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Communicable Disease Control Division Past News Archive

CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County Update for Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs)May 14, 2020
Fifteen COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified in Orange County LTCFs over the past 4 weeks. These outbreaks have occurred despite good compliance with temperature and symptom screening of both staff and residents. Outbreaks can spread rapidly among residents and staff, and responding to and testing for these outbreaks strains resources.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County UpdateMarch 23, 2020
Orange County has now had over 125 cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) reported. There has been a rapid increase in daily reports of COVID-19 cases over the last several days and community transmission is becoming more widespread. At this point the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) will only be conducting investigations of cases identified in hospitalized patients, health care workers, and residents of congregate living facilities. Providers should inform their patients of test results and give them education on disease prevention and monitoring for worsening disease.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County UpdatesMarch 17, 2020
Orange County now has 22 cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) reported; case numbers are increasingly rapidly and a number of cases resulting from community transmission have been reported.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County UpdatesMarch 13, 2020
Orange County now has thirteen cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) reported, including one case that appears to have been locally transmitted. The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) is identifying and contacting close community exposures to these cases.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County UpdateMarch 9, 2020
Clinical laboratories have announced that COVID-19 testing is now or will soon be available. The CDC has also recently liberalized its guidance for potential testing to a wider group symptomatic patients. Providers should anticipate transitioning to using commercial laboratories for clinical testing.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Orange County UpdatesMarch 4, 2020
The second and third Orange County cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) were confirmed yesterday. Both cases had a history of recent international travel to a country with known local spread of COVID-19. The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) is identifying and contacting any community exposures to these cases.
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Declaration of a Local Health EmergencyFebruary 26, 2020
County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick signed a local health emergency declaration on 2/26/20 regarding COVID-19. This is part of broader preparedness efforts and will help ensure our response remains flexible and can evolve as the situation does.
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County of Orange Declares Emergency in Response to COVID-19February 26, 2020
The County of Orange has declared a local emergency and a local
health emergency to prepare for COVID-19, commonly known as novel coronavirus.
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CD Health Alert: First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Orange County: Update for ProvidersJanuary 26, 2020
The first confirmed case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Orange County was identified yesterday. A second case was also confirmed yesterday in Los Angeles County. Both occurred in non-resident travelers from Wuhan who acquired infection there and appear to be unrelated.
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CDPH Press Release: Two Confirmed Cases of Novel Coronavirus in CaliforniaJanuary 26, 2020
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been informed that one individual in Los Angeles County and one individual in Orange County have tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019). This information is confirmed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), and the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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OC Health Care Agency Confirms First Case of Novel Coronavirus in Orange County, CaliforniaJanuary 25, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
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CD Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Update for Orange CountyJanuary 23, 2020
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by 2019 Novel Coronavirus has been identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
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Eye on Influenza 2019-2020 Vol 16 Issue 3January 16, 2020
Influenza Activity Remains Elevated in Orange County, Driven by Influenza B.
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CD Health Alert: Updated Zika and Dengue Virus Surveillance and GuidanceJanuary 7, 2020
Due to the changing global epidemiology of Zika virus disease, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their serologic testing recommendations in November 2019 to no longer endorse routine serological IgM testing for Zika virus.
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Eye on Influenza 2019-20 Volume 16 Issue 2December 13, 2019
Influenza activity continues to increase in Orange County. Get your vaccination now!
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CD Health Alert: Increase in Mumps Cases in Orange CountyNovember 8, 2019
Since the beginning of 2019, 20 cases of mumps have been identified in Orange County residents. Three cases had onset in October. Median age of cases was 25 years (range 10 to 68 years), 60% were male. 16 (80%) out of 20 cases self-reported mumps virus immunization. 11 (55%) out of 20 cases had no history of international travel or contact with a known case, indicating local spread of mumps virus.
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Eye on Influenza 2019-20 Volume 16 Issue 1November 1, 2019
Influenza activity remains low in Orange County. Get your vaccination now!
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CD Health Alert: Potential Public Exposures to Measles CaseOctober 23, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed that a Los Angeles resident vistited Disneyland Park while infectious with measles on Wednesday, October 16th. The Orange County Health Care Agency and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health are conducting a coordinated investigation to identify any potential exposures and cases.
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CD Health Alert: Orange County Reports Season's First Influenza CaseOctober 9, 2019
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the County's first case of influenza for the 2019-20 season. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Anyone who has not already received the flu vaccine should get it now before influenza activity increases.
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CD Health Alert: Increase in Mumps Cases in Orange CountySeptember 5, 2019
Since the beginning of June, nine cases of mumps have been identified in Orange County residents. Eight of nine cases were in adults with ages ranging 19-41 years, one case was diagnosed in a 10 year old child.
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Press Release: Potential Public Exposure to International Measles CaseAugust 23, 2019
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed that a female teenager traveling internationally from New Zealand to Southern California (Orange and Los Angeles County) from August 11 through August 15, 2019 was infectious with the measles.
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CD Health Alert: Potential Public Exposures to International Measles CaseAugust 23, 2019
The Orange Count Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed that a teenage resident of New Zealand who traveled to Southern California (Orange and Los Angeles County) from August 11 through August 15, 2019 was infectious with measles during this period. The case acquired measles infection in New Zealand prior to travel.
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CD Health Alert: Orange County’s First West Nile Virus Human Infection of the Season ReportedAugust 19, 2019
A Tustin woman in her 50s was diagnosed last week with West Nile Virus (WNV) fever. This is the first human WNV infection identified in Orange County this season. Human infections have already been reported this season in the surrounding counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino.
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CD Health Alert: First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Sample has been Identified in Orange CountyAugust 5, 2019
Orange County’s first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample of the season was identified last week in the city of Orange through routine trapping and testing by the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD). No human infections have been identified so far this season in Orange County.
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CD Health Alert: Consider MERS in Returning Travelers from the Arabian PeninsulaAugust 2, 2019
With the annual Hajj pilgrimage occurring from August 9 to 14, 2019, thousands of Americans will be joining approximately two million Muslims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Crowded conditions increase the risk of communicable diseases, including respiratory and diarrheal illnesses.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Season SummaryJuly 24, 2019
Each influenza season, Orange County Health Care Agency partners with local hospitals, primary care providers, universities, and colleges to conduct influenza surveillance.
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CD Health Alert: Ongoing Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of CongoJuly 22, 2019
An outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was declared on August 1, 2018. The outbreak has been ongoing since then, with 2,578 confirmed and probable EVD cases and 1,737 deaths reported as of July 20, 2019.
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CD Health Alert: Update: Candida auris in Orange CountyJuly 2, 2019
Patients colonized or infected with Candida auris ( C. auris ) continue to be identified in Orange County.
Point prevalence surveys, with testing of all residents of a facility, have been completed in all long term acute care hospitals (LTACs) and skilled nursing facilities that provide ventilator (vSNFs) in Orange County.
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CD Health Alert: Candida auris in OC: Update for Skilled Nursing FacilitiesJune 10, 2019
Multiple patients colonized or infected with Candida auris ( C. auris) have been identified in Orange County. This cluster of cases is the first identified in Southern California.
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CD Health Alert: Update: Candida auris in Orange CountyMay 30, 2019
Patients colonized or infected with Candida auris ( C. auris ) continue to be identified in Orange County. In communities experiencing C. auris outbreaks in this country, colonization rates have consistently been highest in residents of long term acute care hospitals (LTACs) and skilled nursing facilities that provide ventilator care (vSNFs).
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CD Health Alert: Update - Measles in Orange CountyMay 24, 2019
No additional cases of measles have been identified in Orange County since the last update.
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CD Health Alert: Update: Measles Cases Confirmed in Orange CountyMay 17, 2019
One additional Orange County measles case was identified this week, a close contact of a previously identified case. In the last three weeks, four cases of measles have been identified who have Orange County connections: three Orange County residents and a Long Beach resident who is a student at the University of California-Irvine. Orange County clinicians should consider measles in patients who have the appropriate clinical presentation.
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CD Health Alert: Update: Measles Cases Confirmed in Orange CountyMay 7, 2019
Two cases of measles infection have been diagnosed in Orange County (OC) residents in the last ten days. One is an adult who acquired measles through international travel, the other is a child under a year of age who has no history of travel. An additional case has been identified in an adult resident of Long Beach who is a student at the University of California, Irvine and has no travel history. None of the these cases have a known social connection to each other.
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Potential Public Exposure To Measles CasesMay 4, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the second case of measles in 2019, an infant under the age of 1 who is too young to have been vaccinated and is currently hospitalized. This case has no history of international travel. The infant was seen at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) emergency department while infectious.
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CD Health Alert: Measles Case Confirmed in Orange CountyMay 1, 2019
Measles infection has been confirmed in an Orange County resident who recently returned from international travel.
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Potential Public Exposure To Measles CaseApril 30, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first case of measles in 2019, a resident of Placentia in her 20s who reported recent international travel to one of many countries currently experiencing widespread measles activity. The individual is considered infectious between April 23 and May 1, 2019 and is currently under voluntary isolation at home.
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CD Health Alert: Orange County Infant Pertussis DeathApril 19, 2019
Orange County Health Care Agency has recently confirmed a pertussis-related death in an infant. The case is the first pertussis-related death reported in Orange County since 2007.
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CD Health Alert: Update: Candida auris in Orange CountyApril 16, 2019
Patients colonized with Candida auris ( C. auris ) have been identified recently at multiple healthcare facilities in Orange County. Colonized patients have been identified in Kindred Hospital, Santa Ana.
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CD Health Alert: Measles on the RiseApril 15, 2019
Measles cases in the U.S. in the first three months of 2019 have already surpassed the year-end totals for every year except 2014 since ongoing transmission of measles was eliminated in this country nearly two decades ago.
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CD Healrt Alert: Update: Candida auris Cases in Kindred Hospital, Santa AnaMarch 28, 2019
Multiple patients colonized with Candida auris ( C. auris ) have been identified recently at Kindred Hospital, Santa Ana. These patients are the first identified in Southern California.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 6March 15, 2019
Influenza activity continues to be elevated in Orange County.
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CD Health Alert: Increase in Hepatitis A Cases With No History of TravelMarch 7, 2019
The Orange County Health Care Agency has received 10 reports of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in Orange County residents since September 1, 2018. Median case age is 48 years (range 27-69 years); 5 females, 5 males; 50% self-report as Not-Hispanic or Latino/White. Eight of these cases reported no history of travel to areas with ongoing HAV transmission or exposure to a known case. One of the eight cases reported illicit drug use, none reported experiencing homelessness. No common social or geographic exposures have been identified. None reported receiving hepatitis A vaccination in the past. Four cases with no history of travel have had genotyping performed, all were found to be infected with distinct HAV strains, indicating repeated introduction of HAV into the County.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 5February 19, 2019
Influenza activity remains elevated in Orange County.
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County of Orange Reports First Influenza-Related Death of SeasonJanuary 17, 2019
The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed Orange County's first influenza-related death in a person under 65 years of age this season.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 4January 16, 2019
Locally, influenza activity has significantly increased in recent weeks.
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Provider Advisory: Legionnaire's Disease in Garden GroveJanuary 9, 2019
The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has recently identified four cases of Legionnaire’s disease in residents of Garden Grove. The first case had an illness onset date of December 21, 2018. OCHCA is currently investigating the cases; a common exposure has not been identified.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 3December 21, 2018
Influenza Activity Has Begun to Increase in Orange County
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Provider Advisory: Hepatitis A Case With History of Illicit Drug Use in Orange CountyDecember 3, 2018
Orange County Public Health received a report last week of one case of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in a county resident with no history of travel outside the county or exposure to HAV. The case had a history of illicit drug use but no history of experiencing homelessness.
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 2November 21, 2018
Influenza Activity Remains Low in Orange County. Get Everyone Vaccinated Now Before It Increases!
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OC Health Care Agency Reports West Nile Virus Related DeathOctober 16, 2018
The first human death associated with West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Orange County has been confirmed by OC Health Care Agency officials. The case is an elderly female resident of Tustin who died with WNV infection complications.
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Provider Advisory: Orange County Reports Season's First Influenza CaseOctober 19, 2018
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the county’s first case of influenza for the 2018-19 season. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Anyone who has not already received the flu vaccine should get it now before influenza activity increases.
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CD Connection Newsletter - SeptemberSeptember 28, 2018
Update on Pertussis in Orange County
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Eye on Influenza 2018-19 Volume 15 Issue 1September 25, 2018
Influenza Season Begins September 30 - Get Your Vaccination Now!
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Provider Advisory: Hepatitis A Cases With No History of Travel in Orange CountySeptember 21, 2018
Orange County Public Health has received three reports in the last month of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) illness in persons with no recent history of travel or exposure to a known case. All three cases are male, with an age range of 30 to 65 years and illness onset dates ranging from August 14 to September 15. The three have no identified common social contacts. None report a history of injection or noninjection drug use or homelessness; one has a history of having sex with men. None report receiving hepatitis A vaccine in the past.
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Provider Advisory: Consider MERS in Returning Travelers from the Arabian PeninsulaSeptember 7, 2018
With the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, ending on August 24, the Orange County Health Care Agency reminds providers that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV or MERS) illness should be considered in returning travelers who present with symptoms consistent with lower respiratory tract infection.
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CD Connection Newsletter - AugustAugust 31, 2018
Salmonellosis in Orange County Overview
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Provider Advisory: Increase in Mumps Cases Among Young Adults in Orange CountyAugust 23, 2018
Orange County Health Care Agency has received five reports of mumps cases among young adults since June 1, 2018. The cases ranged in age from 18-22, three of five were male.
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Provider Advisory: Orange County's First West Nile Virus Human Infection of the Season ReportedAugust 8, 2018
A Tustin woman in her 70s was diagnosed this week with West Nile Virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease. This is the first human WNV infection identified in Orange County this season. Human infections have already been reported this season in the surrounding counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
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CD Connection Newsletter - JulyJuly 31, 2018
Antibiotic-Resistant Shigellosis in Orange County Overview
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Provider Advisory: First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito SampleJuly 10, 2018
The First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Sample has been Identified in Orange County
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CD Connection Newsletter - JuneJune 29, 2018
Endemic (Flea-Borne) Typhus Update
Flea-borne typhus is endemic in Orange County and cases may occur at any time. Incidence generally increases in the upcoming summer months in our area. Clinicians should consider typhus in patients with compatible symptoms and send testing.
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CD Connection Newsletter - MayMay 31, 2018
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can result from infectious and noninfectious causes.
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CD Connection Newsletter - AprilApril 30, 2018
Update on Zika and West Nile Virus for Orange County
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CD Connection Newsletter - MarchMarch 23, 2018
Tuberculosis (TB) Update in Orange County
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Eye on Influenza 2017-18 Vol 8March 9, 2018
It's Still Not Too Late to Get Vaccinated! Based on voluntary healthcare facility reporting, influenza appears to have peaked during week 52.
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Eye on Influenza 2017-18 Vol 7February 20, 2018
Influenza Activity Expected to Continue for Several More Weeks; It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate!
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Eye on Influenza 2017-18 Vol 6February 2, 2018
Influenza Viruses Continue to Circulate in Orange County
Although influenza viruses continue to circulate, overall activity has steadily decreased since week 1 (ending 1/6/2018).
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CD News Flash Newsletter Vol 4January 25, 2018
It's Not Too Late to Get Vaccinated
Although the first wave of influenza this season seems to have peaked in Orange County in late December/early January, activity is still high and we expect influenza to be circulating over the next several weeks to months.
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Eye on Influenza 2017-18 Vol 5January 19, 2018
Severe Cases of Influenza Continue to be Reported in Orange County
Although influenza activity has decreased in the past few weeks, overall activity in Orange County continues to be elevated and influenza strains are expected to circulate for several more weeks to months.
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Eye on Influenza 2017-18 Vol 4January 12, 2018
Influenza Activity Continues at High Levels in Orange County
Orange County continues to receive large numbers of influenza reports, outbreaks in long term care facilities and other group settings, and severe cases (less than 65 years of age hospitalized in intensive care or who died).
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CD News Flash Newsletter Vol 3January 10, 2018
Influenza Activity Still High in Orange County
The Orange County Health Care Agency continues to receive large numbers of reports of influenza, including severe cases (less than 65 years of age who were hospitalized in intensive care or who died), and outbreaks. Circulating viruses are mainly influenza A H3N2 which has been associated with increased hospitalizations and lower vaccine effectiveness in past seasons.
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