News

SACRAMENTO – With summer fast approaching, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith reminds Californians to avoid mosquito bites during travel to Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

There have been increased reports of mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika, chikungunya, and dengue, in those locations. Dr. Smith also reminded pregnant women to consider postponing travel to destinations affected by Zika virus.

“Summer vacation should be about having fun, not recovering from serious illnesses acquired from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Smith. “Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself while traveling outside of California is to pack insect repellent containing DEET. The mosquitoes that transmit Zika, chikungunya and dengue are aggressive and bite during the day, so it’s important to use that repellent and to wear protective clothing whenever you go outside or spend time in buildings with open windows and no screens.”

Zika is a viral disease that typically causes fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

While most people infected with Zika virus will not develop symptoms, Zika virus infection has been tied to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.

Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should be especially careful because Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other brain defects.

Although primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, Zika virus is also found in semen of infected men and can be transmitted to sexual partners.

Since the emergence of Zika in Brazil last year, the virus has spread rapidly throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Chikungunya and dengue transmission have also been prevalent throughout Latin American countries in recent years, including several Mexican states, many of which are popular tourist destinations.

Chikungunya is a viral disease characterized by acute onset of fever and severe joint pain. Dengue, another viral disease, is characterized by high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and internal bleeding in severe cases. Chikungunya and dengue are not contagious from person to person – only from mosquito to person.

There is no vaccine against chikungunya, dengue or Zika. Treatments for the diseases include supportive care, rest, fluids and fever relief.

If you have returned from an affected region and have a fever, joint pain or rash within two weeks following your return, contact your medical provider and tell them where you have traveled. If your doctor suspects Zika, chikungunya or dengue, protect yourself against mosquito bites for at least two weeks after you recover. This will prevent the virus from spreading to mosquitoes, which might then infect others.

People who are traveling to areas known to have Zika virus, dengue or chikungunya should take these steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

– Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol for long-lasting protection. If you use sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should choose an EPA-registered insect repellent and use it according to the product label.
– Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
– Use air conditioning or window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes indoors, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
– Help reduce the number of mosquitoes outside by emptying standing water from containers, such as flowerpots and buckets.

For more information on Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the CDPH Zika virus information Web page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Zika.aspx .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The 40-9ers Ladies Golf Club played a nine-hole scramble on May 19.

There was a three-way tie for first place, with net 25.4: Joy Ryan, Liz Cummesky and Toni Stratton; Nancy Erickson, Kit Hoss and Elaine Fauser; and Adele Curtin, Julia Yamashita and Floydean Greenlow.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join the Taylor Observatory on Saturday, May 28, for its monthly “Window to the Universe” lecture and planetarium show.

Join Dr. David Velasquez for “A New Look at Jupiter,” which takes place at the observatory, located on 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville, from 7:15 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

Jupiter has always held a prominent place in the solar system, from ancient times to the present.

Beginning with Galileo’s early telescopic observations of Jupiter’s moons, the planet has gradually revealed its secrets.

In the past few years, with the Kepler telescope’s discovery of numerous exoplanets and planetary systems orbiting distant stars, our former theories of the formation of our solar system are being questioned.

With the scheduled arrival of NASA’s Juno probe in July, and its year-long investigation of the detailed structure of the planet, NASA scientists hope to gain a better understanding not only of the dynamics of the planet, but also of how Jupiter has influenced the current configuration of the solar system.

Sponsored by the Friends of Taylor, the event includes planetarium shows at 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., the lecture at 8 p.m. and telescope viewing – weather permitting – from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults, Lake County K-12 students are admitted free.

For more information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or www.friendsoftaylor.org , or call Friends of Taylor Observatory President Bill Haddon at 415-209-3084.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s annual Memorial Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 28.

The theme of this year's event is “Lake County Strong,” and will once again honor members of the Armed Forces.

The parade is expected to last about 45 minutes.

The route will extend from the Lake County Fairgrounds on Martin Street to Main Street, traveling north to Clear Lake Avenue, with the judges' stand in front of the Courthouse Museum between Second and Third Streets.

The Lakeport Police Department has issued a traffic advisory for the parade.

The agency reported that from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Main Street between S. Main and C streets, N. Main to Clearlake Avenue, and Martin Street east to the the Lake County Fairgrounds and S. Main Street will be closed to traffic for the parade.

Motorists are advised to use caution when driving in this area and find alternate routes when possible.

Lakeport Police and Public Works staff will be on site to conduct traffic controls and provide for public safety.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire is increasing its firefighting staffing as windy conditions are predicted to elevate fire danger across many areas of California.

With many Californians planning to recreate outdoors for the Memorial Day weekend, Cal Fire is asking the public to take steps to prevent sparking a new wildfire.

According to the National Weather Service many parts of California will see warm weather this weekend and winds through Saturday with gusts of 20 to 30 mph. There is even a risk of lightning across the higher elevations in the Sierra.

“Over the past several weeks we have experienced an increase in the number of wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “This weekend’s weather conditions will elevate our fire risk even higher, so we need everyone’s assistance ensuring they don’t spark a new wildfire.”

Since Jan. 1, Cal Fire has responded to more than 1,100 wildfires that have burned over 10,000 acres. Last week alone fire crews responded to 169 new wildfires that charred approximately 4,000 acres.

In the midst of this severe drought, Californians are encouraged to be vigilant and remember that “One less spark means one less wildfire.”

Camping:

· Obtain a campfire permit ( www.PreventWildfireCA.org );

· Check for local fire restrictions;

· Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire;

· Have a responsible person in attendance at all times;

· Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving;

· When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended.

Vehicle:

· Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with nothing dragging on the ground.

· When towing, make sure trailer chains are properly secured.

· Never drive or pull over into dry grass.

Fire is not the only danger that can occur in the outdoors, as water drownings also increase dramatically during this holiday weekend. 

Warm temperatures make the cool waters of California’s beautiful rivers and lakes very enticing, yet very dangerous.

In the water:

– Always wear a life jacket!
– Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
– Never swim alone.
– Be cautious of rivers and waterways with rapid currents.
– Drinking and swimming can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.

For more ways to be safe this holiday, visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California agencies combatting the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels remind boaters to remain cautious over Memorial Day weekend.

Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels native to Eurasia. They multiply quickly, encrust watercraft and infrastructure, alter water quality and the aquatic food web, and ultimately impact native and sport fish communities.

These mussels spread from one body of water to another by attaching to watercraft, equipment and nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody.

Microscopic juveniles, invisible to the naked eye, are spread from infested waterbodies in water entrapped in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets.

Quagga mussels have infested 29 reservoirs in Southern California and zebra mussels have infested San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County.

To prevent the spread of these mussels and other aquatic invasive species, people launching vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections and are strongly encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating.

“Recreational water users play a crucial role in preventing new mussel infestations,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Their awareness, diligence and good stewardship helps to maintain both the ecological and recreational values of our waters.”

To ensure watercraft are clean, drained and dry, many local agencies conduct boat inspections. The CDFW Web site provides a list of these inspection programs ( www.wildlife.ca.gov/mussels ), along with additional information about the invasive mussels and what people can do to help prevent their spread in California.

Prior to traveling, boaters should contact destination waterbodies directly to check for restrictions and requirements.

Take the following steps both before traveling to and before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive mussels, improve your inspection experience and safeguard California waterways:

– CLEAN: Inspect exposed surfaces and remove all plants and organisms;
– DRAIN: All water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and;
– DRY: Allow the watercraft to thoroughly dry between launches. Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather.

CDFW has developed a brief video demonstrating the ease of implementing the clean, drain and dry prevention method, which can be viewed above.

In addition, a detailed guide to cleaning vessels of invasive mussels is available on the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways at http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/PDF/CleanGreen/Boating-QuaggaGuide.pdf .

Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Border Protection Stations.

Over the past nine years, more than one million watercraft entering California have been inspected at the Border Protection Stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by CDFW and California State Parks, include a check of boats and personal watercraft, as well as trailers and all onboard items.

Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to decontamination, rejection, quarantine or impoundment.

Quagga and zebra mussels can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:

– Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat;
– Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk;
– Require frequent scraping and repainting of boat hulls;
– Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning;
– Impose large expenses to owners.

A multi-agency effort that includes CDFW, DBW, CDFA and the California Department of Water Resources has been leading an outreach campaign to alert the public to the quagga and zebra mussel threats.

A toll-free hotline, 866-440-9530, is available for those seeking information on quagga or zebra mussels.