Influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease have been increasing in Orange County for the last several weeks. Compared to pre-pandemic epidemiology this is an early start to the season for both these respiratory viruses. Australia’s influenza season often provides a harbinger for our upcoming season; their recently-concluded season...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15, has been designated National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). Since 2003, this designation has been to promote the testing and early diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in response to the impact of HIV and acquired...

(Santa Ana, CA) – New COVID-19 (bivalent) boosters for children ages 5 and older are now authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The updated COVID-19 vaccines are Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and Moderna...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has received confirmation that six birds have tested positive for Avian Influenza A (H5N1), also known as Bird Flu, in Orange County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recommends that hunters take precaution to limit the possibility of...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications on “National Take Back Day” Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous locations throughout Orange County (OC). “This is a great opportunity for individuals to...

Avian influenza A(H5N1) has been identified in United States wild birds, commercial poultry, and backyard flocks since January 2022. Recently, the first confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection were identified in wild birds in Orange County .

(Santa Ana, CA) – Due to record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits for respiratory infections, the County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Medical Directors are strongly encouraging Orange County residents to follow disease preventive measures. “Orange County is seeing very high numbers respiratory...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The County Health Officer today issued a Declaration of Health Emergency in Orange County due to rapidly spreading virus infections causing record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits. Additionally, a Proclamation of Local Emergency has been declared, which allows the County to access...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Advisory (HAN) linked here about a number of outbreaks of nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) among children who received pulpotomies in dental clinics where dental treatment water contained high levels of bacteria. Referenced in the HAN is one such outbreak that...

(Santa Ana, CA) - County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong and CHOC Dr. Jasjit Singh and Dr. Melanie Patterson provided information on the high volume of respiratory infection cases affecting children and seniors in Orange County. You can watch here: https://youtu.be/sLI3kcCjzmQ