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The West Nile Virus Human Case Count Rises
to Eleven in San Diego County
.......The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports one confirmed non-locally-acquired human case of West Nile virus (WNV).
A 70-year-old Carlsbad woman was diagnosed with encephalitis; she was hospitalized, has been discharged and is improving. The woman apparently contracted WNV while in the Los Angeles area. The public is urged to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against WNV.
.......“One year ago today, we reported our first human case of WNV in 2007,” said Dean Sidelinger M.D., M.S. Ed., Deputy County Public Health Officer. “The disease has gotten an early start and we have many weeks of warm weather – and mosquito activity – ahead. We urge the public to take steps to protect against WNV.”
.......The year-to-date human case count is now 11, including this new case. In all of 2007, 15 people tested positive for locally-acquired WNV. more
Three Whooping Cough Cases Reported to County
.....Vaccines Urged for Children and Adults. The County of San Diego Health and Human  Services Agency (HHSA) has confirmed two cases of pertussis or whooping cough, a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing. The children had not been immunized against the disease, possibly exposing children and adults at two camps in San Diego County.
“It extremely important for parents to ensure that they and their children are protected against vaccine preventable diseases,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “Whooping cough is a concern because it can be passed to infants, who are at highest risk of complications and too young to be fully vaccinated with pertussis vaccine.”
.....The third case is a 14-year-old student at Poway High School has whooping cough (pertussis), a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing. The student had not been immunized against the disease.
.....“It’s extremely important for parents to ensure that they and their children are protected against vaccine preventable diseases including whooping cough,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County Public Health Officer. “Whooping cough can lead to complications in infants. .....Teenagers and adults should have the Tdap booster, which can prevent whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, as immunity to whooping cough can diminish over time.”
Poway High School is working closely with HHSA and has notified parents through letters and e-mails about the possibility of exposure to whooping cough.
.....Named for the "whoop" sound victims may make during or after a severe coughing spell, whooping cough usually starts with flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and a mild cough. Symptoms can last up to two weeks and may be followed by severe coughing fits and vomiting. Whooping cough can occur at any age, but infants and young children are at highest risk of life threatening complications, such as pneumonia, brain damage, and death. Individuals with symptoms of whooping cough should call their health care provider.
.....The incubation period is commonly 7–10 days, with a range of 4–21 days. It is recommended that children get five doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at 2 mo., 4 mo., 6 mo., 15-18 mo., and 4-6 years of age. It is also recommended that people 11- 64 years of age receive a single dose of Tdap, given in place of a “tetanus booster” (Td).
.....In 2007, there were 50 cases of whooping cough reported in the county. There have been 29 cases of whooping cough in San Diego County to date this year, including this case. For more information about whooping cough, please call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (619) 692-8661, or visit the Web site at www.sdiz.org.
Bicyclist with chronic lung disease is spurring us all to do more to fight lung disease
.......Embarcadero Marina Park South on San Diego's waterfront was a nice place to meet Mark Junge this morning. He's the bicyclist with chronic lung disease, a smart and plain-talking guy with bright brown eyes who laughs about two hip replacements and plenty of other medical challenges, not the least of which is his need for oxygen. Lucky for Mark, there's the SeQual Technologies "Eclipse" oxygen concentrator. It's a portable battery-powered unit that strips the nitrogen out of the ambient air and feeds the resulting almost-pure oxygen straight to the canula that Mark wears while biking...more
Alcohol and Drug Screenings at Hospital Help Reduce Sustance Abuse
.....Officials from the County of San Diego and the County’s Health and Human Services  Agency (HHSA) announced today that voluntary alcohol and drug screenings at local hospitals and healthcare centers are helping reduce substance abuse in the region.
....“This is a cutting-edge program that is helping reduce the economic and health impact of substance use in our communities. Today, I am happy to announce some very impressive results,” said County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob during a news conference outside of the County Administration Center. She was joined by Nick Macchione, Director of HHSA; Dr. Shane Hamman, Chief Resident, UCSD Department of Emergency Medicine; health educators and other healthcare representatives...more
One Additional Human West Nile Virus Case Reported
.....Case Count Rises to Four; County Continues Surveillance.The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports one more confirmed locally-acquired human case of West Nile virus (WNV). The additional case brings the year to date total cases to four.
.....A 52-year-old East San Diego man was hospitalized with meningitis after developing symptoms consistent with WNV infection. The other three cases include a 24-year-old San Diego man, a 38-year-old Carlsbad woman and a 58-year-old Del Mar woman.
“West Nile virus knows no boundaries,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S. Ed., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “People can catch it in any part of the county. We urge the public to take the appropriate precautions to protect against contracting WNV.” In...more
County Helps Low-income Families Open Bank Accounts
.....The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has received a $25,000 grant from the state to strengthen a program that connects low-income families to affordable banking at local financial institutions. The grant money will be used to follow up with families to help them manage the accounts successfully.
.....“This grant will help us remove obstacles that keep families from achieving self-sufficiency,” said Chairman Greg Cox of the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors. “We want to help low-income families make good use of their income, especially in these difficult economic times.”
.....The goal is to provide new bank accounts for 362 low-income, working families in San Diego County by June 30, 2009. Qualifying participants must have an annual income at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level (about $20,600 for a family of four) and/or receive CalWORKs, federal Supplemental Security Income or other public assistance programs.
....“Lack of knowledge and access to traditional banking institutions are major factors that keep working families from reaching economic independence,” said Nick Macchione, Director of HHSA. “This grant will help low-income families save some of their hard-earned dollars by banking at mainstream institutions, which tend to charge less for their services.”
HHSA was one of 17 agencies in California to receive a share of the $425,000 Asset Building grants from the California Department of Community Services and Development.
California is Nation-Leading Promoting Health and Nutrition
.....Schwarzenegger Signs Trans Fat Bill. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes big step  toward creating a healthier future for California signed a legislation to prohibit restaurants from preparing food with trans fats, which clog arteries and raise the risk of heart disease.
....."California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans fats," said Schwarzenegger.
"Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California," he added.
.....The American Heart Association applauds Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signing of AB 97 into law and the Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s who bold action in authoring a bill that makes California the first state in the nation to ban trans fats in restaurants and who refered the bill's signing "A call to action". This trans-free law, will impact the health of all Californians, reducing healthcare costs and saving lives...more
Beat the Heat visiting a “Cool Zone”
...The Cool Zones program has begun with the start of summer. Having air-conditioned  settings where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat reduces individual energy costs and protects their health. Supervisor Dianne Jacob is the creator of the Cool Zone program. Aging &  Independence Services partners with SDG&E to coordinate the Cool Zones, which are sites where older adults and others can go during hot summer days to avoid being affected by the heat. Cool Zone sites include libraries, senior centers, malls, and more. Cool Zones are also great places to meet people.The program also provides free electric fans to homebound, low-income seniors. The program is always interested in adding more Cool Zone sites. For more information, call (800) 510-2020....more
DA Charges San Diego Police Officer in Connection With Death of Police Dog
.....San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis said today her office is filing a charge against a San Diego Police Officer who left a police dog in the back of his patrol car, leading to the dog’s death from heatstroke. Officer Paul Hubka is charged with one misdemeanor count of leaving a dog in a closed car in a high temperature, causing death.
....“I understand and share the strong emotional reaction to Forrest’s death, however, it’s the only appropriate charge for these facts,” District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis said. “The law requires the District Attorney’s Office to step back from the emotion and follow the law.”
An investigation by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services found that Officer Hubka left a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Forrest in his police cruiser with the windows rolled up. The incident ....more
Fourth Ground Squirrel Tests Positive for Plague
...Blood samples collected from another ground squirrel at the Doane Valley Campground on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for plague, County Vector Control officials announced today.
.....“This is the fourth squirrel that has tested positive for plague in this park this year. Campers should avoid contact with squirrels and their fleas,” said Gary Erbeck, Director of the Department of Environmental Health.
.....“You should not put your tents near squirrel burrows, do not feed the squirrels and warn your children not to play with the squirrels.”
Plague is a bacterial disease....more
District Attorney Investigator Injured During Surveillance Operation
.....A San Diego County District Attorney Investigator (DAI) was injured today during an operation being conducted by the Fugitive Task Force in the East County. The DAI accidentally discharged her weapon, causing a non-life threatening injury to her leg. The investigator was taken to the hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported. The incident is being investigated through the District Attorney’s Internal Affairs. No further details are available.
.....The DA’s Bureau of Investigation is comprised of approximately 170 personnel, including 130 District Attorney Investigators. Their law enforcement authority comes from the same section of the penal code, 830.1, as a deputy sheriff or city police officer. DAI’s have completed the basic POST academy and are required to meet the ongoing training requirements set forth by POST....more |
