Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is recognizing state and local agencies of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (more commonly known as WIC) that excel in offering education and support for breastfeeding mothers.

"As National Breastfeeding Month kicks off in August, California should be proud of its efforts to lead the nation in progressive laws that protect a mother’s right to breastfeed her baby,” said California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 2-8, 2015, National Farmers Market Week, noting that the country's more than 8,400 farmers markets play an important role in sustaining family farms and revitalizing rural communities.

"Farmers Markets benefit communities by offering healthy, wholesome food while local farmers and ranchers benefit from new ways to present their products to customers," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in Washington, DC.

SAN DIEGO- August is National Immunization Awareness Month and a reminder to all of us to make sure we have the shots we need, to protect us against diseases like measles, whooping cough and flu.Talk to your doctor to find out what shots you and your family need and when to get them. Babies need shots to protect against 14 diseases like measles and whooping cough by age two years. Older kids also need vaccine protection from diseases, and some shots are required before child care and school entry. For more information about immunizations and the diseases they prevent, please visit the County Immunization Program website at www.sdiz.org

SAN DIEGO- Veterans, Military and Families Benefits Expo 268-4432. WHEN- Monday August 3, 2015- TIME-9 a.m. to 1 p.m.- WHERE- will be held at the War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., Balboa Park.-INFO- RSVP: (858) 268-4432

.............California Public Health Urges Prenatal Immunization to Combat Pertussis Risk

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned parents about the continued dangers of pertussis (whooping cough). The disease has already caused one infant death and at least 126 infant hospitalizations in California this year.

“Vaccinated mothers pass protective antibodies to their infants during pregnancy,” said Dr. Smith. “Right now, it’s estimated that fewer than half of all pregnant women in California are vaccinated against whooping cough. We need to increase that number to help improve the health of our children and of our comunities.

SAN DIEGO- Transportation will be the topic of a workshop by Judi Bonilla- WHEN-Tuesday August 4,2015- TIME- 1 p.m to 2 p.m.- WHERE- will be held at the War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., Balboa Park.INFO- RSVP: (760) 796-6020

For the first time ever, the U-S Forest Service is spending more than half its budget to suppress wildfires. And a new report says in ten years the Forest Service will be spending over two-thirds of its budget to battle wildfires.

Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary: We’re not in a position to do the restoration and resiliency work that’s important and necessary, not just to keep our forests healthy, but also to reduce the risk of these intense, enormous fires that we are now fighting.

U-S-D-A wants the public to help save trees. August is Tree Check Month and U-S-D-A’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is urging people to check for signs of the invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle.Signs of infestation include dime-sized exit holes in tree trunks, oval or round scars in the bark, sawdust material on the ground and dead branches.  Call one-eight-six-six-seven-oh-two-nine-nine-three-eight to report damage or go to Asian longhorned beetle dot com.

Summer Festival Under the Stars Concert

Come to the famous La Jolla Cove and join SummerFest Music Director 
Cho-Liang Lin for a free concert to kick off the festival.

Bring your picnic and enjoy this wonderful, family-friendly SummerFest tradition featuring a stunning ocean backdrop! WHEN- August 5, 2015 -TIME- @ 7:00 pm -WHERE- Ellen Browning Scripps Park La Jolla Cove San Diego,CA 92037 INFO

Harvest Mouse Tests Positive for Hantavirus

A wild harvest mouse caught in routine monitoring has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, San Diego County environmental health officials said.The mouse was trapped near Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad.
“People have very little chance of being exposed to hantavirus if they keep wild rodents out of their homes and workplaces,” said Environmental Health Director Elizabeth Pozzebon. “If you do find rodents inside your home, never sweep or vacuum up rodent droppings. Use ‘wet cleaning’ methods instead if you have to clean an infestation.”
For more information, contact the County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) at (858) 694-2888 or visit the DEH hantavirus Web page.

Supervisor Greg Cox reading to kids at San Ysidro Maternal Health Center to celebrate National Community Health Centers Week.

August 9-15. National Health Center Week 2015

It is important that we deliver a strong message for America’s Health Centers. There are 44 million uninsured people in this nation and another 56 million who, although they may have health insurance, live in areas without doctors and basic health services.

We need to raise awareness of the needs that exist in our communities and the high costs of failure to provide primary care and preventive health. More people need to understand that ours is a tested and accountable model of health care has produced the markers to expanding access and providing the cost effective care that can improve health delivery. National Health Center Week is your chance to speak out for your health center and the people and communities who rely on its services for healthy and productive lives.

.........County Conducts Larvicide Drop as West Nile Virus Season Heats Up

County Department of Environmental Health’s Vector Control program has collected more infected dead birds and batches of mosquitoes with the virus in 2015 than it has in several years.

San Diego County’s environmental health department will conduct its sixth aerial drop of larvicide of the year on wetlands around the county to help keep mosquito populations down and West Nile virus at bay. The County conducts the drops roughly once a month during mosquito season. The larvicide contains a bacterium that doesn’t hurt people and pets, but kills mosquito larvae.

Temperatures around the county are expected to soar this week, and late summer is typically the peak of the West Nile virus season. County officials reminded the public that they can protect themselves by following the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” advice.

County Health Officials Issues Heat Warning

With temperatures expected this week to reach the mid 90s throughout the region, County health officials are warning the public to take precautions to avoid heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
“Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause serious health problems,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun, or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps.”
To avoid heat-related problems, health officials recommend to stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day.
“Cool zones'' are generally public places such as a shopping mall,libraries, senior centers and community centers that provide air-conditioned shelter, and are marked with a Polar Bear Cool Zone logo. A full list of locations is available online at coolzones.org.

San Diego District CPTA • The Ethics of Fall Prevention

This 2 hour course is free for CPTA/APTA members and $20 for non-CPTA/APTA members. The Task Force will use the funds to purchase educational items to spread the word about local fall prevention resources. CPTA/APTA Members: Free Non-CPTA/APTA Members: $20; RSVP now, Pay at the Door. WHEN-Tuesday, 8/18/15-TIME-6:30 - 8:30 (Check-in from 6:00 - 6:30)-WHERE-6250 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009 -INFO-Registration hosted by SD District of CPTA: Find registration, course learning objectives and other details by clicking here: http://www.signupgenius.com

Medfly Quarantine Hits Parts of East County

SAN DIEGO- The California Department of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and the County’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures are working together to eliminate the infestation.

“This invasive fruit fly is considered to be the most harmful agricultural pest in the world,” said County Agriculture Commissioner Ha Dang. “Effective eradication measures help to safeguard the local food supply, fruit export and the environment.”

For more information, call the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899.

XXXXX It is important that we deliver a strong message for America’s Health Centers. There are 44 million uninsured people in this nation and another 56 million who, although they may have health insurance, live in areas without doctors and basic health services.

We need to raise awareness of the needs that exist in our communities and the high costs of failure to provide primary care and preventive health. More people need to understand that ours is a tested and accountable model of health care has produced the markers to expanding access and providing the cost effective care that can improve health delivery. National Health Center Week is your chance to speak out for your health center and the people and communities who rely on its services for healthy and productive lives

National Cheese Toast Day

Cheese toast is a delicious thick slice of bread spread with butter and cheese, then toasted until it is browned and crispy. It was created by Del Johnson of Los Angeles in 1958 when he opened his first Sizzler restaurant. The National Cheese Toast Day was submitted by Sizzler USA in July of 2015. The Registrar at National Day Calendar declared National Cheese Toast Day to be celebrated on September 15.
Health Benefits of Cheese
Cheese contains a host of nutrients like calcium, protein, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B12. Calcium is one of the nutrients most likely to be lacking in the American diet. According to government statistics, nine out of 10 women and six out of 10 men fall short of calcium recommendations. The high-quality protein in cheese provides the body with essential building blocks for strong muscles.
Celebrate by making Cheese Toast. You can add vegetables to add color,fiber and more nutritional value to your sandwich. Take photos and post them on social media using #CheeseToastDay.