Advisories and Newsletters Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Source: https://phil.cdc.gov//PHIL_Images/201/201_lores.jpg Acinetobacter is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. There are many species of Acinetobacter that can cause human infections. However, Acinetobacter infections rarely occur outside of healthcare settings. Acinetobacter infections are NOT reportable in Orange County, unless associated with an outbreak. Outbreaks should...
What is avian influenza? Three subtypes of avian influenza A viruses are known to infect people: H5, H7 and H9 viruses. Among these, Asian-lineage H5N1 and H7N9 have caused the majority of human infections. Asian highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus occurs mainly in birds and is quickly...
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, and causes sudden onset of weakness in limbs (one or more arms or legs) and loss of muscle tone. Other symptoms may include facial weakness, droopy eyelids, difficulty moving eyes, swallowing...
Photo Source: https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=7824 Staphylococcus aureus (“Staph”; S. aureus ) is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Staph can also be found in the armpit, groin, rectum or genital area, where it also can live without causing infection. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, or MRSA...
Hands are the most common mode of transmission of disease causing agents. By washing your hands, you can prevent the spread of many infectious diseases and lower your risk of getting, or passing along, influenza. Wash hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is...
Pertussis Orange County and California have seen a large increase in pertussis cases in 2014. Orange County has had twice as many reports of pertussis so far this year compared to the same time period in 2013. Pertussis is highly contagious and is spread through the respiratory route. Pertussis illness...
Plan ahead for travel outside the United States. Vaccines generally take at least 2 weeks to 1 month to become effective. Learn about potential health risks and how to prevent exposure to illness before you leave. Food When traveling to less developed areas of the world where hygiene and sanitation...
After a young person has experienced a psychiatric hospitalization, the Social Rehabilitation Program (SRP) of South Coast Children’s Society can help young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) to establish daily living routines. The program usually lasts for two to four months, and works closely with the full service partnership...
Physicians/Health Care Providers California, including Orange County, experienced a large increase in pertussis cases in 2010, with numbers in 2011 still being elevated when compared to previous years. Rates are highest in infants less than 6 months of age and 10 infant deaths were reported in California in 2010. Pertussis...