With the arrival of back-to-school season, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges parents and guardians to ensure their children are current on vaccines. Immunizations protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

“Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious diseases,” said Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “If you haven’t done so already, check with your child’s doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs. Vaccinations are the best way to ensure that students are protected against serious and preventable diseases, including measles.”

When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for contracting diseases and can also spread diseases to other people, including students in their classrooms and both children and adults within their communities. Babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions are especially susceptible.

California law requires students to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as licensed child care centers. Schools and licensed child care centers are required to enforce immunization requirements, maintain immunization records of all children enrolled, and report student immunization status to CDPH.

Talk to your child’s doctor to find out which vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school.

Visit www.ShotsforSchool.org for more information on immunization laws and required vaccinations.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the purchase, acquisition and deployment of body worn cameras in Sheriff jurisdictions, including the contract cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Ojai.

The Sheriff’s Office began researching body worn camera and storage systems in June 2014. It was a lengthy process; however, body cameras and data storage are costly and the department wanted to invest in the most cost effective option available that would provide the best quality product and meet our needs for data storage.

During the month of July 2016, the Sheriff’s Office began training deputies on the use of the Axon Body – Body Worn Camera manufactured by TASER International. On August 1, 2016, deputies were authorized to begin wearing the cameras while on patrol. The Sheriff’s Office will issue body worn cameras to all personnel working in patrol related assignments, including traffic enforcement and school resource officers.

We live in a world of digital media, and cameras have become commonplace. With the deployment of body worn camera technology in the communities we serve, the Sheriff’s Office looks forward to maintaining an atmosphere of transparency and trust. While the cameras provide an enhanced means of evidence collection, they also provide increased accountability on both sides of the badge.

Prepared by: Cory Rubright, Captain

There was a packed house for the August 9th City Council meeting, and most were there for the issue of whether or not medical marijuana should be banned. The medical marijuana topic would be addressed later on, but not before several other issues were swiftly and efficiently handled by the council.

Police Chief Dave Wareham started off the meeting with a brief presentation about the mid-year crime report for Fillmore. The report detailed the months from January to June, comparing the last three years to the current year. Chief Wareham proudly cited that Fillmore has maintained the low crime rates that made them the 17th safest city in California. Violent crimes have remained low and Wareham believes that is due to the several outreach programs that have benefited Fillmore over the past couple years. Wareham believes that the increase of volunteers has made a lasting impact on the city of Fillmore.

The consent calendar was approved except for the item regarding the seventh amendment to the city manager employment agreement that would extend the city manager’s contract from 2017 to 2019. Councilman Rick Neal believes that there shouldn’t be too many decisions made for the next council, as it takes their voice away. Councilman Manuel Minjares respectfully disagreed, believing that this will be a morale booster for the city of Fillmore as the city manager is doing a tremendous job.

Gaylynn Brien of the CONTINUED »

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported today that two infants with Zika-related microcephaly have been born in California to women who had Zika virus infections during pregnancy after spending time in a country where the virus is endemic. While mosquitoes that can carry the virus have been found in 12 California counties, there is no evidence these mosquitoes are transmitting Zika in the state at this time.

“This is a sobering reminder for Californians that Zika can cause serious harm to a developing fetus,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “We join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in urging pregnant women to avoid travel to areas with known Zika transmission. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and speak with a health care provider upon return.”

“Zika virus can also be transmitted to sexual partners by both males and females. Both men and women of childbearing age should take precautions if they have recently traveled, or plan to travel, to a location where Zika is spreading,” added Dr. Smith.

A team of experts across several disciplines at CDPH is working closely with local public health departments, vector control agencies and the medical community to ensure that California is responding aggressively and appropriately to the emerging threat of Zika virus. CDPH is actively monitoring all pregnant women with Zika infection in California. The Department is also collaborating with local health departments to provide assistance to families with infants born with Zika-related birth defects to ensure they receive appropriate medical care. Infants born to mothers with confirmed infections will be monitored for one year.

As of July 29, CDPH has confirmed 114 travel-associated Zika virus infections in 22 counties. A total of 21 infections have been confirmed in pregnant women. This information is updated every Friday on the CDPH Zika website.

While Zika infection is often asymptomatic, those who do have symptoms report fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika other than supportive care, rest, fluids and fever relief.
People traveling to areas with known Zika transmission should take steps to avoid mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol for long-lasting protection. If using sunscreen and insect repellent, apply 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. Do not use insect repellent on infants less than two months of age.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Use air conditioning or window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If mosquitoes may come indoors, sleep under a bed net.
• Reduce the number of mosquitoes outside by emptying standing water from containers, such as flowerpots and buckets.

Sexually active adults who travel to areas with Zika transmission should use condoms or other barriers in order to avoid getting or passing Zika during sex. Couples planning pregnancy should speak with a health care provider about a safe time to wait before trying to get pregnant.
CDPH provides Zika-related pregnancy outcome data to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry maintained by the CDC. The CDC is collecting this information to better understand the risks posed by Zika infection during pregnancy.

In order to protect privacy, CDPH is not releasing additional details or the locations of the mothers and children. Infants born with birth defects, including microcephaly, as a result of maternal Zika infection do not pose a public health risk to their communities.

For more information about Zika, visit the CDPH Zika website, which includes the following resources:

Zika and Travel
Zika and Pregnancy
Zika and Sex
Mosquito Bite Prevention

www.cdph.ca.gov