8/13/08
Community Access For Nutritious Foods
Who: Kern County Department of Public Health and Community Action Partnership Food Bank of Kern.
What: "Community Access for Nutritious Foods" event
When: Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:30am - noon
Where: Community Action Partnership Food Bank located at 1825 Feliz Drive in Southeast Bakersfield.
Why: To promote under-utilized healthy foods provided by the Food Bank. Additionally, the event is being held to highlight the need for on-going monetary and food contributions to the Food Bank.
Please note: Although this is a public event, it is designed specifically for Food Bank users.

8/1/08
Staying Healthy In Hot Weather
“The Kern County Department of Public Health was saddened to hear the announcement that a third county resident has died as a result of a heat related injury”, said Claudia Jonah, MD. Interim Public Health Officer. Temperatures continue to be high and the deadly extreme conditions that contributed to three deaths, could reoccur before the cooler fall temperatures set in. We want all residents to know how to protect themselves from those potentially deadly conditions.

7/30/08
Children's Jewelry, Lip Gloss And Magnets Recalled Due To Risk Of Lead Exposure
Claudia Jonah, M.D., Interim Health Officer of Kern County, is issuing this advisory regarding the identification of excessive lead in “Parragon Books Children's Necklaces," "Action Products International Shoelace Children's Charms,"" F.A.F Lip Gloss and Jewelry Sets," "Horseshoe Magnets," and "Pacific Science Supplies Magnets." These products should immediately be taken away from children. The importers and manufacturers, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC, www.cpsc.gov)), are voluntarily recalling their products

7/9/08
Children's Jewelry And Camouflage Pajama Sets Recalled Due To Lead Poisoning
Claudia Jonah, M.D., Interim Health Officer of Kern County, is issuing this advisory regarding the identification of excessive lead in “Makit & Bakit Jewelry Sets and Suncatcher Sets,” “It’s a Girl Thing Jewelry;” and “Camouflage Pajama Sets.” These products should immediately be taken away from children. The importers and manufacturers, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC, www.cpsc.gov), are voluntarily recalling their products.

6/20/08
Consumers Warned Not To Eat Qi Cai Bang Candy Imported From China Due To Elevated Lead Levels
Claudia Jonah, M.D., Interim Health Officer of Kern County, is warning consumers not to eat Qi Cai Bang candy imported from China. Tests conducted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found elevated levels of lead in the product.
California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated. Recent analysis determined that this product contained as much as 0.61 parts per million (ppm) of lead.

6/16/08
Kern Country Resident Diagnosed With Salmonella Saintpaul
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed that a Kern County resident has tested positive for Salmonella Saintpaul. This case is related to the multi-state outbreak associated with consuming raw tomatoes.
Kern County Public Health staff has been investigating this case and has determined that the resident’s exposure most likely occurred while traveling outside of California. No cases of Salmonella Saintpaul infection have been linked to eating tomatoes grown in California.

6/13/08
First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Pool Identified In Kern Country For 2008
Dr. Claudia Jonah, Interim Health Officer for Kern County, has announced that Kern County Department of Public Health received confirmation today that a mosquito pool in Kern County has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first mosquito pool found positive for the virus this year.
“While there are no human cases of the virus confirmed in Kern County so far this year,” said Dr. Jonah, “this is an indication that the potential for WNV activity still exists locally and we must all remember to use personal protection and eliminate sources for mosquito breeding to prevent the spread of the disease.”
The infected mosquito was discovered in a trap located in the 93314 zip code area.

5/29/08
Six Children's Toys And Magnets Recalled Due To Violation Of Lead Paint Standard
Claudia Jonah, M.D., Interim Health Officer of Kern County, is issuing this advisory regarding the identification of excessive lead in following children’s products: Cowboy on a Horse Little Rider Toys; Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags and Tinker Bell Wands from Disney; Floppy Friends Horse Toys; and American Scientific Magnets and United Scientific Magnets. These products should immediately be taken away from children. The importers and manufacturers, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC, www.cpsc.gov), are voluntarily recalling their products.
”One simple step caretakers can teach children is to always wash their hands with soap and water before eating and going to sleep,“ says Dr. Jonah. “This will help minimize the risk a child will introduce lead into their bodies. Because a child may not have obvious symptoms from lead exposure, caretakers who suspect a child under the age of 6 years old has been exposed to lead should have the child’s blood lead level tested.”
Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

5/23/08
Kern County West Nile Virus Strategic Response Plan
The Kern County West Nile Virus Strategic Response Plan is intended to provide guidance in protecting the county residents from infection with West Nile Virus (WNV) and reducing/eliminating the presence of WNV infection in the environment by: 1) Enhancing existing vector surveillance and control programs 2) Enhancing interagency communication 3) Educating the public on preventing their exposure to mosquitoes and the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding habitats.

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