Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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Kern County Public Health, in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is investigating a potential human case of H5N1 bird flu in an individual who had contact with infected cattle at a dairy farm. "While the risk to the general public remains low, it continues to be extremely important for persons who may come in contact with infected animals to use caution and wear proper personal protective equipment,"...
Kern County Public Health has received confirmation of the first West Nile virus (WNV) infection in a person in Kern County this year. WNV is a disease spread by mosquitoes most often during the summer and early fall when WNV-carrying mosquitoes are most active. While many mosquito-borne illnesses such as WNV cause only mild symptoms in most people, the infection can cause severe illness and even death in rare cases. Up to 20% of people who become infected with WNV will have symptoms that may...
As Borel Fire evacuees begin to return home, it is important to be aware that hazards still exist that can impact your health and safety. Kern County Public Health urges residents to proceed with caution as you return to your property and not to return home until the evacuation orders have been formally lifted. Ash and debris Residents may be tempted to sift through ash and debris on their property following a wildfire as they search for belongings. Sifting through ash after a fire can be...
First detection of mosquito-borne disease in Kern County mosquito population for 2024. Hot temperatures bring increased mosquito activity and increased risk for mosquito-borne diseases. The first mosquito sample has been confirmed for West Nile virus (WNV) in Kern County this year. While there have been no human cases reported yet this year, Kern County Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes. West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people thr...
Kern County Public Health is urging boaters, dog owners and other recreational lake users to exercise caution and observe signage related to active algal blooms when visiting certain areas within Lake Isabella. Public Health recently obtained water samples from 17 locations in Lake Isabella as part of our monitoring program. The Hanning Flat area test results indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae (cyanotoxin) at the cautionary level, which is the lowest of the three...
Summer is a busy time of year as kids are out of school and many events and activities are happening around Kern County. There are steps we all can take to prevent medical emergencies in our daily lives, in and around our homes. This June, Public Health will release weekly health and safety tips to empower families to have a happy and safe summer! As we move into triple digit temperatures this weekend, Public Health urges residents to protect themselves. Heat poses a substantial health risk,...
Temperatures are rising and many Kern County families try to beat the heat with backyard swimming parties and taking trips to the beach or other recreational bodies of water. When in and around water, children must always be kept in sight of a responsible adult. Drownings can happen quickly and silently, so there is no room for error. Designate a Water Watcher to supervise children during water activities. This Water Watcher wears a lanyard that can rotate between adults to ensure that someone...
Beginning May 1, Kern County Public Health broadens our Narcan Distribution Project to include our traveling Mobile Health Vehicle. This expansion is due to the increasing health crisis pervading our communities that heightens the need to make Narcan available throughout Kern County while providing residents the opportunity to receive training and information on how to respond to an opioid overdose. "Expanding opportunities to all areas of Kern County for our residents to get easy access to...
Kern County Public Health has embarked on a year-long health initiative called, "A Healthier Kern – One Heart at a Time." This initiative highlights 10 health-related challenges and provides awareness and education to empower our residents to be healthier while showcasing Public Health programs and services. This month, we spotlight food insecurity and malnutrition as one of our top health challenges. In Kern County, more than 117,000 people do not know if they will be able to get enough foo...
Kern County Public Health is embarking on another year-long health education and awareness campaign for 2024 called "A Healthier Kern - One Heart at a Time." This campaign will focus on the top 10 health-related challenges and how educating and empowering people "one heart at a time" can help us build a healthier Kern. In addition to the top 10 health-related issues, we are partnering with people throughout the community and Public Health staff members to highlight the reasons they want to live...
Kern County Public Health launched the free Know Your Numbers program at Rosamond Park on Oct. 4. This traveling program offers two health screenings informing participants of their body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels both before and after six weeks of nutrition coaching from our Public Health Nutritionist and fitness classes taught by our Health and Fitness Instructor. All fitness levels are welcome as our fitness instructor offers modifications for varied fitness levels and comfort. Fitness and nutrition...
There has been a change to demographic data information release methodology for COVID-19 Deaths in Kern. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the County had to decide how to release COVID-19 death demographic data that aligned with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) federal law and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services standards that protect the privacy of individual identifiable health information. Of the two allowable methodologies of releasing this...
The first human case of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) has been confirmed in Kern County. SLEV and West Nile virus (WNV) are viruses spread by mosquitoes that can make people sick. Most people infected with these viruses don't have symptoms, but in rare cases, these viruses can cause severe illness and lead to death. Older adults are at the highest risk for severe illness if they are infected. The symptoms and transmission of SLEV are similar to WNV, but SLEV is less common in California...
Kern County Public Health urges residents to protect themselves from the heat as triple digit temperatures are expected for the first time this year. Widespread triple digit heat was expected in the San Joaquin Valley and Coastal Range Friday, June 30 through at least Monday, July 3. Heat poses a substantial health risk, especially for vulnerable populations including young children, the elderly, those with chronic diseases or disabilities and pregnant women. People suffer heat-related illness w...
Kern County Public Health is urging boaters, dog owners and other recreational lake users to exercise caution and observe signage related to active algal blooms when visiting certain areas within Lake Isabella. Public Health recently obtained water samples from 16 locations in Lake Isabella as part of our monitoring program. The Hanning Flat and Tillie Creek boat launch areas' test results indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae (cyanotoxin) at the cautionary level, which...
First detection of mosquito-borne diseases in Kern County mosquito population for 2023 Warmer weather brings increased mosquito activity and a heightened risk for mosquito-borne diseases. The first mosquito samples have been confirmed for West Nile virus (WNV) and for St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) in Kern County this year. While there have been no human cases reported yet this year, Kern County Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes....
National campaign recognizes Emergency Medical Services Professionals, May 21-27 Kern County Public Health is pleased to join our emergency medical service providing partners to announce and recognize EMS Week 2023: “Where Emergency Care Begins.” The national campaign, which honors the men and women who provide emergency medical services to our communities, takes place May 21-27. EMS Week celebrates the accomplishments of EMTs, paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers, while building awareness of the important role they play in our com...
The flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are circulating at levels higher than usual for this time of year and are expected to continue to increase, according to the California Department of Public Health. With many viruses circulating at high levels and with the holiday gathering and traveling season upon us, it is important that we all do our part and take preventative measures to ensure our hospitals have capacity to care for all vulnerable patients who may need lifesaving...
