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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: OC Health Care

OC Health Care Agency reports the season’s first influenza case

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OC Health Care Agency Reports Season’s First Influenza Case

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed our county’s first case of influenza, signaling that flu season is officially here and serving as a reminder that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated.

Influenza is a seasonal contagious respiratory illness which can be caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu illness can be severe, leading to missed school or work, hospitalization and even death. Continue reading→

Orange County drug and alcohol overdose deaths are on the rise

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Orange County Drug and Alcohol Overdose Deaths on the Rise

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) released the “Drug and Alcohol Morbidity and Mortality in Orange County” report that provides a summary of the leading causes of substance-related overdoses in Orange County. Compiled in collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner division, the report found that the overall rate of drug/alcohol overdose deaths in the county increased by 82% since 2000.

Key findings include: Continue reading→

The season’s first O.C. influenza case has been reported – time to get your flu shot

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Flu Shots

For Immediate Release: October 18, 2016

Contact: HCA Communications, Media Line: (714) 834-2178, Email: HCAComm@ochca.com

Orange County Reports Season’s First Influenza Case

Free Flu Vaccinations Every Thursday

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed our county’s first confirmed case of influenza signaling that flu season is officially here. Influenza is a seasonal contagious respiratory illness which can be caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu illness can be severe, leading to missed school or work, hospitalization and even death. Continue reading→

Drop off your unwanted prescriptions at the SAPD’s Westend office on 10/22

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For Immediate Release: October 12, 2016

Contact: HCA Communications, Media Line: (714) 834-2178, Email: HCAComm@ochca.com

Drop-Off Unwanted Prescriptions at More Than 30 OC Locations on ‘National Take Back Day’

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Health Care Agency encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” occurring Saturday, October 22 at more than 30 locations throughout Orange County.

“I encourage people to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in expired, unused or unwanted prescription medication because one of the main sources of drug misuse in individuals over the age of 12 is prescription pain medication they’ve taken from a friend or family member,” said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “The opioid epidemic is nationwide and it’s important we address it through participating in events like ‘National Take Back Day.’” Continue reading→

Increase in Meningococcal Disease in So. Cal.’s men who have sex with other men

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For Immediate Release: July 25, 2016

Contact: Jessica Good, Public Information Officer, (714) 834-2178, JGood@ochca.com

Increase in Meningococcal Disease in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southern California

(Santa Ana, CA) – The California Department of Public Health is reporting an increase of meningococcal disease in Southern California, particularly in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. A cluster of cases in the last several months has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM).

Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which are transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets, during face-to-face or prolonged contact, or by sharing utensils, drinks or cigarettes. It is a serious infection that can cause meningitis (brain infection) and/or bacteremia (blood infection), and can lead to death. To date, Orange County has had four cases that are part of the cluster in Southern California; three of these cases have occurred since June 1, including one death. On average, Orange County has only five meningococcal cases each year. Continue reading→

High temperatures bring risk of heat-related illnesses

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Beat the Heat

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2015

Contact: Deanne Thompson dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

High Temperatures Bring Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses

(Santa Ana) – Temperatures in many inland Orange County communities are expected to reach high temperatures around 100 degrees this week, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat.

“During extremely hot weather it is important to check on those who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool”, said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “The people at highest risk during extreme heat include seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.” Continue reading→

Orange County reports the first human West Nile Virus case of 2015

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West Nile Virus

For Immediate Release: August 7, 2015

Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

ORANGE COUNTY REPORTS FIRST HUMAN WEST NILE VIRUS CASE OF 2015

(Santa Ana) – A 51 year-old resident of the city of Orange tested positive this week for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the County’s first human WNV infection in 2015. This is the 19th human case of WNV reported in California this year. The man experienced symptoms during the third week of July and has completely recovered.

In 2014, Orange County reported the highest number of human infections of West Nile virus in the nation with 280, including nine deaths. OCMVCD uses more than 10 years of sampling data collected during routine monitoring and testing of mosquitoes, dead birds, and human infections to determine areas of greater risk throughout the county. Continue reading→

You can look up OC restaurant health records on your smart phone now

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OC Restaurant Food Safety App

NEW ‘OC FOOD INSPECTIONS’ APPLICATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO RESTAURANT INFORMATION ON MOBILE PHONES

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency Environmental Health Food Program has introduced the OC Food Inspections application. Available for Android and iPhone, this easy to use application gives the public instant access to food safety and sanitation information for Orange County’s restaurants and markets.

“We are very pleased to offer this improved level of transparency,” said Mark Refowitz, Health Care Agency Director. “While restaurant inspection information has always been available on our ocfoodinfo.com web site, the OC Food Inspections app puts all of the available information for a restaurant or market right in the palm of your hand.” Continue reading→

The poor health record at the 4th Street Market is why we still need restaurant letter health grades

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Health and Medical, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana 19 Comments
Bloody burger at The Playground in DTSA

Bloody burger at The Playground in DTSA

Supervisors voted 4-1 this week against putting letter grades on restaurant windows, a method of alerting potential customers about the outcome of health inspections used in most of the Counties in Southern California, according to the O.C. Register.

Do we need letter health grades on our restaurants? Well just look at the recent health inspections of the hipster restaurants in Downtown Santa Ana, which just last night celebrated their latest “Savor” food tasting event (let’s hope no one got sick):

The Playground is supposed to be one of Orange County’s top restaurants. They have 4.5 stars on Yelp and charge $35 for a pork chop.  They are owned by former fast food truck operator Jason Quinn, who parlayed a TV appearance into a food empire. But look what happened when the Orange County Health Care Agency visited them on February 4, 2015: Continue reading→

There was a synthetic drug in Cholula’s Bakery’s Rosca de Reyes bread

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Nasty Rosca de Reyes Bread

Santa Ana Police Department
For Immediate Release: January 9, 2015
Contacts: nstanfield@ochca.com, (714) 834-2178; abertagna@santa-ana.org, (714) 245-8029

Advisory: Foodborne Illness Investigation at Cholula’s Bakery

(Santa Ana) – One January 6, 2015 the Orange County Health Care Agency closed Cholula’s Bakery in Santa Ana and began a foodborne illness investigation after receiving several reports of illness related to eating Rosca de Reyes Bread distributed by the bakery on January 5 and 6, 2015.

Based on preliminary laboratory results from product samples that indicated the presence of a synthetic drug in the bread, the investigation will be handed back to the Santa Ana Police Department for criminal investigation. Confirmatory laboratory results are expected in one to two weeks. Persons who believe they have consumed the tainted bread are encouraged to contact the Santa Ana Police Crimes Against Persons Unit at (714) 245-8390. Continue reading→

Firearm-related injury and death in Orange County

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OC Health Care Agency Press Release

Orange County Health Care Agency

Firearm-Related Injury and Death in Orange County

(Santa Ana) – A new study by the Orange County Health Care Agency examines the prevalence and circumstances around firearm-related incidents in Orange County between 2009 and 2011. During this period, there were 1,292 firearm-related incidents resulting in the death of 439 persons and non-fatal injuries to 853 residents.

Lethal firearm incidents were most often associated with suicides (63%, n=278) and homicides (32%, n=142). Less severe injuries were typically the result of accidental discharges of firearms. Though the overall personal and economic losses associated with these incidents are difficult to measure, the costs associated with hospitalization averaged $16 million per year. Continue reading→

Five confirmed measles cases in Orange County

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Kid with measles

Potential Public Exposure to Measles
Five Confirmed Measles Cases in Orange County

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed five cases of measles in Orange County in the last nine weeks, which is consistent with an increase seen throughout California. These cases raise the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles. The most recent case spent time in public locations in Orange County while contagious.

Staff at the Health Care Agency has been working with these locations to contact people who may have had a prolonged exposure to this case. The risk of developing infection after brief encounters with persons with measles is low, but as a precaution, people who were in the below locations around the same time as the individual with measles should: Continue reading→