(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a case of measles in an infant returning from international travel to Orange County (OC). The person visited the following locations in OC while infectious:

• November 30, 12 noon to 5 p.m., Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Emergency Department
• December 2, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. CHOC Emergency Department
• December 3, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. CHOC Emergency Department

The HCA has been working with Children’s Hospital of Orange County to contact anyone who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. People who were in the locations above around the same time(s) should:

• Review whether they are immune to measles or not. People who are not fully immunized against measles or who don’t know if they are immune to measles already should talk with a health care provider about whether they should receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately for guidance.

“Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe disease in some individuals. Common symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “With recent and upcoming holiday travel there are potential areas of exposure. If you are planning to travel and have not been immunized, talk to a provider to consider getting a vaccine. It is important for those returning from travel to monitor for symptoms. If a rash develops, call your medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others to the measles virus. Immunization provides the best protection.”
 
For information about measles in Orange County including any updates to this case, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/measles. Additional information about measles can be found by visiting www.cdc.gov/measles­ and for information on measles and travel visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/travel/index.html.
 
About measles immunization:

• For those planning to travel to areas outside of the US, consider talking to a health care provider to discuss recommended vaccines.
• Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
• Infants under 12 months old who are traveling internationally should receive an early MMR vaccine dose at 6 through 11 months.
• Immunizing children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
• MMR vaccines are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given.
• Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Receiving an MMR vaccine before international travel is recommended for those who have not already received two doses.

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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A case of measles has been confirmed in a child who returned at the end of November after international travel. Potential exposures may have occurred in the following situations:

• Wednesday, 11/27/24 at Los Angeles International (LAX) airport, additional information available here
• Saturday, 11/30/2024 from noon to 5:00 PM Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Emergency Department
• Monday, 12/2/24 from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM CHOC Emergency Department
• Wednesday, 12/3/24 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM CHOC Emergency Department

Measles is an acute viral illness typically presenting with fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, followed 3-5 days later by a rash. The maculopapular rash typically begins on the face and spreads down the torso and out to the extremities. The incubation period for measles ranges from 7-21 days after exposure and individuals are infectious from 4 days prior to rash onset until 4 days after rash onset. Measles is highly contagious and spreads via airborne transmission.

Individuals can be presumed to be immune to measles if they were 1) born prior to 1957 OR 2) have received two doses of measles containing vaccine OR 3) have documented positive IgG titer OR 4) documentation of prior disease. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has closed the open coastal area from 1,500 feet upcoast of the Salt Creek to 1,500 feet downcoast of the Salt Creek in Dana Point. The spill of approximately 3,375 gallons was caused by a breakage in a main lift station sewer line, now repaired. Out of an abundance of caution, the affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
 
For information regarding ocean, bay or harbor postings and closures in Orange County, please call (714) 433-6400 or visit ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.

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(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) recognizes World AIDS Day on December 1, 2024, which marks the 36th commemoration, as an opportunity to support the well-being of those living with HIV; to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illness; and to promote prevention, care, and treatment services to end the HIV epidemic.
 
The World AIDS Day 2024 campaign theme is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” This year’s World AIDS Day theme is an opportunity to reflect on the journey, acknowledge and celebrate progress made, and recognize the challenges remaining to end the HIV epidemic on a global, national, and local level.
 
“At the end of 2023, there were an estimated 8,181 persons living with AIDS or HIV in Orange County (OC), based on methodology from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “Knowing your HIV status is important to preventing new infections and we encourage everyone to make HIV screening part of your routine medical care.” For more information on HIV/AIDS in OC visit www.ochealthinfo.com/hivpac.
 
The HCA encourages the local community to take action to reduce HIV transmission through the following steps:

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

“There are treatments which allow individuals who live with HIV to stay healthy and prevent transmission to others,” said Dr. Christopher Ried, Medical Director, HIV/STD Services. “Through the HCA’s 17th Street Testing and Treatment Clinic, as well as community-based partnerships, residents can readily access confidential HIV testing and treatment.”
 
Local World AIDS Day Events:

• December 1, 2024, the City of Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee will host a Coffee, Greet, and Community Sharing at 3:30 p.m. on the Main Beach cobblestone area followed by a Candlelight Vigil from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Laguna Beach Community Clinic will be providing free HIV testing vouchers at the event.
• December 6, 2024, APAIT Health Center, in collaboration with The LGBTQ Center Orange County, will be hosting the “World AIDS Day: Riot & Remember, a LGBTQ celebration of riot grrrl culture – Open Mic Night” event from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Brad Brafford LGBTQ Center on 4th located at 305 E. 4th St., Suite 203, Santa Ana. Performances and open mic will start at 6:30 p.m., and activities will include Community Resources, HIV/STD Testing, Mocktail Bar, and World AIDS Day Community Zine featuring local artists. RSVP at the following link: https://forms.gle/sEfyVvPdEtDGuput7.

People at higher risk of HIV should get tested more often and people who have never been tested can get tested for free. Please ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Free, confidential HIV testing is available year-round at the agencies listed below. To make an appointment or for additional information regarding testing, contact:

• 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.apaitssg.org/ for more information.
  • Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 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.
• Radiant Health Centers: Call (949) 809-5700 or visit www.radianthealthcenters.org/ for more information. Walk-ins based only on availability, please call first. Hours:
  • Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  •  
• The LGBTQ Center Orange County: For more information or an appointment, call (714) 953-5428 or visit https://www.lgbtqcenteroc.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 Orange County, please call (714) 834-8335 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites.
 
For more on World AIDS Day, visit: https://www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/world-aids-day

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The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) recently identified the first case of Trichophyton mentagrophytes (TMVII) in Orange County. TMVII is a recently emerged cause of dermatophyte (e.g. ringworm, or tinea) infection and is transmitted via sexual contact. Presentation involves inflammatory, sometimes painful, persistent skin lesions of the anogenital, buttocks, trunk, extremities, and perioral areas. TMVII cases have been associated with resistance to topical antifungals and may require prolonged treatment courses with oral terbinafine. Cases which did not resolve with terbinafine and required itraconazole treatment have also been reported. Routine culture may identify either T. mentagrophytes or T. interdigitale. Identification of TMVII requires specialized testing (e.g., ITS genome sequencing) available only at public health laboratories. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) - In preparation for the opening of the Be Well Campus in Irvine, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and Mind OC have worked closely with the Board of Supervisors, CalOptima, and both public and private partners to create a Behavioral Health Campus dedicated to enhancing access to and coordination of behavioral health care for all Orange County residents. Our shared mission, supported by leaders across the healthcare community — including CalOptima, the County of Orange, and the region’s largest hospitals — is to improve behavioral health services through the Be Well OC initiative.

On Friday, November 22, 2024, HCA notified Mind OC of its intent to terminate the Master Services Agreement for the Irvine Campus, effective December 23, 2024. This decision follows a four-year evaluation of the partnership at the Orange Campus, where a model involving private insurance providers did not deliver additional resources to benefit the community as intended. As a result, the HCA shifted away from this model, in September at the Orange Campus, and is following suit at the new Irvine Campus. 

HCA remains committed to the completion of the Irvine Campus construction and ensuring that it meets the needs of the community. Mind OC will continue to manage the property in partnership with the County.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care to all Orange County residents.

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(Santa Ana, CA) –The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) was notified of seven confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s Disease (LD) among residents living in a community in a northwestern corner of Westminster (see map). Investigations have begun by the HCA’s Disease Control and Epidemiology team and HCA’s Environmental Health Services to identify potential sources of the infections which could include cooling towers, pools, spas, or other water sources in the area.
 
Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria and thrives in warm water environments and is typically spread through the inhalation of aerosolized water droplets, such as mist from cooling towers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains. It is not contagious from person to person. The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are like other causes of pneumonia and can be treated with antibiotics.
 
Legionella cases reported to the HCA have steadily been increasing over the last five years, from 66 cases in 2019, to 92 in 2023. So far in 2024, 82 cases have been reported in Orange County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported marked increases in Legionella cases over the past twelve months throughout the U.S.
 
The risk to anyone who lives or visits Westminster is very small, however, the HCA recommends that individuals who live and work in this area and who become ill with pneumonia-like illness visit their healthcare provider and discuss this advisory. People who are more likely to experience severe illness from Legionnaires’ disease include individuals 50 years and older, those with weakened immune systems, those with chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD) and smokers.
 
The HCA has also published medical provider advisories to recommend that medical providers consider testing for Legionnaire’s disease (LD) in any patient who develops pneumonia and lives in, works in, or has spent significant time in northwestern Westminster in the 14 days before symptom onset.
 
Symptoms most associated with pneumonia and Legionnaires' disease include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea

Additionally, the HCA is asking businesses and property owners to review their water management practices, especially those with cooling towers, hot tubs, or fountains. The following steps are recommended to help mitigate the spread of Legionella:

• Review, maintain and/or establish a water management program.
• Disinfection of cooling towers and water systems to prevent bacteria growth.
• Perform routine water system maintenance and maintain records and logs.
• Perform Legionella testing through accredited laboratories, particularly following any remediation efforts. 

For more information on Legionnaires' disease, and for updated information regarding this ongoing investigation, please visit the HCA’s website at www.ochealthinfo.com/legionella. The HCA’s Health Referral Line is available to answer any additional questions at (800) 564-8488, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 

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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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Available in: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) was notified of seven confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s Disease (LD) among residents living in a community in a northwestern corner of Westminster. Investigations have begun by the HCA’s Disease Control and Epidemiology team and HCA’s Environmental Health Services to identify potential sources of the infections which could include cooling towers, pools, spas, or other water sources in the area. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The South Coast Air Quality Management District today issued a Windblown Dust Advisory where winds are high across the Los Angeles metro area, the Inland Empire, and Orange County. Air quality will be variable through Thursday afternoon or until windy conditions subside.

Precautions for those in impacted areas:

• Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity.
• Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air.
• Help minimize dust pollution by stabilizing loose soils and slowing down if driving on dirt roads.
• Always wear proper personal protective equipment (long-sleeve shirts, pants, gloves, and safety glasses) when working around ash. A well-fitting respirator such as an N-95 may provide some protection. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
• Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions (e.g., dry sweeping) that will put ash into the air. To clean up ash, use vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

For more information, see the EPA Guide for Particle Pollution (PDF).
To view current air quality in your neighborhood, download the South Coast AQMDapp or visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.
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