**UPDATED information can be found at www.Tustinca.org**

(Santa Ana, CA) – Smoke and ash from the recent fire at a hangar located at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin may pose a health risk to some Orange County (OC) residents in the immediate and adjacent vicinity. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a Smoke Advisory for the Tustin area indicating that air quality will be variable through Wednesday as wind conditions change.

“Everyone should be aware of the recommended precautions to reduce the health effects of smoke and ash from building fires,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency’s Director of Public Health Services. “Extra measures may be needed for those with pre-existing medical conditions like heart or lung disease, those with disabilities, older adults, children, and those who may be working outdoors.”

As the Tustin fire situation has evolved since this initial press release was issued, updated health recommendations and precautions can be found on the Tustin website as the lead agency for this incident. Visit www.Tustinca.org.

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(Santa Ana, CA) –  (October 26, 2023) The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) invites the community to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at convenient locations throughout Orange County (OC).
 
"This event provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to declutter their medicine cabinets while actively safeguarding the health and well-being of their loved ones," Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services, stated. "Pharmaceutical drugs, when misused, can be as hazardous as street drugs, contributing to the nationwide opioid crisis that affects our community. Participation in events like National Take Back Day truly makes a significant impact."
 
This initiative addresses a crucial public safety and health concern. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aligns with the HCA’s commitment to the well-being of the OC community, promoting the responsible disposal of medications to prevent misuse and combat opioid addiction.
 
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day serves as a vital reminder of our collective responsibility in keeping our communities safe. To find a convenient Take Back drop-off location, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1 (800) 882-9539. The drop-off service is both free and anonymous.
 
For further information on medication misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to discover year-round safe disposal options, please visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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(Santa Ana, CA) — A bat found east of parking lot W in Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869 on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at approximately 2:00 pm has tested positive for rabies.

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

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(Santa Ana, CA) — The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has identified seven cases of Salmonella illness in Orange County (OC) residents following consumption of unpasteurized or “raw” milk from Raw Farm LLC, which recently issued a recall of its raw whole milk and raw heavy creams products.
 
The HCA urges those who may have purchased raw whole milk or raw heavy cream products from Raw Farm LLC to not consume the products and discard them immediately. Anyone who becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk, particularly products from Raw Farm LLC, should seek medical care immediately.
 
All confirmed cases had illness onset within the past 30 days, with affected individuals ranging in age from one to 20 years old. The HCA continues to investigate the situation in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The HCA is also reaching out to stores in the county who may be selling these products to assure that they are aware of the recall.
 
Raw milk has not gone through the pasteurization process that heats milk to a high temperature for a short period of time to kill harmful germ contaminants such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. Coli. Pasteurization is the only effective method for eliminating most harmful germs in raw milk or milk products and does not significantly change the nutritional value. Guidance from both the CDC and FDA indicates that consumption of any type of unpasteurized milk or milk product may be harmful to your health.
 
Most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms six hours to six days after exposure. Diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps may be severe or mild; some people may not have any symptoms. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most individuals recover completely without treatment. However, people can get develop severe illness requiring hospitalization.
 
County of San Diego health officials issued an advisory last week due to Salmonella infections in residents there after consumption of products from the same milk producer.
 
More information on raw milk safety is available here.

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(Santa Ana, CA) –  (October 25, 2023) The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is partnering with the City of Costa Mesa to enhance services for individuals experiencing homelessness and serious behavioral health conditions. This joint initiative, through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, is funded through a $4 million grant from the County of Orange (County).
 
"The partnership between the County of Orange and the City of Costa Mesa reflects our unwavering dedication to the welfare of our community," said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. "The BHBH Program is a crucial step forward in addressing the homelessness crisis and supporting those with behavioral health challenges.”
 
The primary objective of the BHBH Program is to provide immediate and sustainable solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness who face significant behavioral health barriers to accessing assistance. A total of 15 new beds will be established through this grant. The program allocates funds for operational and supportive services and for facilitating the expansion of bridge housing initiatives.
                                                             
"For too long, cities invested local dollars to boost up the County's system of care; but it's a new day in Orange County. The BHBH Program serves as a testament to the County's commitment to combat the homelessness, behavioral health, and substance use crises head on," said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District. "This new housing for our most vulnerable residents fills a gap in the current system of care, expands the Costa Mesa shelter, and creatively leverages funding to expand supportive services.”
 
The BHBH Program is part of the larger initiative led by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which will provide a total of $1.5 billion in funding. For more information about the program and a list of grant recipients, the public can visit here.
 
“For years, Costa Mesa has led the way in addressing homelessness through outreach and housing, being one of the first to build a homeless shelter,” said City of Costa Mesa Mayor, John Stephens. “The County’s BHBH Program will fill a gap in our service by providing on site mental health and addiction treatment. We thank the County, and Supervisor Katrina Foley specifically, for partnering with Costa Mesa to assist those in the greatest need.” 
 
The collaboration between the County and the City of Costa Mesa underscores the benefit of partnerships in addressing complex societal issues. This joint effort will leverage resources and expertise from both sides to forge the new project.
 
"This partnership enhances our ability to support the well-being of our community,” said HCA’s Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services, Dr. Veronica Kelley. “The program will offer a lifeline to those experiencing homelessness and struggling with serious behavioral health conditions."

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide options for clinicians to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the context of a limited supply of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization product recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00499.asp

(Santa Ana, CA) — Information provided by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) indicates that several chemicals have been detected in subsurface and indoor air samples at 60 E. Orangethorpe Avenue in the City of Anaheim. Sampling of soil and sub-slab gas conducted in November 2022 and February 2023 by the responsible party and recently reported to the DTSC indicates several of the chemicals detected are considered human carcinogens and/or cause other toxic effects to humans.
 
One of the chemicals found, Trichloroethylene (TCE), is used primarily as a degreasing agent in various industrial processes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 (USEPA) has identified cancer and non-cancer hazards based on exposure to TCE in indoor air. A specific vulnerable population is women in the first trimester of pregnancy, due to the potential for causing heart defects in the developing fetus. Long-term exposure may lead to increased risk of kidney or other cancers. The detected indoor air levels of TCE within the building located at this address exceed the USEPA urgent response category.
 
Another chemical found, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), is used primarily as a dry cleaning and degreasing solvent. The USEPA has identified cancer and non-cancer hazards based on exposure to PCE. The detected indoor air levels of PCE within the building located at this address exceed USEPA’s long and short-term exposure screening levels.
 
Measures to reduce the risk of breathing in TCE and PCE could include increased ventilation, sealing openings in the floor, treating the indoor air or temporary relocation. The levels detected at the business may pose a risk to some individuals on this an adjacent properties; however, are not likely to pose a risk to the surrounding neighborhoods or the public in general.
 
The OC Health Care Agency is responsible for providing this information to the local news media pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 25180.7(d). The intent of Proposition 65 - Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 is to protect the public and its drinking water resource, and to inform the public about potential exposures to chemical.
 
A fact sheet that includes frequently asked health questions about Trichloroethylene and Tetrachloroethylene from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts19.pdf and https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts18.pdf, respectively.
 
More information about this site and the related toxicological/health risk assessment can be obtained from Greg Shaffer, DTSC Statewide Brownfield Coordinator at (714) 484-5491 or gregory.shaffer@dtsc.ca.gov

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(Santa Ana, CA) — This year National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) celebrates 20 years of raising awareness in the Latinx community about the importance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, prevention, and treatment. 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.  

This year’s campaign theme “Do it your Way. Do it Right.” highlights different ways to prevent HIV. There are many options to protect yourself from HIV, you can do it your way and choose what is right for you. There are now more options for HIV treatment and prevention such as injectable HIV medication administered once a month for HIV treatment or once every two months for HIV prevention.
 
NLAAD is important in Orange County (OC) because, at the end of 2022, there were 6,916 persons living with HIV locally. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, there are an additional 1,288 OC residents living with HIV and do not know it. 

While the Latinx population represents about 34% of the total population in OC, they represented more than half (or 58%) of those newly diagnosed with HIV in 2022.
 
Many of these people 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, in 2021, 55% of Latinx had never been tested for HIV in their lifetime1. Therefore, it is crucial that the Latinx community have routine HIV testing as part of their medical care.
 
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 regularly. Knowing your HIV status is important to help prevent new HIV infections.
 
Ending the HIV epidemic requires everyone to do their part. 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 4:30 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, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are preferred. 
• Families Together Orange County: Call (800) 597-7977 or visit https://familiestogetheroc.org/. Testing is offered at three locations:
  • Tustin:
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (limited Saturday appointments)
  • Garden Grove:
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (limited Saturday appointments; every 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month)
  • Fountain Valley:
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 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 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/

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"Hazlo a tu manera. Hazlo bien".
Día Nacional Latino de Concientización sobre el SIDA  

(Santa Ana, CA) – Este ano, el Día Nacional Latino de Concientización sobre el SIDA (NLAAD, por sus siglas en inglés) celebra 20 años de crear concientización en la comunidad Latina sobre la importancia de las pruebas, la prevención y el tratamiento del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH, por sus siglas en inglés). NLAAD se enfoca en crear conciencia sobre:

• Hacerse la prueba y conocer su carga viral;
• Usar condones para protegerse del VIH y otras Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual (ETS);
• Conocer las opciones de prevención si es VIH negativo, la Profilaxis Previa a la Exposición (PrEP, por sus siglas en inglés) puede ayudar a protegerle de un contagio de VIH; y
• Aprender sobre nuevas opciones de tratamiento que puede recibir para mantener la supresión viral, lo que significa tener una carga viral indetectable si es VIH positivo. 

El tema de la campaña de este año "Hazlo a tu manera. Hazlo Bien" destaca las diferentes formas de prevenir el VIH. Hay muchas opciones para protegerse del VIH, puede hacerlo a su manera y elegir lo que sea adecuado para usted. En la actualidad hay más opciones para el tratamiento y la prevención del VIH, como los medicamentos inyectables contra el VIH que se administran una vez al mes para el tratamiento del VIH, o una vez cada dos meses para la prevención del VIH.
 
El NLAAD es importante en el Condado de Orange (OC) porque a finales de 2022, había 6,916 personas que vivían con el VIH a nivel local. Según las estimaciones de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), hay otros 1,288 residentes de OC que viven con el VIH y no lo saben.
 
Si bien la población latina representa alrededor del 34% de la población total en OC, representaron más de la mitad (o el 58%) de los recién diagnosticados con VIH en 2022.
 
Muchas de estas personas habían acudido a una sala de emergencias, a un centro de salud comunitario o a su médico, pero no se les había hecho la prueba del VIH. Según el grupo Latino Comission on AIDS, en 2021 el 55% de los latinos nunca se habían hecho la prueba del VIH en su vida1. Por lo tanto, es crucial que la comunidad latina se haga la prueba de VIH habitualmente como parte del cuidado de la salud.
 
Todos los adolescentes y adultos deberían hacerse la prueba del VIH al menos una vez como parte de su atención médica de rutina, y las personas con mayor riesgo de contraer el VIH deben hacerse la prueba con más regularidad. Es importante que conozca su carga viral para ayudar a prevenir nuevas infecciones por el VIH.
 
Para poner fin a la epidemia del VIH es necesario que todos hagan su parte. Si nunca se ha hecho la prueba del VIH, pídale a su médico una prueba del VIH. Las pruebas de VIH gratuitas y confidenciales están disponibles en las agencias que se enumeran a continuación. 

• AltaMed: Llame al  (714) 500-0491 o visite Servicios de Pruebas de VIH (altamed.org)
  • Las pruebas se ofrecen  de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.
  • La información sobre las pruebas también está disponible en las redes sociales en https://www.instagram.com/growproud 
• Centro 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 10 a.m.  a 4:30 p.m.
  • Se reciben las visitas sin cita previa. Es preferible que pida una cita. 
• Families Together Orange County: Llame al (800) 597-7977 o visite https://familiestogetheroc.org/. Las pruebas se ofrecen en tres localidades:
  • Tustin:
    • Lunes, martes, jueves y viernes, de 9 a.m. a 6 p.m.
    • Miércoles, de 9 a.m. a 7 p.m.
    • Sábado, de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. (citas limitadas los sábados)
  • Garden Grove:
    • Martes, miércoles, jueves y viernes, de 8:30 a.m. a 6 p.m.
    • Sábado, de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. (citas limitadas los sábados; cada 1er y 3er sábado de cada mes)
  • Fountain Valley:
    • Martes, miércoles, jueves y viernes, de 9 a.m. a 6 p.m. 
• Agencia del Cuidado de la Salud de OC /Clínica 17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Llame al (714) 834-8787 para hacer una cita o visite http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std  para  obtener más información. Se aceptan visitas sin cita previa basado en la disponibilidad. Horario de la clínica:
  • Lunes, miércoles, jueves y viernes, de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m.
  • Martes, de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m. 
• Radiant Health Centers: Llame al (949) 809-5700 o visite www.radianthealthcenters.org/ para obtener más información. Las visitas sin cita previa se basan solo en disponibilidad, por favor llamar antes. Horas:
  • Martes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
  • Miércoles y jueves, de 10 a.m. a 7 p.m.
  • Viernes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
  • Sábado, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
• The LGBT Center Orange County: Para una cita o más información, llame al (714) 953-5428 o visite www.lgbtcenteroc.org/. Las pruebas se ofrecen:
  • Martes, de 10 a.m. a 8:30 p.m.
  • Miércoles y jueves, de 6 p.m. a 9 p.m.
• Viernes, de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. 

Para más sitios de pruebas e información sobre los servicios de VIH en OC, llame al (714) 834-8335 o visite www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites. 
Para listar o encontrar eventos de NLAAD, visite www.nlaad.org.  
1 Día Nacional Latino de Concientización sobre el SIDA. Infografía: El VIH en la comunidad latina. https://nlaad.org/

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