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| Post Date |
Health Alerts/Bulletins Index
Bulletin
and Alert Archive
|
April 25, 2013
Press
Release |
New Syringe Service Program to
Begin on April 30, 2013
The Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County will be
overseeing a new syringe service program (SSP) beginning April
30th.
Click here to read
press release from County
Health Officer
|
April 22, 2013
Public
Health
Update |
Novel Avian Influenza A (H7N9)
On April 1st, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported
three human infections with a novel avian influenza A (H7N9)
virus in China. As
of April 22nd, 2013, there are 104 laboratory confirmed cases
and 21 deaths. At
this time, no human cases of H7N9 have been detected in the U.S.
No person-to-person transmission or epidemiologic link
between cases has been identified thus far.
Preliminary data suggests that cases are susceptible to
neurominidase inhibitors.
Click here to
View Public Health Advisory
|
April 19, 2013
Press
Release |
National
Infant Immunization Week April 20-27, 2013
National
Infant Immunization Week April 20-27, 2013
|
Mar. 29, 2013
Press
Release |
Official End of Influenza Season March 31,
2013
Based on local influenza activity reports, the official end to
the influenza season is March 31, 2013
Click here to read
press release from County
Health Officer
|
Mar. 21, 2013
Press
Release |
World TB Day March 24th
March 24 is World
TB Day, which commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch
announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB), a leading cause of
death from infectious disease worldwide. World TB Day provides
an opportunity to raise awareness about TB-related problems and
solutions. The U.S. slogan for the 2012 observance is Stop TB
in My Lifetime.
Click here to read
press release
|
Feb. 1, 2013
Public
Health
Alert |
Report of Measles in San Lorenzo Valley
The Communicable Disease Unit (CD) of the Public Health
Department has been investigating a confirmed case of imported
measles and an epidemiologically linked case in two San Lorenzo
Valley residents.
|
Jan. 22, 2013
Public
Health
Advisory |
Isoniazid (INH) Shortage Situation
There is currently a nationwide
shortage of isoniazid (INH). INH is one of the most important
drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent TB infection
(LTBI). The low inventory is caused by a shortage of the active
ingredient used in the manufacture of INH and shipping delays.
Increased access to INH is anticipated by the end of January per
FDA and supplier sources, but, there is uncertainty about
whether further delays in INH manufacture will occur and whether
the supply over the next several months will meet the quantity
needed to treat the patients diagnosed with TB disease and
infection.
View
Public Health Advisory
|
Jan. 18, 2013
Public
Health
Update |
Seasonal
Influenza Update
The Public Health Department has received
information from local physicians that influenza cases are on
the rise in Santa Cruz County. California influenza activity has
been upgraded to "widespread" which means that outbreaks of
influenza or increases in influenza-like-illness (ILI) cases and
recent laboratory-confirmed influenza are present in at least
half the regions of the state. Influenza is much more serious
than the common cold and has the potential of causing serious
illness or death.
Public
Health Advisory for Public Health Actions and Recommendations
Health Care Provider Advisory and Recommendations
|
| October
9, 2012 |
2012 Seasonal Flu
Vaccine Schedule
 |
For the
current 2012-2013
flu season, the seasonal flu vaccine once again includes
protection against H1N1 flu.
- Flu vaccines
are recommended once a year.
- Children
(6-months to 8-years of age) who did
not receive a flu vaccine last year or have never had
a flu vaccine
may need two doses.
- Talk with your
doctor about protecting yourself and others against the flu.
- Call the flu
information line at (831) 454-4343 for up-to-date
information regarding flu within Santa Cruz County
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|
Days/Times
|
Cost
|
Locations
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|
Monday - Friday
Between
1:30pm and 4pm
(excluding holidays and days that
the clinics will be
closed
for county furlough on the 4th Friday of each month)
No
appointment necessary, subject to availability and space.
|
Cost:
$25*
* No cost
for people with Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families or Healthy Kids.
|
Santa
Cruz Health Center
1080 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA (831) 454-4100
|
|
Watsonville County Health Clinic
9 Crestview Drive, Watsonville
(831) 763-8400
|
Vaccine
Availability:
Thimerosal-free
vaccine is currently available for pregnant women and children 6
to 36 months of age.
It
is now recommended that everyone six months or older get vaccinated
against the flu each year. This is especially important for the
following groups:
-
Children aged 6
months to 18 years of age,
-
Pregnant women,
-
People 50 years of
age and older,
-
People of any age
with certain chronic medical conditions,
-
People who live in
nursing homes and other long term care facilities,
-
People who live
with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu,
including:
-
Household contacts
of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see
above),
-
Household contacts
and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
(these children are too young to be vaccinated),
-
Healthcare workers.
The
following sources may also have the flu shot available:
If
you have questions about flu vaccine, call 454-4343 (at
the end of the message, during business hours, you will be able to
speak to a public health nurse).
Click
here for more information about the Flu
|
Sept. 4, 2012
Public
Health
Update |
Reporting a Dead Bird
|
Aug. 31, 2012
Public
Health
Update |
Masking of Health Care Workers During
Influenza Season
Masking of Health Care Workers During Influenza Season
|
Nov.
16, 2011
Press
Release |
Poisonous
Wild Mushroom Warning
-
Santa
Cruz County received the second report this year of a
hospitalized person who became seriously ill after eating
mushrooms collected in the La Selva Beach area.
- Both
illnesses were probably due to the mushroom Amanita
phalloides.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Wild
mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been determined
edible by a recognized mushroom expert.
- Individuals
who develop any of these symptoms--abdominal pain, cramping,
vomiting, and/or diarrhea after eating wild mushrooms should
immediately contact the California Poison Control System at
1-800-8-POISON (1-800-876-4766) or 1-800-222-1222 and seek
immediate medical attention.
INFORMATION
- In
past years, multiple hospitalizations, gastrointestinal
illnesses and even deaths, have been caused by the
consumption of wild mushrooms.
- The
deaths have been linked to the Amanita ocreata mushroom,
also known as the “destroying angel” and the Amanita
phalloides mushroom, commonly called the “death cap”
mushroom. · Poisonous mushrooms are found throughout Santa
Cruz County. The most common are:
- Amanita
phalloides
- Amanita
ocreata
- Galerina
autumalis (deadly)
- Eating
poisonous mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, cramping,
vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage resulting in the need for
liver transplant, and death-- the symptoms usually occur 6
to 12 hours after ingestion. After gastrointestinal symptoms
subside, liver damage may appear.
Mushroom
resources recommended by the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz
County are: http://www.fungusfed.org,
www.namyco.org
and www.mykoweb.com.
|
Sept.
20, 2011
Press
Release |
Emergency
Survival Guide
In recognition of September's designation as National Preparedness Month, the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Health has just completed a comprehensive guide to emergency preparedness intended to help the residents of Santa Cruz County prepare for, respond to, and recover from the disasters that affect our region.
|
May
9, 2011
Public
Health
Update |
Student
Immunization Reminder:
Beginning July 1, 2011, all students entering grades 7-12
within Santa Cruz County must provide proof of having immunization against whooping cough (‘Tdap’) before starting school. In light of California’s recent whooping cough (also known as pertussis) epidemic, there is no reason to wait for the new school year. Health professionals encourage parents to have their children vaccinated with the whooping cough booster shot,
Tdap, now in order to protect them against whooping cough and to meet the 2011-12 school requirements.
Press
Release: New Rule Before School! Vaccines Now Required for 7th-12th Grade Students
|
Public
Health
Warning |
Early
Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels
|
|
Coming
a month earlier than in normal years, the annual
quarantine of all mussel species publicly harvested along
the California coast takes effect March 29, 2011.
The quarantine is beginning earlier this year because
testing by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
detected elevated levels of domoic acid and paralytic
shellfish poisoning.
The
mussel quarantine runs through October 31, 2011. It
applies to sport-harvested mussels along the coast,
including all bays, harbors and estuaries. Commercially harvested shellfish are
not included in the
annual quarantine. These products are certified by the state and subject to
strict requirements to ensure that all oysters, clams and
mussels entering the marketplace are free of toxins.
|
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
|
Feb.
15, 2011
Public
Health
Advisory |
Immunizations
for Students entering Grades 7-12
Beginning July 1, 2011, all students entering grades 7-12
within Santa Cruz County must provide proof of having immunization against whooping cough (‘Tdap’) before starting school. In light of California’s recent whooping cough (also known as pertussis) epidemic, there is no reason to wait for the new school year. Health professionals encourage parents to have their children vaccinated with the whooping cough booster shot, Tdap, now in order to protect them against whooping cough and to meet the 2011-12 school requirements.
Press
Release: New Rule Before School! Vaccines Now Required for 7th-12th Grade Students
|
| June
24, 2010 |
Pertussis
(Whooping Cough) State Epidemic
California
is experiencing an epidemic of pertussis with a 4-fold increase
from the number of reported cases during the same time period in
2009. As of 6/15/10, there have been 910 cases of
pertussis reported in 2010. There are an additional 600
suspect cases currently being investigated by local health
jurisdictions for a total of over 1500 cases. From January
to May 2010, there have been 5 infant deaths due to pertussis.
Santa Cruz County currently has 20 cases.
Posted
6/24/10:
Pertussis
Public Health Alert
Pertussis
Information:
|
|
Public
Health
Warnings
|
Food/Product
Recalls
Recalls,
Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts - A comprehensive,
up-to-date list of all food and product recalls from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.
Posted
8/10/10:
Recall
of Ground Beef Products From Valley Meat Company
Previous
Food/Product Recalls
|
| April
3, 2010 |
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
 People
working or playing outdoors in the winter/spring months should be on
the alert for ticks that may carry bacteria that cause Lyme
disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Western
black-legged ticks were observed this month in Humboldt, Marin,
Mendocino, Sonoma and Trinity counties, somewhat earlier than what has been
documented for the past 10 years.
Ticks
can be found in tall grass and brush in urban, suburban and
rural settings. Adult ticks climb to the tips of
vegetation, often alongside trails or paths, and wait for a host
to brush against them. They attach to animals and humans
and feed by sticking their mouthparts into the skin and sucking
blood for up to several days. Lyme and other tick-borne
diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis,
ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, are transmitted while the tick is
attached and feeding.
When hiking outdoors:
-
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Tuck pant legs into boots or socks and tuck shirts into pants.
-
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen.
-
Inspect yourself frequently for ticks while in tick habitats.
Once out of tick habitat, thoroughly check your entire body for ticks.
Parents should examine their children, especially on the scalp, hairline and skin folds.
-
Apply a
repellent, such as DEET, registered for use against
ticks. Always follow directions on the container and
be extra careful when applying to children. Permethrin
spray may be used on clothing to kill ticks before entering
tick habitat.
-
Stay in the middle of the trail.
Avoid trail margins, brush and grassy areas.
Individuals
should consult their physician immediately if symptoms similar
to those described for Lyme disease develop within one to
several weeks after being bitten by a tick.
Additional
information on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases |
| March
11, 2009 |
Proper
Disposal of Household Medications and Sharps The County of Santa Cruz
is pleased to offer residents a safe, free and environmentally
responsible way to get rid of household medications and
sharps.
Click
here for detailed information about Sharp Solutions |
| |
Bulletin
and Alert Archive |
|
Many of the documents on this web page are in PDF format and require the Adobe Reader Acrobat program to view them. Click the Acrobat Reader button to the left to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program. |
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