo.com/flu and www.ochealthinfo.com/rsv). People should talk their health care provider, or local pharmacy, about getting vaccinated. For those who do not have a provider, are uninsured, or underinsured, call the HCA’s Health Referral Line (800) 564-8448 [TDD: (800) 801-7100] about accessing services.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza and RSV and practicing preventive measures can help minimize the spread and severity of these viruses and help reduce the burden on our local hospitals,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and the HCA’s Chief Medical Officer. “All three vaccines may be administered during the same visit for those eligible for all and getting vaccinated now can still provide protection against severe illness throughout the winter respiratory virus season.”

 
To help mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses during the winter surge, the HCA encourages residents to follow preventive measures, including:

• Stay home when you are sick and symptomatic.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve (elbow).
• Mask when in large group settings.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the restroom.

Additionally, as families and communities gather to celebrate the holidays, the HCA encourages residents to review the following information should you experience COVID-19 symptoms or are exposed:

• Testing before gatherings will help mitigate the spread. Free test kits can be ordered by visiting COVID Home Tests | USPS, or for additional options, visit No-Cost COVID-19 Testing​ (cdc.gov).
• Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if confirmed positive, as treatment must begin within 5-7 days of when symptoms start. Effective treatments are now widely available for COVID-19.  Treatments such as the Paxlovid pill are safe and effective for preventing COVID-19 illness from becoming serious and may lower the risk of long COVID. Visit COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator English (arcgis.com) for helping finding treatment options.
• Follow Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations issued by the California Department of Public Health if you test positive or are exposed to a close contact who has tested positive. See guidance.

Visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covid for current information on Orange County COVID-19 testing positivity and hospitalization levels.
 
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.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers and the public about an outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) among people in the United States with recent travel to or residence in the city of Tecate, state of Baja California, Mexico. RMSF is a severe, rapidly progressive, and often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, although many patients do not recall being bitten by a tick. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for patients of all ages. As of December 8, 2023, five patients have been diagnosed with confirmed RMSF since late July 2023; all had travel to or residence in Tecate within 2 weeks of illness onset. RMSF is endemic in multiple border states in northern Mexico, including but not exclusive to Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. Healthcare providers should consider RMSF in their differential diagnosis of patients who have reported recent travel to Tecate, Mexico, or other areas of northern Mexico and subsequently develop signs or symptoms of an unexplained severe febrile illness. Consider initiating doxycycline based on presumptive clinical and epidemiologic findings, and do not delay treatment pending the result of a confirmatory laboratory test. Early treatment with doxycycline saves lives.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00502.asp

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and health departments about the occurrence, geographic spread, and sexually associated human-to-human transmission of Clade I Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). MPXV has two distinct genetic clades (subtypes), and cases of Clade I MPXV have not been reported in the United States at this time (a clade is a broad grouping of viruses that has evolved over decades and is a genetic and clinically distinct group). However, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of Clade I MPXV in travelers who have been in DRC. Clinicians should notify their state health department if they have a patient with mpox-like symptoms, which may include a diffuse rash and lymphadenopathy, and recent travel to DRC. Clinicians should also submit lesion specimens for clade-specific testing for these patients.

Please see the full CDC HAN Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00501.asp 
 

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Environmental Health Division has closed the open coastal area from Laguna Avenue to Blue Lagoon in Laguna Beach due to a sewage spill. The spill volume is an estimated total of 94,500 gallons, and was caused by a break in a force main sewer line in Laguna Beach. The affected bay water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports 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 www.OCBeachInfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419. 

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For the last several weeks there has been increasing respiratory virus activity in Orange County. Rates of COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Influenza disease are all rising based on the percentage of positive test results reported to OCHCA. RSV activity has been increasing for the last 6 weeks, but more recently increases in influenza and COVID-19 activity have been detected. These patterns are in line with the regular seasonal epidemiology of these viruses. More info...

**UPDATED information can be found at www.Tustinca.org**

(Santa Ana, CA) – Smoke and ash from the recent fire at a hangar located at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin may pose a health risk to some Orange County (OC) residents in the immediate and adjacent vicinity. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a Smoke Advisory for the Tustin area indicating that air quality will be variable through Wednesday as wind conditions change.

“Everyone should be aware of the recommended precautions to reduce the health effects of smoke and ash from building fires,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency’s Director of Public Health Services. “Extra measures may be needed for those with pre-existing medical conditions like heart or lung disease, those with disabilities, older adults, children, and those who may be working outdoors.”

As the Tustin fire situation has evolved since this initial press release was issued, updated health recommendations and precautions can be found on the Tustin website as the lead agency for this incident. Visit www.Tustinca.org.

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(Santa Ana, CA) –  (October 26, 2023) The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) invites the community to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at convenient locations throughout Orange County (OC).
 
"This event provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to declutter their medicine cabinets while actively safeguarding the health and well-being of their loved ones," Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services, stated. "Pharmaceutical drugs, when misused, can be as hazardous as street drugs, contributing to the nationwide opioid crisis that affects our community. Participation in events like National Take Back Day truly makes a significant impact."
 
This initiative addresses a crucial public safety and health concern. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aligns with the HCA’s commitment to the well-being of the OC community, promoting the responsible disposal of medications to prevent misuse and combat opioid addiction.
 
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day serves as a vital reminder of our collective responsibility in keeping our communities safe. To find a convenient Take Back drop-off location, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1 (800) 882-9539. The drop-off service is both free and anonymous.
 
For further information on medication misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to discover year-round safe disposal options, please visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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