SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is urging Californians to protect themselves against mosquito bites if traveling to Mexico or Latin America, where there have been increased reports of the mosquito-borne diseases chikungunya and dengue. Travelers should also be aware that there is currently transmission of dengue on the Big Island in Hawaii, and precautions against mosquito bites are advised; there are no reports of dengue transmission on the other Hawaiian islands.

“We want all Californians to be extra careful when traveling to these regions and take steps to avoid mosquito bites,” Dr. Smith said. “The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya and dengue are aggressive daytime biters.”

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 in severe cases bleeding manifestations. For both, treatment is supportive, the disease is not contagious person to person, and there is no vaccine.

For 2015, 164 cases of chikungunya and 90 cases of dengue have been reported in California residents, all with a history of travel to areas where transmission of these diseases occurs. Of reported cases in 2015, 148 (90 percent) chikungunya and 77 (86 percent) dengue cases had a history of travel to Latin America. The number of reported California dengue cases with a history of travel to Mexico has increased in the last three years, with 80 in 2013-2015 compared to 17 in 2010-2012.

Three California residents have acquired dengue during the recent outbreak in the Big Island in Hawaii. There have been no cases of chikungunya and dengue acquired locally in California.

CDPH recommends that travelers prevent exposure to mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 according to label instructions. DEET can be used safely on infants and children two months of age and older. In addition, make sure that your hotel or lodging has air conditioning or doors and windows with tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.

Chikungunya was first introduced to the Caribbean in late 2013, and by Nov. 30, 2015, over 25,000 confirmed cases were reported from the Caribbean and Central, South, and North America, including over 9,000 cases in Mexico. Dengue transmission has also been prevalent throughout Latin American countries in recent years, and the risk of dengue is present in several Mexican states, including Baja California Sur (where Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are popular tourist areas).

If you have returned from an affected region and have fever with joint pain or rash within the two weeks following your return, please contact your medical provider and tell the doctor where you have traveled. If your doctor suspects chikungunya or dengue, please protect yourself against mosquito bites until you recover. This will prevent spread of the virus to mosquitoes and potentially humans here in California.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Traditionally, thefts of packages from doorsteps and mailboxes tend to increase during the holiday season. Criminals are well aware of the increase in package deliveries and drive through neighborhoods looking for unattended packages and full mailboxes. The Fillmore Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office have received information about solicitors knocking on doors, possibly casing residences, while at the same time grabbing Christmas cards, checks and gifts cards from mailboxes. A recent incident occurred in the 400 block of Fillmore Street. A male suspect, wearing a dark-colored baseball cap, dark blue jeans, and a dark-colored sleeveless “muscle” shirt was seen removing a UPS delivered package from a victim’s front porch and leaving in a red 4-door sedan. There were also packages stolen from homes on Grand Avenue. There is no suspect information on those thefts.

Here are a few tips to protect your deliveries during the holiday season:

• Ensure someone is at the residence if a delivery is expected. If this is not possible, have the delivery sent to a place of employment or request that the package be held at the Post Office for pickup.
• Tracking numbers – Most agencies will send you a tracking number to allow you to monitor where your package is and when it will be delivered.
• Promptly retrieve packages and mail from your residence.
• Drop off outgoing mail at the Post Office or hand the mail to the Postal Service delivery person.
• Encourage your neighbors to call the police to report any unusual activity in your area. People in your neighborhood usually know who resides at and visits your residence. Neighbors should call law enforcement if unknown people are seen going through your mailbox or loitering around your residence.
• Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings; protect yourself and your property by locking doors and windows and making it harder for criminals to steal your valuables.
The Fillmore Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s would like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.

Nature of Incident: Holiday Package Theft Advisory
Report Number:
Location: City of Fillmore & the Santa Clara Valley Communities
Date & Time: 12/08/2015
Unit(s) Responsible:
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Prepared by: Sgt. Mario Aguilar
News Release Date: 12/08/2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Mario Aguilar (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Mayor Diane McCall

The City of Fillmore kicked off the holiday season just before the City Council meeting on Tuesday night with about 50 people attending the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in front of City Hall. Drifting snow came down (provided by a small bubble machine) creating a playground for children who attempted to build a small snowman. Hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies were provided making it a very festive scene.

The City Council meeting which followed also celebrated the appointment of a new mayor and mayor pro tem.

There were a number of other items also on its agenda; Appointments of City Council Member to Committees, Commissions, Liaison, and Outside Agencies, Proposed Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) petition to extend expiration to the year 2050, a new ad hoc committee Fillmore Development Council (FDC), and a Drought Update were just some of those items.

Diane McCall was installed as the new Mayor of Fillmore by unanimous vote. Mayor Pro Tem required some discussion. Council Member Douglas Tucker put forward Council Member Rick Neal for Mayor Pro Tem, but both Council Member Manny Minjares and Mayor McCall put Council Member Carrie Broggie for nomination. There was a small bit of discussion resulting in a unanimous vote for Broggie as the new Mayor Pro Tem.

Fillmore Supervisor David CONTINUED »