(Santa Ana, CA) - Temperatures in most of Orange County are expected to reach the low to mid 90s beginning today and are predicted to reach the high 90s and low 100 degrees through Saturday, September 7.

In addition to dangerous heat, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has warned of poor air quality in certain areas. Residents and visitors are advised to check air quality levels regularly and limit outdoor activities as necessary.

High temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke for those at higher risk for heat illness, including people who work outdoors, infants, children, pregnant people, ages 65 or older, and people with chronic conditions.

Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat cramps or heatstroke and can even be fatal. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness. Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid pulse, and a throbbing headache.

If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water.

• Recommended precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses include:
• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a wide brim hat and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those, like neighbors, who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool. To find a cooling center near you, visit Cooling Centers | Orange County (ocgov.com).

Since temperatures and conditions can vary widely throughout the County, local schools, child care facilities, and organizations working with children are encouraged to visit the State of California Office of School Health Hub for heat planning guidance and sports and activities recommendations to protect students and youth during these high temperature alert periods.

For more information on heat-related illnesses, visit the California HeatReadyCA.com.

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(Santa Ana, CA) - A bat found at Northwood Community Park in Irvine has tested positive for rabies.  The bat was found at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in the park on the corner of Bryan and Yale Ave. on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or who saw someone having contact with the bat is asked to call the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) 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 so 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 the HCA’s CDCD team 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/.

(Santa Ana, CA) – Since the opening of the Be Well OC campus in Orange, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and Mind OC have worked collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors, CalOptima Health, and various public and private partners to serve the Orange County community.
 
Our shared mission has been to enhance coordination and access to crisis behavioral health care for all county residents regardless of payor. Leaders across the health care community — the County of Orange, CalOptima Health and Orange County’s largest hospitals and health systems — have invested significantly in improving behavioral health care through the Be Well OC initiative.
 
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the HCA informed Mind OC of the intent to terminate the Master Services Agreement for the Orange Campus, effective September 30, 2024. This decision is based on an ever-evolving public, private partnership model. The HCA will manage the landscape of Medicaid programs at the site and partner with Exodus Recovery Inc. and HealthRight 360 to ensure continued high quality psychiatric crisis and substance use disorder services. Mind OC will continue to manage the property and will carry on its mission to build infrastructure and collaboration with health systems and community organizations to strengthen Orange County's system of care.
 
The Be Well OC movement has always had the health and well-being of our clients as our top priority with a goal to create a model where all stakeholders contribute to the behavioral health needs of all community members.
 
The County of Orange, the HCA, and Mind OC remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care to all residents of Orange County and will continue to uphold that promise.

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OC Health Care Agency Reports First Human West Nile Virus Case of 2024 in Orange County

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency reports today that a resident of Huntington Beach has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the first human WNV case in Orange County this year. Health officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their family.
 
“West Nile Virus regularly occurs in Orange County during the summer months and into the fall. With increased WNV Activity reported by our partners at OC Vector Control, we anticipate that additional human cases may be reported in the coming weeks,” said Dr. Matthew Zahn, Deputy County Health Officer. "We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites as the best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection.”

Recommended WNV precautions include:

• Emptying all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flowerpots and pet bowls.
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition.
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, always following label directions.
• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Most people who become infected with WNV do not experience symptoms, but about 20% will develop fever and may have headache, body aches, nausea, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash. More serious symptoms, such as severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or paralysis, occur more rarely, but people who develop these symptoms should seek medical care immediately. People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of serious complications from WNV infection.

In 2023 there were 7 reported human infections of WNV reported in Orange County. Information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at  www.ocvector.org. Other websites with helpful information about WNV include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC West Nile Virus.
• State of California: CA West Nile Virus.
• OC Health Care Agency: HCA West Nile Virus.

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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Translations: Arabic | Chinese (Simplified / Traditional) | Farsi | Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese

On August 23, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized the 2024-2025 Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA reported that doses would start shipping immediately. Providers can order vaccines through their usual channels.

While the FDA has not deauthorized 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Program released a memo recommending that providers stop using 2023-2024 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The 2023-2024 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine remains authorized but is no longer available in the United States as all doses have expired. There are no recommendations for the use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine as no approved and authorized product exists at this time.

The CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States provides an up to date resource on the use of COVID-19 vaccines across the age spectrum. More info...

A resident of Huntington Beach has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the first human WNV case in Orange County this year. In 2023, Orange County had seven WNV infections, with the first case also reported in late August. As of August 23, 2024, the California Department of Public Health reported 19 human West Nile Virus cases statewide this season.  More info...

Summer is coming to an end and now it’s time to get ready for a new school year. If you haven’t already, make an appointment for a well child visit with your child’s doctor and make sure your child is up to date on all the recommended vaccines, including COVID-19. Set aside some time to talk with your child about the new school year. Let them have a chance to talk about their feelings and see what they look forward to this school year. It may put their mind at ease to talk about what they are worried about so you can reassure them that being nervous is normal. You might even have some funny stories to share from when you were in school!  

Make a Back-to-School Checklist  (for more details, see Checklist for the First Day of School - HealthyChildren.org English | Spanish) 

• Get a monthly calendar, mark important dates, and post it on your fridge so that everyone can stay organized.  
• Make an appointment with your child’s doctor for their check-up and vaccinations.  If your child does not have health insurance or you cannot afford immunizations, the OC Health Care Agency provides free immunizations for infants and children ages 2 months to 18 years at our clinic in Santa Ana. Visit:
  • OC Health Care Agency: Immunization Clinic (Free and Low-cost Shots/ Vaccines) English | Spanish | Vietnamese
    • To learn more about all the vaccines your child will need to start school or child care:
      • Shots Required for TK-12 in California English | Spanish
      • Shots for Child Care/Preschool English | Spanish   
• Check-in with the school/school nurse for medical needs, health forms, and to turn in your vaccination records. 
• Make sure your emergency contact forms are up to date and you know the school’s emergency procedures.  Does your child know how to contact you? 
• Plan how your child will be going to and from school safely.  See Walking and Biking to School: Keeping Kids Safe English | Spanish. 
• Find out if your child needs to bring snacks or lunch to school or what the food options are at school.  Many children qualify for free or reduced price food at school; this may also include breakfast.  Ask your school if you qualify and about any forms you may need to fill out to apply. 
• Find out if your child needs to bring supplies to school each day and make sure they have something comfortable to carry the supplies in. 
• If you can, take your child to visit a new school or classroom before the first day of school.  Some schools have orientations or tours.  You could also consider taking your child to the school to see the playground before the first day of school. 
• A week or two before school begins, start adjusting their bedtime earlier to help them ease into school time routines.  Find a nighttime routine - kids need consistency and time to unwind from their busy day. Turn off all screens (TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, phones, video games) at least 1 hour before bedtime.  Create a Family Media Use Plan and include bedtime boundaries.  The nighttime routine may also involve taking a bath/shower, reading a bedtime story, and brushing teeth. 

The Night Before The First Day of School 

• Make a healthy lunch the night before; make sure to add a protein and a fruit or vegetable.  See Back to School Food Safety Tips when preparing lunches for your child. 
• Lay out school clothes the night before. Let your child pick out their own clothes to make the first day of school a little more special. 
• Most importantly - Have the kids go to bed on time! The American Academy of Sleep Medicine¹ recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours in a 24 hour period. Not enough sleep can lead to poor behavior, learning difficulties, and other health problems.  
• Set an alarm to help your child get up in the morning. 

On The First Day of School 

Make sure your kids:

• Eat a healthy breakfast.  Children who eat a nutritious breakfast do better in school, have better concentration and more energy.  Some schools provide breakfast for the children through the free and reduced price lunch program, but if not, make sure the breakfast contains some protein. Sugary cereal can cause a mid-morning slump.  
• Brush their teeth.
• Grab their backpack and don’t forget their water bottle! 

With your checklist complete, plenty of sleep and some preparation the night, your morning should be a lot easier.  Let’s get the school year started!  

 References  

¹American Academy of Sleep Medicine  English  

²HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Back-to-School Tips for Families: English | Spanish 

³HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Checklist for the First Day of School: English | Spanish 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children between the age of 3 to 5 years be physically active throughout the day for growth and development. Children and teenagers 6 to 17 years old need to be active with moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 60 minutes every day. Increased physical activity can have many benefits to everyone’s overall health and wellness.

Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

• Improves attention and memory.
• Builds strong muscles and endurance.
• Strengthens bones.
• Helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

¹*from CDC’s Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children English

You and your child can have fun while being physically active. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that outdoor play gives your child sensory rich experiences and the physical activity they need for their developing minds and bodies.

Here are a few fun ideas to boost your child’s physical activity:

• Bike or walk with the family
• Plan a picnic
• Play ball or frisbee
• Explore Orange County beaches, parks, and trails
  • OC Parks: Your Backyard Adventure

For more outdoor play ideas:

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Playing Outside: Why It’s Important for Kids English | Spanish

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Young Children Learn a Lot When They Play English | Spanish

What if my child has a disability?
 

Talk to your child’s doctor about physical activity and what options there are to help your child stay active.
 

For more information on physical activity for children and teens with disabilities see:

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Physical Activity for Children and Teens with Disabilities: AAP Policy Explained English | Spanish