public health

New Data Show A Decline In Reported Cases of Valley Fever

Rachel Cook and The Reporting On Health Collaborative — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:53:14 +0000

California’s tally of valley fever cases dropped by more than 1,000 last year and some counties have also seen fewer cases in the early months of 2013.

But public health officials say it’s too early to identify long-term trends in the numbers.

The Face of HIV in California is Among Young People of Color

Pauline Bartolone — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:17:24 +0000

December 1^st is World AIDS Day. Here in California, health officials say the face of the disease is getting younger.

More than 110,000 Californians are currently living with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis, and roughly 14 cases are diagnosed in the state every day.

Dr. Gil Chavez of the California Department of Public Health says he’s seeing more cases among young, gay, minorities.

Plague Found in Animals in California's Mountain Regions

Pauline Bartolone — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:16:05 +0000

California health officials are alerting people to protect themselves from plague after animals in Northern and Southern California tested positive for bacteria that cause the disease.

El Dorado County officials say there may be elevated plague risk in the South Lake Tahoe area after a chipmunk was found positive at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

Dr. Vicki Kramer of the California Department of Public Health says the finding isn’t cause for alarm, but it’s a reminder to take precautions.

CDC: As Many as 10,000 Yosemite Visitors At Risk of Hantavirus

Joe Moore — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:12:47 +0000

The hantavirus outbreak in Yosemite National Park that has sickened six and killed two could grow much larger, according to the Centers For Disease Control.

Fresno County Reports First West Nile Death of 2012

Joe Moore — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:39:26 +0000

An elderly Fresno County woman is dead today after contracting West Nile virus. Her death is the second in California associated with the virus this year. She had been hospitalized prior to her death.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health released a statement today indicating that there have been 26 cases of West Nile virus in humans throughout the state this year. In 2011, the state reported a total of 158 cases with 9 deaths. Fresno County had 9 reported cases of the illness in 2011, with no deaths.

State Hospital Infection Rate Drops, Many Valley Hospitals Above Average

Joe Moore — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 21:58:06 +0000

California hospitals experienced a 10 percent drop in the number of serious infections over the past year, but a number of San Joaquin Valley hospitals are still above the state average, when compared with similar hospitals elsewhere in the state.