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NEWS ALERTS:

For tips on preventing heat-related illness, visit our health topics page.

Consumers advised to throw away cookie dough products (6/19/09)
A Shasta County resident was one of 66 people nationwide to be diagnosed with E. coli related to consumption of cookie dough.

Public Health reports outbreak of viral meningitis (6/19/09)
Health officials are concerned about an increasing number of viral meningitis cases in Shasta County.

mosquitoBefore the Swarm-- West Nile Virus Season is Here
West Nile virus (WNV) has infected at least one person in Shasta County every year since 2004. The best way to avoid becoming sick from WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. Other "Fight the Bite" tips include:

  • DRAIN sources of standing water on your property to reduce mosquito breeding.
  • DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus containing insect repellents should always be used according to label instructions and should be applied when outdoors. Mosquito repellent information can be found by clicking here.
  • DUSK and DAWN-- Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active.
  • DRESS to cover arms and legs when mosquitoes are active.

REPLACE or repair screens that have tears or holes, and make sure screens on doors and windows are tight. 

See our West Nile virus page in our Health Topics section for more information.

Dead bird tests positive for West Nile Virus in Shasta County (6/19/09)
Residents are warned to avoid mosquito bites.


Novel Influenza A (H1N1 flu)
This is the latest information in English and Spanish on Novel Influenza A cases in California; please check back regularly for updates. To protect yourself, practice your usual seasonal flu prevention actions.

  • Stay home when you are ill.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with sleeve or tissue.
  • See a doctor if you have flu-like illness and you have had contact with a pig, or if you have had contact with someone who is known to have swine flu.
  • Avoid non-essential travel to places with multiple cases of swine flu.

    Downloadable Novel Influenza A (H1N1 flu) materials for Medical Professionals

Graduated Driver Licensing
Now that summer is here, and many teens will be spending increased time behind the wheel, the Injury Prevention Coalition would like to remind all Shasta County teens and parents to become familiar with safe teen driving practices and learn more about graduated driver licensing law. This law involves a three-step process designed to ease young drivers into progressively more difficult driving experiences prior to full licensure. A parent/teen driving contract can be a useful tool for setting expectations and enforcing GDL laws.

Building a Healthier Community
Learn more about the services available at Shasta County Public Health.

WIC Encourages Families to Lose the Fat and Keep the Vitamins, Drink Lowfat Milk
The WIC supplemental nutrition program is campaigning to help participants choose lowfat milk by offering milk comparison classes and milk taste tests all through the months of June and July. This is part of WIC's Healthy Habits initiative. More than 3,000 Shasta County WIC families (those with children over the age of one) will receive a special educational kit . This kit includes a booklet, fun activities, and a Sesame Street DVD encouraging WIC kids and parents to lose the fat and keep the vitamins by drinking lowfat milk.

Resource Guide now available
Everyday at the Health and Human Services Agency, people walk through our doors in need of help. Whether it's financial aid, medical insurance, nutrition, housing or counseling, you look to us to help you receive the assistance that you need. This Resource Guide focuses on direct services provided by the Health and Human Services Agency.

For more information about child care, health care, parenting, healthy living, finances and more, please explore the SMART Business Resource Center's family resource guide. Thank you for using the Health and Human Services Agency's Resource Guide.

Items of Interest

Sign up for EnviroFlash and receive air pollution email alerts. For more information about air quality, visit the Department of Resource Management's website.

Shasta County Hospital Preparedness Program

Syringe Disposal Locations

Shasta County Doctors and Clinics who Provide CHDP Assessments

Dentists that Accept Medi-Cal

Optometrists that Accept Medi-Cal

Food Safety Information

Current USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Recall Information

Retail food facility inspection results for Shasta County: The most recent food inspection reports from Environmental Health are now available online.

Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Recall Information


"Building a Healthier Community"

Disclaimer
A large and growing amount of health information exists on the Web. This information varies widely in quality and focus. The links on this site will lead you to reliable sources of information. Some of these links may provide personal health information; these are designed for educational use and are not intended to replace advice from a health professional. Some of these sites display advertising; the Shasta County Department of Public Health does not endorse any product or service offers. Further, some of these sites may occasionally support or oppose a state or local ballot measure; the Shasta County Department of Public Health does not promote or discourage the passage of any state or local ballot measure and does not use any County resources for campaigning purposes.

Monthly Events/Topics

2009 Summer Food Drive 

Join your community on July 15 in supporting the local food banks, and donate your non-perishable foods at the annual Summer Food Drive. See flier for locations and details.

Eat a Rainbow at the Farmers' Market

Come to the Farmer's Market at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave on July 25, 2009 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Spend $20 (or WIC vouchers) for fruits and veggies, and enter to win cookware! To learn more , visit healthyshasta.org.

Quit for Good

The next Quit for Good tobacco cessation series starts soon. See Quit for Good flier for more information.

Shasta Health News

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