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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(Santa Ana, CA) — A bat found east of parking lot W in Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869 on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at approximately 2:00 pm has tested positive for rabies.

Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or (714) 834-7792 after hours 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 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 website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

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(Santa Ana, CA) — The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has identified seven cases of Salmonella illness in Orange County (OC) residents following consumption of unpasteurized or “raw” milk from Raw Farm LLC, which recently issued a recall of its raw whole milk and raw heavy creams products.
 
The HCA urges those who may have purchased raw whole milk or raw heavy cream products from Raw Farm LLC to not consume the products and discard them immediately. Anyone who becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk, particularly products from Raw Farm LLC, should seek medical care immediately.
 
All confirmed cases had illness onset within the past 30 days, with affected individuals ranging in age from one to 20 years old. The HCA continues to investigate the situation in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The HCA is also reaching out to stores in the county who may be selling these products to assure that they are aware of the recall.
 
Raw milk has not gone through the pasteurization process that heats milk to a high temperature for a short period of time to kill harmful germ contaminants such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. Coli. Pasteurization is the only effective method for eliminating most harmful germs in raw milk or milk products and does not significantly change the nutritional value. Guidance from both the CDC and FDA indicates that consumption of any type of unpasteurized milk or milk product may be harmful to your health.
 
Most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms six hours to six days after exposure. Diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps may be severe or mild; some people may not have any symptoms. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most individuals recover completely without treatment. However, people can get develop severe illness requiring hospitalization.
 
County of San Diego health officials issued an advisory last week due to Salmonella infections in residents there after consumption of products from the same milk producer.
 
More information on raw milk safety is available here.

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(Santa Ana, CA) –  (October 25, 2023) The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is partnering with the City of Costa Mesa to enhance services for individuals experiencing homelessness and serious behavioral health conditions. This joint initiative, through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, is funded through a $4 million grant from the County of Orange (County).
 
"The partnership between the County of Orange and the City of Costa Mesa reflects our unwavering dedication to the welfare of our community," said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. "The BHBH Program is a crucial step forward in addressing the homelessness crisis and supporting those with behavioral health challenges.”
 
The primary objective of the BHBH Program is to provide immediate and sustainable solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness who face significant behavioral health barriers to accessing assistance. A total of 15 new beds will be established through this grant. The program allocates funds for operational and supportive services and for facilitating the expansion of bridge housing initiatives.
                                                             
"For too long, cities invested local dollars to boost up the County's system of care; but it's a new day in Orange County. The BHBH Program serves as a testament to the County's commitment to combat the homelessness, behavioral health, and substance use crises head on," said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District. "This new housing for our most vulnerable residents fills a gap in the current system of care, expands the Costa Mesa shelter, and creatively leverages funding to expand supportive services.”
 
The BHBH Program is part of the larger initiative led by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which will provide a total of $1.5 billion in funding. For more information about the program and a list of grant recipients, the public can visit here.
 
“For years, Costa Mesa has led the way in addressing homelessness through outreach and housing, being one of the first to build a homeless shelter,” said City of Costa Mesa Mayor, John Stephens. “The County’s BHBH Program will fill a gap in our service by providing on site mental health and addiction treatment. We thank the County, and Supervisor Katrina Foley specifically, for partnering with Costa Mesa to assist those in the greatest need.” 
 
The collaboration between the County and the City of Costa Mesa underscores the benefit of partnerships in addressing complex societal issues. This joint effort will leverage resources and expertise from both sides to forge the new project.
 
"This partnership enhances our ability to support the well-being of our community,” said HCA’s Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services, Dr. Veronica Kelley. “The program will offer a lifeline to those experiencing homelessness and struggling with serious behavioral health conditions."

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide options for clinicians to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the context of a limited supply of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization product recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00499.asp

(Santa Ana, CA) — Information provided by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) indicates that several chemicals have been detected in subsurface and indoor air samples at 60 E. Orangethorpe Avenue in the City of Anaheim. Sampling of soil and sub-slab gas conducted in November 2022 and February 2023 by the responsible party and recently reported to the DTSC indicates several of the chemicals detected are considered human carcinogens and/or cause other toxic effects to humans.
 
One of the chemicals found, Trichloroethylene (TCE), is used primarily as a degreasing agent in various industrial processes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 (USEPA) has identified cancer and non-cancer hazards based on exposure to TCE in indoor air. A specific vulnerable population is women in the first trimester of pregnancy, due to the potential for causing heart defects in the developing fetus. Long-term exposure may lead to increased risk of kidney or other cancers. The detected indoor air levels of TCE within the building located at this address exceed the USEPA urgent response category.
 
Another chemical found, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), is used primarily as a dry cleaning and degreasing solvent. The USEPA has identified cancer and non-cancer hazards based on exposure to PCE. The detected indoor air levels of PCE within the building located at this address exceed USEPA’s long and short-term exposure screening levels.
 
Measures to reduce the risk of breathing in TCE and PCE could include increased ventilation, sealing openings in the floor, treating the indoor air or temporary relocation. The levels detected at the business may pose a risk to some individuals on this an adjacent properties; however, are not likely to pose a risk to the surrounding neighborhoods or the public in general.
 
The OC Health Care Agency is responsible for providing this information to the local news media pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 25180.7(d). The intent of Proposition 65 - Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 is to protect the public and its drinking water resource, and to inform the public about potential exposures to chemical.
 
A fact sheet that includes frequently asked health questions about Trichloroethylene and Tetrachloroethylene from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts19.pdf and https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts18.pdf, respectively.
 
More information about this site and the related toxicological/health risk assessment can be obtained from Greg Shaffer, DTSC Statewide Brownfield Coordinator at (714) 484-5491 or gregory.shaffer@dtsc.ca.gov

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