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Northern California

All articles tagged with #northern california

Kaiser study flags two North Bay measles vaccination hotspots
public-health1 month ago

Kaiser study flags two North Bay measles vaccination hotspots

Researchers analyzing Kaiser Permanente Northern California records identified seven geographic clusters with lower-than-expected measles vaccination among 7-year-olds, including two clusters in Napa and Sonoma counties. Despite an overall regional vaccination rate of about 97.6%, these pockets could raise local transmission risk and help officials target vaccination campaigns and surveillance, though the study is limited to Kaiser members and doesn’t capture uninsured or non‑Kaiser populations. With rising U.S. measles cases and Napa’s earlier local case this year, the findings highlight the value of localized vaccination efforts.

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks: Best Viewing Spots in Northern California
science2 months ago

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks: Best Viewing Spots in Northern California

The Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight into Thursday morning in Northern California, with patchy clouds possibly obscuring view; viewing is best Thursday night before dawn. Local stargazing spots include the Community Observatory in Placerville (10 p.m.–1 a.m., free admission, $2 parking), the El Dorado Trail parking lot near Placerville, Ice House Observation off Ice House Road near Highway 50, and vista points along Highway 20 between Nevada City and I-80/20 interchange. Using a light-pollution map can help you find other good spots.

Northern California hit by 5.6-magnitude quake; injuries reported, power outages ripple
local-news3 months ago

Northern California hit by 5.6-magnitude quake; injuries reported, power outages ripple

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County, injuring people, causing thousands to lose power, and prompting visible damage in communities from Willits to Upper Lake; officials are coordinating damage inspections and safety responses as aftershocks are expected, with Governor Newsom and emergency services closely monitoring the situation.

Rural Northern California shaken by string of quakes; no injuries reported
us-news3 months ago

Rural Northern California shaken by string of quakes; no injuries reported

A rural portion of Northern California was struck by an initial earthquake, followed by three additional aftershocks under magnitude 2.7 within an hour. Residents in towns near the epicenter, including Kelseyville, reported shaking, but authorities said there has been no significant damage or injuries as officials assess impacts; the MyShake app reported hundreds of thousands of early-warning alerts during the event.

California logs rare tick-borne infection, only the fourth on record globally
science3 months ago

California logs rare tick-borne infection, only the fourth on record globally

A California resident has been diagnosed with Rickettsia lanei, the fourth known global case and likely infected in Northern California. The bacterium, related to the one that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can cause severe illness and even death. State officials say California cases are extremely rare, and physicians are urged to consider starting doxycycline early for patients with tick exposure while awaiting tests.

Northern California records fourth known human case of rare tick-borne infection
health3 months ago

Northern California records fourth known human case of rare tick-borne infection

Public health officials in Northern California confirmed the fourth human case of Rickettsia lanei, a rare tick-borne bacterium that can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever–like illness; transmitted by ticks such as the Pacific Coast tick, the disease can range from fever and rash to severe organ damage, and prevention centers on avoiding tick bites through protective clothing, staying off tall grasses, showering after outdoor activities, and checking pets.

PG&E Flags Weekend Power Outages Across 15 NorCal Counties
local5 months ago

PG&E Flags Weekend Power Outages Across 15 NorCal Counties

PG&E says power shutoffs are likely Sunday and Monday across Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo, with a smaller set possibly affected Tuesday in Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, San Benito and Tehama. The outages come as high winds and dry conditions raise fire risk, with a Red Flag Warning in effect for parts of Solano County, the Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the Central Valley. PG&E hasn’t disclosed an exact customer count, but outages in recent years have been less widespread.

Wastewater traces reveal West Coast surge of HMPV virus
health7 months ago

Wastewater traces reveal West Coast surge of HMPV virus

A little-known respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is surging on the West Coast, with wastewater surveillance showing elevated activity in Northern California and a January peak; there is no vaccine or specific treatment, and the virus can cause cough, fever and breathing difficulties, posing higher risks to young children, older adults and the immunocompromised, while data also show rising activity in the Midwest and Northeast per CDC surveillance.

Bay Area Detects Rise in Human Metapneumovirus via Wastewater Signals
health7 months ago

Bay Area Detects Rise in Human Metapneumovirus via Wastewater Signals

Wastewater data show high concentrations of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) across Northern California, signaling a regional uptick in a common respiratory virus that can cause cold- or flu-like illness and, in some people (especially young children, seniors, and the immunocompromised), more serious disease; there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment, so prevention centers on hygiene and staying home when sick, with symptoms typically lasting 2–5 days.

Federal Judge Bars ICE from Arresting Immigrants at Court in Northern California
law-and-policy9 months ago

Federal Judge Bars ICE from Arresting Immigrants at Court in Northern California

A federal judge in San Francisco has blocked ICE from making civil arrests at immigration courts in Northern California, citing concerns over the chilling effect on noncitizens' participation in removal proceedings and the potential for arbitrary detention. The ruling challenges recent policy reversals by the Biden administration and sets the stage for possible appellate and Supreme Court battles over courthouse arrests, with the decision currently limited to Northern California.