Public Health press release re:First Case of Imported Ebola in U.S.

The first case of Ebola in the United States has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] on September 30, 2014.  Based on travel history, it was determined that the person contracted the disease during a visit to Africa. Symptoms did not develop until five days after arriving in the United States. No symptoms were shown during the flight from West Africa. CDC does not recommend that people on the same flight undergo monitoring.  The patient is currently hospitalized and isolated in Dallas, Texas.  Local public health officials have started identifying the close contacts of the person for further daily monitoring for up to 21 days after a possible exposure.  

Healthier Living Workshops for Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Healthier Living Workshops for Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Healthier Living Workshops for Managing Chronic Health Conditions

County Public Health Dept press release re:All Calaveras County Healthcare Workers Must Receive Annual Influenza Vaccine

On August 12, 2014, Calaveras County Public Health Services released an order from Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer, mandating all licensed health care facilities in Calaveras County require their healthcare workers (HCW’s) to receive an annual influenza vaccination, or if they decline, to wear a surgical mask during every influenza season.  Healthcare workers are all of the doctors, nurses, technicians and other support staff working in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other licensed care facilities. 

For those HCW’s who decline to get a seasonal influenza vaccination, they will be required to wear a surgical mask while working in patient care areas for the entire influenza season (defined as November 1^st through March 31^st of the following year). 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops

A new series of six-week workshops is starting in Arnold this month to teach residents with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, arthritis or diabetes, the skills to better manage their conditions.  The workshops are open to any Calaveras County adults with chronic ongoing conditions and their family members or partners. The no-cost workshops are sponsored by Public Health Services.

Pulic Health press release re: Calaveras Public Health & Health Care District Partner for Prevention

Calaveras Public Health Services has announced approval of a $20,000 funding contract from the Mark Twain Health Care District to continue providing Healthier Living Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops. The workshop model was developed by Stanford University to build the skills needed to manage chronic or ongoing health conditions.  The workshop leaders are Community Health Workers trained and certified

to conduct the workshops.  “The strength of our workshops is that we have identified non-medical people from the community who also have chronic conditions and receive training to conduct the workshops,” stated Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras Health Officer.  “They understand the challenges of managing a health problem that is ongoing,”   Kelaita added.

The Valley Springs Monthly Immunization Clinic

Due to low attendance at the Public Health Services’ Valley Springs, Immunization

Clinic, Public Health Services will no longer offer immunizations at the United Methodist

Church at 135 Laurel, Valley Springs, effective July 1, 2014.

Public Health Dept press release re: Tenants Want Protection from Secondhand Smoke Calaveras County and Tuolumne County

Calaveras Public Health Services and Tuolumne County Public Health Department released the results of a new survey showing tenants in multi-unit housing support getting more protections from secondhand smoke where they live.  This survey was conducted by the American Lung Association in California.  Tenants were surveyed by the American Lung Association in California for CA4Health, a project of the Public Health Institute funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The poll included tenants in twelve CA4Health counties: Calaveras, Humboldt, Imperial, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Tulare, and Tuolumne.

Public Health dep press release re: Announcing Public Health Volunteer Opportunity

Calaveras Public Health Services is recruiting residents to be trained as Community Health Workers.  Community Health Workers [CHW] guide adults in learning chronic condition self-management skills.  The Community Health Workers conduct workshops in the areas where they live. “We are looking for adults that have a chronic condition or a partner/family member caring for someone with a chronic condition to become the CHWs,” stated Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.  The participants will learn the Healthier Living model developed by Stanford University.  The strength of the model is that the CHWs are people in the community who also have chronic conditions and have been trained in self-management skills that include physical activity, reducing stress, healthy eating and communication with your doctor.  This is an opportunity for local residents to gain personal skills in managing a chronic condition and support building skills with others.

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Public Health press release re: Warm Temperatures Increase Risk of Vehicle Heat Related Deaths

 San Andreas - Vehicle heat related deaths in California have already claimed two children in 2014.  These deaths are preventable.  Calaveras Public Health Services is issuing this reminder to all residents that provide transportation to children. It does not take a heat wave for the risk of heat illness and death to be present for those who are most vulnerable – children, severely disabled and frail seniors.  Pets are also at risk of heat illness and death if left in a vehicle for even a short period of time.

A child’s body temperature rises 3 – 5 times faster than an adult’s body temperature.  Even with the windows of a vehicle rolled part way down, the inside temperature can reach 125 degrees in just minutes.  What contributes to children being left in a car alone?

Calaveras County Public Health press release re: First Whooping Cough Cases in Calaveras

First Pertussis [Whooping Cough] Cases in Calaveras

Calaveras County – As of March 2014 there were 495 confirmed pertussis cases in California.  Calaveras Public Health Services has received notification of two confirmed pertussis cases in the County.  Both cases are school-aged residents. 

Pertussis is a disease of the lungs and throat caused by bacteria.  Pertussis starts like a cold with a runny nose and cough that gets worse. The cough usually lasts more than two weeks. The cough occurs in spasms that may cause a “whoop” sound when the person tries to catch their breath.  It can be so severe that a person will vomit afterwards. Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine.

 

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Public Health Dept press release re: Tobacco Industry Continues to Market to Kids

SAN ANDREAS CA– New data released today shows that Calaveras County has more stores that sell candy, mint and liquor flavored tobacco products compared to similar counties and cities in the state.  The survey was conducted statewide from July through October 2013 at 7,300 retail stores. The survey also collected data about the availability of unhealthy food items and alcohol sold in convenience, supermarket, liquor, tobacco, small market, discount, drug and big-box stores.  Calaveras County findings from the stores surveyed include:

·         Over 83% sell the most popular brand of flavored cigarillos or little cigars

·         52% have unhealthy exterior advertising while only 9% have healthy exterior advertising

·         Alcopops or flavored alcoholic beverages are available in 100% of stores

·         Alcohol ads are placed three feet and below or near candy and toys at 74% of stores

This is the first time in California that 58 counties surveyed tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food items together.  The results give us a picture of the challenges adults and youth face when shopping locally.

“While adult smoking rates in Calaveras County have dropped to 18.2%, we remain well above the state rate of 13.8%,” stated Dr. Kelaita, County Health Officer, “The tobacco industry continues to find new ways and new products to lure in our youth to try tobacco products,” Kelaita added. 

Public Health Dept press release re: Measles Cases Increasing in CA

SAN ANDREAS - The California Department of Public Health has reported a sharp increase in measles cases in the state.  Fifteen cases of measles have been confirmed so far this year.  Last year at the same time only two cases had been reported.

“No measles cases have been reported at this time in Calaveras County,” stated Dr. Kelaita, County Health Officer.  “Measles is a very contagious viral disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.”  A measles outbreak is occurring in the Philippines. Many other parts of the world are experiencing cases.  Since 2000, almost all measles cases in the United States have been linked to world travel in areas where measles is present.  Travelers that are not vaccinated can bring it back to our country if they are not vaccinated prior to travel.

The vaccination rate for school children in Calaveras is below that of the state.  “That means that we have a large group of children who are susceptible to measles,” continued Dr. Kelaita.  Infants less than 12 months of age are too young to receive the vaccine.  Infants, pregnant women and immune compromised persons are at more risk of severe complications from measles. Two doses of MMR [Measles, Mumps Rubella] vaccine are needed by children before entering kindergarten.  Unvaccinated children and adults who have not already had the disease increase the risk of spreading the disease in the community.

Calaveras Public Health press release re:Two Confirmed Flu Deaths of Calaveras County Residents

SAN ANDREAS – Calaveras Public Health Services has received confirmation of two influenza-related deaths of Calaveras County residents this flu season.  “The residents were both under 65 years of age and were reported to the Department today,” stated Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.  “Both residents had been hospitalized out of county.” “One of the deaths was confirmed as the H1N1 flu strain,” continued Dr. Kelaita.  

Flu deaths continue to increase in California.  The current number of confirmed flu related deaths in the state is 202 cases, four of which were pediatric cases.  Other cases are under investigation pending test results to confirm a link to flu.  This is double the number of state flu related deaths during the entire flu season last year. These are the first deaths in Calaveras County residents to be reported so far this season.

Public Health press release re: Chronic Disease Self - Management Workshops Starting in Calaveras County

Chronic Disease Self - Management Workshops

Starting in Calaveras County

A new series of six-week workshops is starting this month to teach residents with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, arthritis or diabetes, the skills to better manage their conditions.  The workshops are open to any Calaveras County adults with chronic ongoing conditions and their family members or partners. The no- cost workshops are sponsored by Public Health Services.   “This is an opportunity for people to gain skills and confidence in managing their chronic condition,” Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer said in announcing the workshops.