New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Orange County Health Care Agency

Free hands only CPR training in Santa Ana set for June 2

“Hands Only” CPR Trainings Conducted Across Orange County

Orange County residents will learn basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills at more than 10 sites across the County during “Sidewalk CPR” trainings coordinated by Orange County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Emergency health agencies including Fire Departments, Ambulance Companies, Hospitals and educational programs will participate.

The trainings will teach the general public how to save a life utilizing “Hands-Only” CPR (different from conventional “Mouth-to-Mouth” CPR), which anyone can learn. Most bystanders are worried that they might do something wrong or make things worse. On the other hand, effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. Continue reading→

Rabid bat found in Huntington Beach

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Huntington Beach, Nature, Orange County Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2015

Contact: Nicole Stanfield, nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Bat Found in Huntington Beach Tests Positive for Rabies

(Santa Ana) – A live, rabid bat was found on the ground in the Big Lots shopping center parking lot located at the corner of Warner and Golden West in Huntington Beach on Sunday, February 15, 2015. Anyone who had recent contact with a bat in the vicinity is asked to call Orange County Health Care Agency Epidemiology at (714) 834-8180 from 8am to 5pm or (714) 834-7792 after hours so a nurse can evaluate the risk for rabies. Continue reading→

Bat found at Fullerton College tests positive for rabies

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Fullerton, Health and Medical, Orange County Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2015

Contact: Tricia Landquist, tlandquist@ochca.com / 714-834-2178

Bat Found at Fullerton College Tests Positive for Rabies

(Santa Ana) – A live, rabid bat was found on an outside step on the east side of the “1100 Building” at Fullerton College on January 29, 2015. Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call Orange County Health Care Agency Epidemiology at (714) 834-8180 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or (714) 834-7792 after hours to determine the risk for rabies.

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. Continue reading→

Cholula’s Bakery has reopened

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Food, Health and Medical, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Cholula’s Bakery was expected to open Wednesday, after enduring a debacle over holiday sweet bread laced with a synthetic drug that sickened more than 40 people and that shut its doors for nearly two weeks, according to the O.C. Register.

What this means is that the Orange County Health Department has cleared Cholula’s – and they are now in compliance with all of the O.C. Health Codes. Continue reading→

Orange County reports first influenza related death

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2015

Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Orange County Reports First Influenza Related Death

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed our county’s first influenza related death in a person under 65 this year. The Public Health laboratory confirmed that the 48 year-old woman, who had preexisting health conditions, was infected with the influenza A virus.

“This is a sad and somber reminder of the serious threat posed by influenza,” County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler said. “It is important for everyone to continue practicing good respiratory and hand hygiene to limit the transmission of influenza germs from person to person, and to get vaccinated.” Continue reading→

Potential public exposure to measles in Orange

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2014

Contact: nstanfield@ochca.com or (714) 834-2178

Potential Public Exposure to Measles

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed three cases of measles in Orange County in the last week, in conjunction with the outbreak recently reported affecting multiple counties in California and Utah. These cases raise the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles since the patients visited public locations while infectious.

The Health Care Agency has been working with the facilities listed below to contact people who may have been exposed to these cases and who are at increased risk of severe illness. The risk of developing infection after brief encounters with persons with measles is low, but as a precaution, people who were in the below locations around the same time as the individuals with measles should: Continue reading→

Public update on Orange County ebola preparedness

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2014

Contact: Deanne Thompson, Orange County Health Care Agency, (714) 834 7649, dthompson@ochca.com

Public Update on Ebola Preparedness

(Santa Ana, CA) — Emergency planning is well underway in Orange County in response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The risk of contracting Ebola in the United States and in Orange County is very low; there are currently no cases of Ebola in California and no suspect cases. County officials are reviewing communicable disease response plans and conducting drills to exercise those plans.

County officials have developed extensive preparedness procedures in coordination with other local, state and national partners, including the Orange County Health Care Agency, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and its Emergency Management Division, John Wayne Airport,the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Los Angeles County Public Health Lab, which is a CDC-designated site with the capability to test for Ebola. Continue reading→

Orange County confirms three cases of Enterovirus D68

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Santa Ana 2 Comments

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2014

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Orange County Confirms Three Cases of Enterovirus D68

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that three patients in Orange County have tested positive for enterovirus D68. The three patients, all of them children, are unrelated and are not linked with any community outbreak of the illness.

There has been an increase in enterovirus D68 reported across the country over the last few months, resulting in enhanced surveillance locally. “Due to the heightened awareness and surveillance for enterovirus D68, it is not surprising to identify cases in Orange County’” said Dr. Eric Handler, Public Health Officer. Individual cases of enterovirus D68 have also been reported in communities throughout the state, including several counties in Southern California, but outbreaks of respiratory illness have not been reported in California. Continue reading→

Man arrested when explosive substances found during investigation

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Suspect Arrested for Possession of Substances Identified as Precursors to Homemade Explosives

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – (September 2, 2014) – On Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at approximately 12:45 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic violence incident at a residence in the 100 block of Fairlane Drive, Laguna Niguel. During the course of the domestic violence investigation, deputies observed numerous weapons, military ordinances and potentially explosive substances. The Sheriff’s Department’s Hazardous Device Squad (HDS) responded to evaluate and collect the items. Continue reading→

Orange County reports West Nile Virus related fatality

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County Leave a comment

West Nile Virus

Orange County Health Care Agency

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2014

Contact: Deanne Thompson dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Orange County Reports West Nile Virus Related Fatality

West Nile Virus Activity throughout the County is Increasing

(Santa Ana) – A Seal Beach resident in her 80s with underlying medical conditions died last week with complications of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. Test results received this week confirmed WNV infection; of which she had the more severe form, West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease. Orange County currently leads the state in number of WNV infections this year with 40 to date, compared to fewer than 5 infections around this time in the previous four years.

“This unfortunate death shows how serious West Nile Virus infection can be,” said Dr. Eric G. Handler, County Health Officer. “West Nile Virus activity tends to peak in August and September in Orange County, but we continue to have cases occur throughout the fall. It is important for people to remember that the end of summer does not mean the end of West Nile Virus season.” Continue reading→

New report identified risk factors for death by suicide in Orange County

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

OC Health Care Agency Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2014
Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES RISK FACTORS FOR DEATH BY SUICIDE IN ORANGE COUNTY

(Santa Ana) – Every year in Orange County about 3,000 people intentionally harm themselves, and about 278 end their lives by suicide. A new study by the Orange County Health Care Agency examines the incidence of suicide in Orange County, and identifies risk factors for suicidal behavior.

“Intentional self-harm is a serious public health problem that has a devastating impact on those affected, including family, friends, and the community,” said Mary Hale, Deputy Agency Director for Behavioral Services at the Orange County Health Care Agency. “Understanding how to address these risk factors and implementing preventive measures will help reduce intentional self-harm and suicide deaths in Orange County.” Continue reading→

First human West Nile Virus case of 2014 reported in Santa Ana

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY REPORTS FIRST HUMAN WEST NILE VIRUS CASE OF 2014

(Santa Ana) – A Santa Ana man has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the County’s first human WNV infection in 2014. This is the 10th human case of WNV reported in California. The man was admitted to the hospital in late June with symptoms of West Nile Virus, and is now at home recovering.

In 2013, there were 12 reported human infections of West Nile Virus and zero WNV related deaths reported in Orange County.

“West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall,” said Dr. Eric G. Handler, County Health Officer. “The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites.”

Recommended WNV precautions include: Continue reading→

OC Health Care Agency launches campaign to combat deaths due to chronic diseases

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Santa Ana Leave a comment

HCA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT PREVENTABLE DEATHS AND CHRONIC DISEASE

(Santa Ana) – In Orange County, six out of ten preventable deaths are due to chronic disease, which can be linked to three behaviors: poor nutrition, physical inactivity and smoking. The Health Care Agency has launched a campaign encouraging people to make three small changes in their daily lives that can have significant impacts on health and quality of life – eat fresh, play some way, and breathe smoke-free, every day. Continue reading→

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County Health Care Agency
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2014
Contact: Nicole Stanfield, nstanfield@ochca.com, (714) 834-2178

‘Take the Test, Take Control’
National HIV Testing Day

(Santa Ana) – June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. There are 6,215 individuals living with HIV disease in Orange County with over 250 people being diagnosed with HIV each year. There are an additional estimated 1,364 people living in Orange County who have HIV and don’t know it – many of whom will develop AIDS before realizing they are HIV infected.

Of the 131 AIDS cases diagnosed in 2013, 42.0% (55) were concurrently diagnosed with HIV, indicating that the individual was living with HIV for a long time before the diagnosis. On average, individuals who are concurrently diagnosed are estimated to have been living with HIV for more than 10 years. Many of these people had been to a medical setting like an emergency room, a community health center, or their doctor, but were not tested for HIV. Continue reading→

Mercury poisoning linked to use of certain Mexican face creams

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, mexico, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

Mercury Poisoning Linked to Use of Face Cream

The Orange County Health Care Agency warns against the use of face creams that appear to be homemade or imported from Mexico due to potentially high levels of mercury. One case of mercury poisoning associated with use of these products has recently been identified in Orange County, and several others are under investigation.

The face cream claims to lighten skin, fade freckles and age spots, and treat wrinkles and acne. Air samples taken from the cream had more than 50,000 times the safe limit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow mercury in drugs or cosmetics, expect under very specific conditions which these products do not meet. Continue reading→