Tag

San Diego County

All articles tagged with #san diego county

San Diego County Detects First Local Case of Chagas Disease
health10 days ago

San Diego County Detects First Local Case of Chagas Disease

San Diego County health officials announced the region's first locally acquired case of Chagas disease, found through routine blood donor screening from an asymptomatic donor. Chagas is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and spread by kissing bugs; local transmission is now recognized in parts of the United States. The county began requiring reporting in 2024, and this case marks the first acquired locally in San Diego. Public health guidance emphasizes prevention (protective clothing, insect repellent, indoor sleeping, treated nets) and screening for at-risk groups, including pregnant women, with researchers suggesting the disease may be more common in the U.S. than previously thought.

Southern California reports its first locally acquired Chagas disease case linked to kissing bugs
science13 days ago

Southern California reports its first locally acquired Chagas disease case linked to kissing bugs

San Diego County has recorded its first locally acquired case of Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi transmitted by kissing bugs (Triatominae). Though the disease is most common in Latin America, these bugs are now found in Southern California, raising concerns about local transmission. Chagas has an acute phase with flu-like symptoms and can progress to a chronic phase years later, leading to heart or digestive complications; treatment with benznidazole or nifurtimox is most effective in the acute phase, but chronic infection is hard to cure. Health experts say many infections go undiagnosed, underscoring the need for awareness and testing among residents and clinicians.

San Diego County Records Its First Locally Transmitted Chagas Case
health13 days ago

San Diego County Records Its First Locally Transmitted Chagas Case

San Diego County announced its first locally acquired case of Chagas disease, detected in an asymptomatic blood donor during routine screening. The disease is spread by the kissing bug, which typically nests in rodent habitats; local exposure can occur through camping or outdoor activities. Chagas is more common in rural Latin America, but officials emphasize that local transmission is now a possibility. Since 2024, Chagas has been locally reportable, with 22 reports and four confirmed cases prior to this one. Early infection is often mild or flu-like, but untreated disease can cause serious heart or gastrointestinal problems years later. Officials advise preventive measures for travelers to endemic areas and recommend screening for people who have lived in Latin American countries, especially pregnant women.

California Faces First Established Presence of Rat Lungworm
health4 months ago

California Faces First Established Presence of Rat Lungworm

A neurological parasite, rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), has been found in wild animals and a parma wallaby at the San Diego Zoo, marking California’s first established presence. While the overall public risk is low, infection can cause severe neurological illness and death; transmission occurs through raw or undercooked hosts (snails, slugs, freshwater crabs, prawns, frogs) or contaminated produce, and early treatment improves outcomes. California officials say it’s not yet endemic and ongoing surveillance is needed to determine if local transmission is occurring. The findings came from work by the San Diego Zoo and wildlife groups, highlighting the parasite’s ability to be introduced to California from endemic areas.

San Diego County Announces New Leadership to Drive Transformation
local-government6 months ago

San Diego County Announces New Leadership to Drive Transformation

San Diego County is undergoing leadership changes across several departments, including appointments of Nadia Privara Brahms as Behavioral Health Services Director, Eric Shiotsugu as Chief Information Officer, and Shawn Brom as Registrar of Voters, with ongoing recruitment for other key roles to support the county's ongoing transformation and service improvements.

San Diego County Mourns the Loss of Retired Treasurer Dan McAllister at 74
local-news7 months ago

San Diego County Mourns the Loss of Retired Treasurer Dan McAllister at 74

Dan McAllister, who served as San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector for 23 years and was known for his leadership and community involvement, passed away. He was credited with maintaining high collection rates, improving services, and contributing significantly to civic and community organizations. His death is mourned by colleagues, community members, and his family.

"San Diego County Braces for Heavy Rain and Potential Flooding as Coastal Storm Hits California"
weather2 years ago

"San Diego County Braces for Heavy Rain and Potential Flooding as Coastal Storm Hits California"

A Pacific storm brought heavy rain to San Diego County, with the San Diego International Airport receiving 1.26 inches on Saturday, surpassing the monthly average for March. NBC 7 meteorologist Angelica Campos expects scattered showers and possible isolated thunderstorms to continue, with some areas potentially receiving another half-inch to over an inch of rain.

"California Woman Denies Bloody Bedroom Was a Crime Scene"
true-crime2 years ago

"California Woman Denies Bloody Bedroom Was a Crime Scene"

Jane Dorotik was convicted of murdering her husband in 2001 based on blood evidence found in their bedroom, but new analysis revealed that not all the blood-like stains were tested and some were not blood at all. After years of appeals and a retrial, the prosecutors dropped the charges in 2022, admitting that the evidence was not sufficient to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Key Races and Live Updates: 2024 Super Tuesday in San Diego County"
politics2 years ago

"Key Races and Live Updates: 2024 Super Tuesday in San Diego County"

San Diego County's presidential primary election results will be released in stages, with the first unofficial results expected shortly after 8 p.m. on election night. These initial results will include mail ballots received before Election Day and early voting ballots. Subsequent updates will cover vote center ballots cast on Election Day, with the final unofficial results expected to be posted by 1 a.m. or later. After election night, mail ballots and provisional ballots will continue to be counted, with the next release of unofficial results scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 7. The results must be certified by April 4, with updates available on sdvote.com.

"Snowstorm Forces School Closures and Travel Delays in Southern California"
weather2 years ago

"Snowstorm Forces School Closures and Travel Delays in Southern California"

Due to windy and snowy conditions, some school districts in San Diego County will be closed or have late starts on Thursday. The Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed, while late starts are planned for other districts. The San Diego County Office of Education emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of students and staff. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for mountain communities in the county until noon on Thursday.

"San Diego County Braces for Violent Thunderstorms and Flash Flood Warnings"
weather2 years ago

"San Diego County Braces for Violent Thunderstorms and Flash Flood Warnings"

Violent thunderstorms are pounding San Diego County, bringing torrential rain and the prospect of widespread flooding. The storm, part of a massive Pacific system, is expected to continue until Tuesday evening, affecting traffic and prompting a rare tornado warning. The storm has already caused one death and numerous incidents of flooding and damage, with more rain expected in the coming days. The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for several areas, and San Diego officials have listed numerous closed or flooded streets. Donations are being accepted to assist flood victims, with the San Diego Foundation raising funds to support recovery efforts.