(Santa Ana, CA) — The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15, has been designated National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). This year NLAAD celebrates 21 years of raising awareness in the Latinx community about the importance of promoting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, prevention, and treatment, and stopping HIV stigma.

This year’s campaign theme “Start Treatment. Stick to It. Get Better.” is directed at the entire community but focused on people who live with HIV. The campaign urges those impacted to choose one of the many treatment options to maintain health, reach undetectable viral load, and to not pass the virus to others (treatment as prevention). NLAAD is focused on raising awareness about:

• Getting tested and knowing your HIV status;
• Using condoms for protection from HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs);
• Knowing prevention options if HIV-negative, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may help protect you from getting HIV; and
• Learning about new treatment options to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable viral load, if HIV-positive.

NLAAD is important in Orange County (OC) because there are 7,044 persons living with HIV locally as of the end of 2023 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there are an additional 1,137 OC residents living with HIV who do not know it.
 
“You need to know your HIV status so you can make important decisions about your health,” said Dr. Christopher Ried, Medical Director, OC Health Care Agency’s Clinical Services Division. “If you’re negative, taking HIV PrEP protects you from being diagnosed with HIV. If you are living with HIV, getting on HIV medication supports you living a long, healthy life and greatly reduces any chance for transmitting HIV to others. Staying in care and having your blood monitored on a regular basis ensures suppression of the virus so that you stay undetectable, stay healthy and remain untransmittable.”
 
While the Latinx population represents about 34% of the total population in OC, this population represented just over half (or 51%) of those newly diagnosed with HIV in 2023. Many had been to an emergency room, a community health center, or their doctor but were not tested for HIV. According to the Latino Commission on AIDS (2021), 55% of Latinx had never been tested for HIV in their lifetime.1 Therefore, it is crucial that the Latinx community have routine HIV testing to know their status, even if they do not think they have HIV. Knowing their HIV status is important to help prevent new HIV infections.
 
Ending the HIV epidemic requires everyone to do their part. Every adolescent and adult should get an HIV test at least once as part of routine health care, and those at increased risk of HIV should be tested more frequently. If you have never been tested for HIV, ask your doctor for an HIV test. Free, confidential HIV testing is available at the agencies listed below:

• AltaMed: Call (714) 500-0491 or visit HIV Testing Services (altamed.org)
  • Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Testing information is also available on social media at https://www.instagram.com/growproud  
     
• APAIT Health Center: Call (714) 636-1349 or visit www.apaitonline.org/ for more information.
  • Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Walk-ins are welcome for Rapid HIV & Rapid HCV
  • Appointments are required for a full HIV and STD (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) testing panel. 
     
• Families Together Orange County: Call (800) 597-7977 or visit https://familiestogetheroc.org/. Testing is offered at three locations:
  • Tustin:
    • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (limited Saturday appointments)
  • Garden Grove:
    • Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
  • Fountain Valley:
    • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
       
• OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability. Clinic hours:
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     
• The LGBT Center Orange County: For an appointment or more information call (714) 953-5428 or visit www.lgbtcenteroc.org/. Testing is offered:
  • Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.    

For more testing sites and information about HIV services in OC, please call (714) 834-8335 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites. To list or find NLAAD events visit www.nlaad.org.  
1 National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day. Infographics: HIV Among Latinos. https://nlaad.org/

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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"Comience el tratamiento. Respételo. Mejore”.
Día Nacional de Concientización sobre el SIDA en latinos  

(Santa Ana, CA) – El último día del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, el 15 de octubre, ha sido designado Día Nacional de Concientización sobre el SIDA en latinos (NLAAD, por sus siglas en inglés). Este año, el NLAAD celebra 21 años de concientización en la comunidad latina sobre la importancia de promover la examinación, la prevención y el tratamiento del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y detener el estigma del VIH.
El tema de la campaña de este año es “Comience el tratamiento. Respételo. Mejore”. Está dirigido a toda la comunidad, pero enfocado en las personas que viven con el VIH. La campaña insta a los afectados a elegir una de las muchas opciones de tratamiento para mantenerse saludables, alcanzar una carga viral indetectable y no transmitir el virus a otros (tratamiento como prevención).
El NLAAD se centra en crear conciencia sobre:

• Hacerse la prueba y conocer su estado de VIH.
• Usar preservativos para la protección contra el VIH y otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS).
• Conocer las opciones de prevención si el VIH es negativo; la profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) puede ayudar a protegerlo de contraer el VIH.
• Aprender sobre nuevas opciones de tratamiento para obtener y permanecer viralmente suprimido, lo que significa tener una carga viral indetectable, si tiene VIH positivo. 

El NLAAD es importante en el Condado de Orange (OC, por sus siglas en inglés) porque hay 7.044 personas que viven con el VIH localmente según lo detectado a finales de 2023, y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés) estiman que hay 1.137 residentes adicionales viviendo con VIH que no lo saben.
 
“Necesita conocer su estado serológico para poder tomar decisiones importantes sobre su salud”, dijo el Dr. Christopher Ried, Director Médico de la División de Servicios Clínicos de la Agencia del Cuidado de la Salud del Condado de Orange. “Si usted dio negativo, recibir PrEP contra el VIH lo protege de ser diagnosticado con VIH. Si vive con el VIH, tomar medicamentos contra el VIH lo ayuda a vivir una vida larga y saludable y reduce, en gran medida, cualquier posibilidad de transmitir el VIH a otros. Recibir atención médica y realizarse análisis de sangre regularmente asegura la supresión del virus para que permanezca indetectable, se mantenga saludable y permanezca intransmisible”.
 
Mientras que la población latina representa alrededor del 34% de la población total en el Condado de Orange, esta población representó poco más de la mitad (o el 51%) de los recientemente diagnosticados con VIH en 2023. Muchos habían estado en una sala de emergencias, un centro de salud comunitario o con su médico, pero no se habían hecho la prueba del VIH. Según la Comisión Latina sobre el SIDA (2021), el 55% de los latinos nunca se había hecho la prueba del VIH en su vida.1 Por lo tanto, es crucial que la comunidad latina se someta a pruebas rutinarias del VIH para conocer su estado, incluso si piensa que no tiene VIH. Conocer su estado serológico es importante para ayudar a prevenir nuevas infecciones por el VIH.
 
Poner fin a la epidemia del VIH requiere que todos hagan su parte. Todos los adolescentes y adultos deben hacerse una prueba del VIH al menos una vez como parte de la atención médica de rutina, y las personas con mayor riesgo de contraer el VIH deben hacerse la prueba con más frecuencia. Si nunca le han hecho la prueba del VIH, pídale a su doctor que le haga una prueba del VIH. Las pruebas del VIH gratuitas y confidenciales y están disponibles en las agencias enumeradas a continuación:  

• AltaMed: Llame al (714) 500-0491 o visite Servicios de pruebas del VIH (altamed.org).
  • Las pruebas se ofrecen de lunes a viernes, de 8 A. M. a 5 P. M.
  • La información sobre la realización de las pruebas también está disponible en las redes sociales en https://www.instagram.com/growproud.
     
• APAIT Health Center: Llame al (714) 636-1349 o visite www.apaitonline.org/ para obtener más información.
  • Las pruebas se ofrecen de lunes a viernes, de 9 A. M. a 4 P. M.
  • Puede acercarse sin cita programada para realizarse la prueba rápida del VIH y la prueba rápida del virus de la hepatitis C.
  • Se requieren citas para un examen completo con pruebas de VIH y ETS (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, clamidia, gonorrea y sífilis).
• Families Together Orange County: Llame al (800) 597-7977 o visite https://familiestogetheroc.org/. Las pruebas se ofrecen en tres ubicaciones:
  • Tustin
    • Lunes a viernes de 9 A. M. a 4 P. M.
    • Sábados de 9 A. M. a 3 P. M. (citas limitadas de los sábados)
  • Garden Grove
    • Lunes a viernes de 8:30 A. M. a 4 P. M.
    • Sábados de 9 A. M. a 2 P. M.
  • Fountain Valley
    • Lunes a viernes de 9 A. M. a 4 P. M.
• Agencia del Cuidado de la Salud del Condado de Orange/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic (Clínica de pruebas, tratamiento y atención): Llame al (714) 834-8787 para programar una cita o visite http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std para obtener más información. Se aceptan visitas sin cita previa según la disponibilidad. Horario de la clínica:
  • Lunes, miércoles, jueves y viernes, de 8 A. M. a 4 P. M.
  • Martes 10 A. M. a 4 P. M.
• El Centro LGBT Condado de Orange: Para programar una cita u obtener más información, llame al (714) 953-5428 o visite www.lgbtcenteroc.org/. Se ofrecen pruebas:
  • Martes de 10 A. M. a 08:30 P. M.
  • Miércoles y jueves, de 6 P. M. a 9 P. M.
  • Viernes de 10 A. M. a 6 P. M.

Para obtener más sitios de pruebas e información sobre los servicios de VIH en el Condado de Orange, por favor, llame al (714) 834-8335 o visite www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites. Para ver la lista o encontrar los eventos del NLAAD, visite www.nlaad.org.
1 Día Nacional de Concientización sobre el SIDA en latinos. Infografía: VIH entre los latinos.
 
ACERCA DE LA AGENCIA DEL CUIDADO DE LA SALUD DEL CONDADO DE ORANGE
La Agencia de Cuidado de la Salud (HCA) del Condado de Orange es una jurisdicción regional interdisciplinaria de salud y un departamento de salud acreditado, encargado de proteger y promover la salud individual, familiar y comunitaria a través de la asociación y la coordinación de recursos del sector público y privado. Visite www.ochealthinfo.com para obtener más información sobre servicios y recursos.

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This alert aims to raise awareness of current guidance around the prevention and treatment of respiratory pathogens as we begin the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season. In addition, we wish to direct providers to local and national data sources for following disease activity for COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). More info...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and health departments about the Republic of Rwanda’s first confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) with 36 laboratory confirmed cases and 11 deaths reported as of October 2, 2024, including at least 19 cases in healthcare workers. This report summarizes CDC’s recommendations for public health departments and clinicians in the United States on case identification and testing and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations.

No confirmed cases of MVD related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States or other countries outside of the Republic of Rwanda to date. Currently, the risk of MVD in the United States is low; however, clinicians should be aware of the potential for imported cases.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00517.asp

(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has officially assumed management along with operations of the Be Well Orange Campus, located at 265 South Anita Drive, Orange, CA 92868. As of October 1, 2024, the County of Orange (County) began overseeing the delivery of vital mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services at the campus, ensuring continued support for the wellbeing of Orange County (OC) residents.
 
The Be Well Orange Campus provides essential services designed to address behavioral health crises and substance use disorders. With this transition, the County will uphold its commitment to providing high-quality care, maintaining existing programs, while seeking to enhance the services offered. The following services will continue to be offered:

• The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), operated by Exodus, offers emergency psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and crisis stabilization services for residents experiencing behavioral health crises. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, the CSU serves individuals 13 years and older, offering services such as psychiatric evaluation, individual and group therapy, family education, and peer mentorship. For access, residents can call (714) 410-3500.
• The Crisis Residential Program (CRP), also provided by Exodus, offers short-term, voluntary services for adults in need of additional support to avoid hospitalization, stabilize symptoms, and return to their previous level of functioning. The program specializes in providing care for individuals with co-occurring behavioral health and substance use issues, ensuring culturally sensitive, peer-supported care in a homelike environment.
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) residential treatment services, managed by HealthRIGHT 360, will continue uninterrupted at the campus. This program includes treatment for 30 adults, with designated beds for both men and women, offering comprehensive care including treatment planning, counseling, medication services, and care coordination.
• The Sobering Center at the Orange campus is temporarily closed and will reopen soon in partnership with CalOptima Health. In the interim, sobering services are available at Phoenix House in Santa Ana. For more information, please call (714) 953-9373, extension 2 during business hours, or (714) 752-0854 after hours and on weekends.

The County of Orange remains committed to enhancing behavioral health services for our community and looks forward to continuing to build on the Be Well brand as a trusted resource for mental health and substance use treatment in Orange County.
 
For more information about the Be Well Orange Campus or to access services, please contact OC Links at (855) 625-4657, available 24/7, or visit OCNavigator.org.

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Mpox infections, from Clade II Monkeypox virus, continue to be endemic in the United States. Orange County has had an increase in mpox cases over the summer. Orange County Pride Parade and Festival is scheduled for October 5th. Pride events have been associated with an increase in risk behaviors and mpox transmission. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently had a press release reporting a significant increase in mpox cases in their jurisdiction. Providers should remain vigilant for people presenting with signs of mpox, test appropriately and notify OCHCA Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) at 714-834-8180 with any suspect cases.  

In addition, providers should continue to monitor the evolving situation of Clade I mpox in Africa and educate patients traveling to Africa about the risk and prevention strategies. The CDC recently released a Health Alert - Prevention Strategies for Mpox, including Vaccinating People at Risk via Sexual Exposure, for U.S. Travelers Visiting Countries with Clade I Mpox Outbreaks. More info...

In 2024, Orange County has already identified 25 cases of dengue virus infection. This exceeds the number of county residents identified with dengue virus infection in any year over the last 10 years. All of these cases have been among international travelers and no locally acquired dengue virus infections have been identified in Orange County to date.

In June, the CDC released a Health Alert: Increased Risk of Dengue Virus Infections in the United States. While cases of dengue virus infection in the Americas have declined over the last several weeks based on data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), counts remain above the 5 year average. Dengue also remains endemic in many parts of Asia and Africa.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector for dengue virus. Aedes aegypti are widespread in Orange County. Their presence, along with increasing numbers of travel-associated dengue virus infection, increase the risk for local transmission of dengue. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued a health advisory due to smoke drift from local wildfires. The health advisory follows a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for parts of Southern California from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) which indicates unhealthy air quality for parts of Orange County (OC). The HCA is urging individuals in smoke impacted areas to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.
 
“Individuals with heart and respiratory diseases, older adults, children and pregnant women are among those who can be most directly affected by smoke exposure,” said County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong. “Air pollution levels from the fire can change rapidly, depending on weather conditions, so we especially recommend that individuals in these higher-risk groups limit outdoor activity and physical exertion until the situation is over.” Other recommendations include:

• Keeping the windows and doors in your home closed, and using your air conditioner on the re-circulate mode, if available. This will limit the intake of outdoor air and keep your home comfortable.
• Keeping your mouth and nasal passageways moist by drinking lots of water. This helps your body filter out potentially harmful particles in the smoke.
• Contacting your health provider if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. People who have not been previously diagnosed with lung or heart disease may begin having problems in smoky conditions.  
• Those with asthma should follow an asthma management plan, making sure to have at least a five-day supply of asthma medication on hand.

For more information on the smoke advisory visit the AQMD website at https://www.aqmd.gov.

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(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) announces the return of the "Light Up Hope OC" Campaign during the month of September for Suicide Prevention Month, as part of its ongoing commitment to raising awareness and spreading hope. The campaign aligns with the statewide "Strive for Zero" initiative, an effort to prevent suicides. The County of Orange (County) will light up the County Administration Buildings in teal and purple, the official colors of suicide prevention.

“Light Up Hope OC shows the County’s commitment to suicide prevention for all, and especially for at risk populations hardest hit by suicide deaths, historically, like Veterans, older adults, members of the LGBTQ+ community and immigrant populations,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “On behalf of the entire Board, I want to emphasis that help is available. If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call 988, or visit lightuphopeoc.com for resources.”

Suicide impacts all communities, regardless of race, age, gender, or income. Some key facts:

•  It is the third leading cause of death among young adults 15-29 years of age.
•  Nearly one in five women living in Orange County experience symptoms of depression during or after pregnancy, known as post-partum depression. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the first year following childbirth due to added stressors.
•  In 2024, an average of 24 individuals died by suicide in Orange County each month and the median age was 49.

The HCA’s Office of Wellness and Suicide Prevention (OWSP) coordinates suicide prevention efforts at the Agency level and interfaces with local and statewide initiatives to build community awareness and reduce suicides in Orange County. The office has aligned with the state’s “Striving for Zero Suicide Plan” framework to implement local strategies for suicide prevention.

"Even one suicide is one too many,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, HCA Director. “Through the “Light Up Hope OC” Campaign, as well as the ongoing efforts of the HCA’s Office of Wellness and Suicide Prevention, we are striving for zero suicides in Orange County. We all play a role in preventing suicide. I encourage our OC community to support one another in prioritizing mental wellness and not be afraid to talk about suicide prevention with loved ones who may be struggling.”

To learn more about the warning signs of suicide or the "Light Up Hope OC" Campaign, visit www.LightUpHopeOC.com. For immediate assistance or support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8. For additional resources visit www.OCNavigator.org or call (855) OC-LINKS.

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