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

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced the first confirmed death in California due to West Nile virus (WNV). The deceased person was a senior citizen in Sacramento County.

“West Nile virus can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible, as this unfortunate fatality illustrates,” said Dr. Smith. “West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so I urge Californians to take every possible precaution to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”

CDPH has reported ten human cases of WNV from eight California counties this year. In addition, 764 dead birds from 26 counties have tested positive for WNV in 2016 and 1,487 mosquito samples from 30 counties have also tested positive for WNV this year.

The number of WNV positive dead birds and mosquito samples exceeds the numbers at this same time last year and are above the state’s most recent five-year average.

West Nile virus is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area and the level of WNV immunity in birds. West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older and individuals with diabetes or hypertension have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.

CDPH recommends that individuals protect against mosquito bites and WNV by practicing the “Three Ds”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. Insect repellents should not be used on children under two months of age.
2. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes usually bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
3. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets, and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

www.cdph.ca.gov

American Red Cross of Ventura County

The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.

The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.

Two summers ago, Kelly Griswold was involved in a life-threatening jet-ski accident while vacationing. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Griswold, a blood donor prior to the accident, suddenly knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of blood donations. “Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Moorpark
8/22/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road
8/25/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road

Oxnard
8/19/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Document Systems, 300 n Graves, Suite E
8/23/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Oxnard College, 4000 S Rose Ave
8/24/2016: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1150 Gary Dr

Simi Valley
8/20/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community, 5005 E Los Angeles Ave
8/25/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
8/17/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
8/22/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
8/22/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Teen Center, 1375 East Janss Road
8/24/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
8/31/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd

Ventura
8/16/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., EP Foster Library, 651 E Main Street
8/29/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SACRAMENTO – California’s birth rate among adolescents has continued to decline to record-low levels, reports California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. The state’s 2014 numbers indicate a record low of 20.8 births per 1,000 females between the ages of 15 and 19. Those numbers reflect a 10 percent decline from 2013 and a 55 percent decline from the 2000 rate of 46.7.

"California’s continued success in reducing births among adolescents is an excellent example of public health at work,” said Dr. Smith. “We can have a positive influence on the lives of young people when we empower them with knowledge, tools and resources to make healthy choices.”

The birth rate among adolescents decreased among all racial and ethnic groups between 2000 and 2014. During this time, the birth rate dropped from 77.3 to 31.3 (births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19) among Hispanics, 59.1 to 24.6 among African Americans, 22.3 to 8.4 among Whites and 15.0 to 3.7 among Asians.

Despite these declining birth rates, racial disparities persist in adolescent childbearing in California. African American and Hispanic adolescents are three to four times as likely to give birth as White females. In addition, the birth rate among adolescents varies considerably across counties, from a low of 7.0 in Marin County to a high of 45.1 in Kern County.

California has a number of programs aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy and improving pregnancy outcomes among young women. CDPH funds the Information and Education Program, the Personal Responsibility Education Program authorized through the Affordable Care Act of 2010, and the Adolescent Family Life Program for expectant and parenting adolescents. In addition, the state provides no-cost family planning services to eligible men and women, including adolescents, through the Family PACT Program.

For more birth rate data, visit CDPH’s Adolescent Health Data and Statistics page.

www.cdph.ca.gov

I was unable to attend the special meeting held on 7-26-16 (last night) so I will summarize Chief Wareham's notes, as presented by Chief Vasquez and Jackson, concerning effects of marijuana on communities that legalize it. Next week I hope to publish more detail on these findings. Here are some highlights.

My thanks to all three Chiefs for providing this voluminous information. I will republish their 8-page, single-space report in full next week.

On returning from an investigative trip to Colorado, Oregon, and Washington (where medical marijuana has been made legal), Police Chief Dave Wareham notes the following:

1. Overall Message, "Don't do it", i.e. approve a medical marijuana grow and distribution operation in our new business park.

2. Biggest issues are home grows, doctors issuing recommendations for profit, and very high potency.

3. 46 of 52 counties that opted out of commercial jarijuana. still experience problems.

4. Common comment: "I voted for it, but didn't think I was voting for this."

5. Colorado is now #1 in teen use, adult use, and college use.

6. Marijuana is now 100 percent different from traditional pot.

7. 80-90 percent of the population smoke; edibles and the concentrate scare them.

8. They have criminal organizations, Cuban nationals, Russian mafia, etc. coming into state, renting houses and setting up large illegal grows. Marijuana going out of state for large profit ($2,000 per pound in Colorado - $5,500 per pound East Coast.

9. ER admissions up 100 percent. 138 visits this year linked to marijuana.

10. DUIs: 77 percent linked with marijuana.

11. 2015 had highest fatality rate in TC.

12. Crime is us 6 percent state-wide. There is a noticeable increase in disorder, vagrancy, social issues.

13. Homeless population is up 153 percent.

14. Most homicides are marijuana related.

15. BHO explosions (over 20) on the rise

16. They now have "travelers" (homeless) who come to Colorado on 420-day, they stay to use marijuana and leave at first snowfall. They live and beg on the streets, urinate/defecate in public and are a community eyessore.

These statements comprise less than one page of the report. The entire report will be published next week in the Gazette.

A word to the wise: VOTE NO ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

My thanks to Chief Wareham for providing this valuable information.