Orange County Health Care Agency, Press Release
HIGH TEMPERATURES BRING RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES
(Santa Ana) – Temperatures in many inland Orange County communities are expected to reach high temperatures above 95 degrees this week and into the weekend, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat. Continue reading
Flu Activity on the Rise
It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate
(Santa Ana) – With a recent increase in flu cases nationwide, the Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. It is not too late to vaccinate. Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, and is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over 50, and for those with chronic medical conditions.
Flu vaccine is widely available from medical providers throughout Orange County. Information about these locations and dates is available at http://findaflushot.com. Free flu shots are also available for eligible individuals through the Health Care Agency’s Family Health Clinic located at 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana on the below days. For information about the County’s flu shot program call the HCA Health Referral Line at 800-564-8448 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com. Continue reading
For Immediate Release
Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, HCA Health Policy & Communication, 714-834-2178
Home Heating Safety Emphasized During Cold Weather
(Santa Ana) – Overnight temperatures in some areas of Orange County will dip below 40° this week, so Public Health officials are urging area residents to use caution when heating their home.
“While Southern California enjoys moderate winters when compared to other areas of the United States, the temperatures in our area this week will be colder than average,” said Dr. Eric G. Hander, County Health Officer. “Almost every winter, there are cases in California of people who are overcome by carbon monoxide gas after bringing a charcoal grill indoors or using other faulty heaters to provide heat. Never use a charcoal grill or other fuel-burning device such as a camping stove or other device fueled by propane, wood pellets, kerosene or liquid gas to heat the inside of your home.” Continue reading
For Immediate Release: December 31, 2012
Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, HCA Health Policy & Communication, 714-834-2178
Orange County Reports Season’s First Influenza Death
(Santa Ana) – A 51 year old man from Fountain Valley died last week from influenza B-related disease. This is the first influenza-related death reported for this season in Orange County. Continue reading
For Immediate Release: September 28, 2012
Contact: Nicole Stanfield, (714) 834-2178
HIGH TEMPERATURES BRING RISK OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESS
(Santa Ana) – The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures above 105°F in many Orange County cities, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to the heat. Continue reading
For Immediate Release: September 7, 2012
Contact: Deanne Thompson, 714-834-2178, dthompson@ochca.com
WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY INCREASING IN ORANGE COUNTY
(Santa Ana) – West Nile Virus (WNV) activity is increasing in Orange County, with a total of six human WNV infections reported through September 6. Included in the total are 3 probable cases and 3 confirmed cases, including 2 positive blood donors who did not develop symptoms. Most of these cases experienced an onset of symptoms in mid- to late August, indicating a recent increase in activity. Continue reading
“Sometime in April, nine customers at an Orange County restaurant got sick after eating lettuce laced with Escherichia coli, the deadly, dreaded bacterium better known as E. coli. The lettuce came from Amazing Coachella Inc. of Coachella, and their poisoned product also struck eaters in Canada, where the outbreak was a national story. The OC restaurant was the only other culprit; it closed for a couple of days, then opened, and that was that,” according to the OC Weekly.
Here’s the kicker – the Orange County Health Care Agency, which inspects restaurants and oversees food safety in Orange County, never “never revealed it to the public when the outbreak occurred, and it doesn’t want you to know about it—now or ever.” Continue reading
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2012
Contact: Deanne Thompson, 714-834-2178, dthompson@ochca.com
TIME CHANGE IS A REMINDER TO PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
(Santa Ana) – When it’s time to change the clocks for daylight saving time this weekend, use it as a reminder to check your preparedness kit to make sure that your emergency stockpile is complete and the supplies have not expired. The American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign reminds people to refresh their emergency supplies before a disaster occurs. An easy way to remember to do this is to check emergency preparedness supplies and batteries in smoke detectors twice a year when you set your clocks.
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