News & Announcements
PUBLIC ADVISORY (12/19/2024): Today Gov. Newsom issued a State of Emergency regarding H5 Bird flu (aka H5N1, H5 Avian flu, or Bird flu).
Per CDC and CDPH, the current public health risk is low. However, we must be aware of the situation and take precautions. These preventative measures include the following;
Avoid contact with infected animals: People should avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to have bird flu. Wild birds can be infected with bird flu even if they don't look sick.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if you must work with infected animals: If you work with infected animals and must have direct/close contact, wear recommended PPE, such as: respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles) and gloves.
Get the seasonal flu vaccine: CDPH recommends that all Californians — especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu — receive a seasonal flu vaccine. Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against bird flu, it can decrease the risk of being infected with both viruses at the same time and reduce the chance of severe illness from seasonal flu.
Only consume pasteurized dairy products: Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu infection. Pasteurized milk and dairy foods are safe to eat.
Below you will also find resources you may find helpful. We will continue to share information with as we gain further updates.
Resources:
Risks Associated with Raw Milk
Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported related to consuming raw dairy products. Raw milk products are not pasteurized, a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as bird flu.
Pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products are safe to consume because the heating process kills pathogens, including bird flu, that can cause illness.
Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection. Symptoms of bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever. Anyone who has consumed these specific products and is experiencing these symptoms, should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department
CDPH Bird Flu Toolkit:
Contains up-to-date information from California Dept of Public Health. Includes Fact sheets in Spanish and English
CDC- H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation (updated 12/18/2024)
Contains latest data on H5 Bird Flu spread, confirmed human case summary by state, Detection in animals, and additional information on what the CDC is doing.
PUBLIC ADVISORY: Voluntary Recall of Raw Milk and Cream to Protect Consumers (12/4/2024)
Two Mendocino County retailers are listed as having received lots of milk confirmed by PCR to contain the virus:
UKIAH NATURAL FOODS
721 S STATE ST
UKIAH
MARIPOSA MARKET
500 SOUTH MAIN ST
WILLITS
Product Identification
Affected Dates
Raw Farm Raw Milk, Cream Top - Whole
Size/Packaging: Quart and half gallon fluid milk sizes
Lot ID #20241109
Produced on: 11/9/2024
Expiration date: 11/27/2024
Environmental Health has been following up with both retailers to ensure any remaining product is safely disposed of. There is a small chance that consumers disposing of any unused milk in a sink on or before 11/27/2024 created a splash hazard. Although risk of H5N1 infection from consumption is unknown, splashing is known as high risk in the absence of PPE.
Thus far there are no confirmed infections from use of this product.
Please be alert to the S/S of H5N1; CDPH advises that persons with flu-like symptoms and a history of raw milk consumption to contact their provider or Public Health immediately; see the following links for additional information about testing and process for providers:
Please see the full CDPH News Release: State Secures Broad Voluntary Recall of Raw Milk and Cream to Protect Consumers
PUBLIC ADVISORY: Pertussis Prevention (9/3/2024)
Pertussis (whooping cough) a contagious respiratory illness is here in Mendocino County. Babies younger than 1 year old and older adults are at greatest risk. People with pre-existing health conditions are also at risk for developing a severe infection. Some conditions include but are not limited to immunocompromising conditions and moderate to severe medically treated asthma. Prevent whooping cough by getting vaccinated.
See full Press Release (PDF)
Vaccine Tips (2/15/2024)
Keep spreading the love by making sure young patients are protected against RSV!
Mandated Masking and Strong Recommendation for Up-To-Date Seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations by Mendocino County (10/26/2023)
This Order of the Health Officer requires Health Care Workers to wear Face Masks while in PatientCare Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities during the annual respiratory virus season from now through April 30, 2024, (and October 1 through April 30 in subsequent years) until rescinded. This Order also requires Employers of Health Care Workers to develop and implement policies which strongly recommend up-to-date seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination. See full order.
Info about National Native American Heritage Day (November 24, 2023)
Native-Land.ca
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life.
Pomo
The Pomo are Native Americans of northern California. There are about 72 separate tribes grouped together as Pomo. Native American cuisine: Share a Pomo recipe for acorn bread, identifying healthy traditional foods, etc. Cultural History specific to Pomo People:
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Pomo/353653
The Pomo people have been in California for millennia. This video explores the history of the Pomo people and the fight to keep their traditions alive.
The Wild: A History of the Pomo People in California
American Psychological Association (APA) has the following video in which they interviewed two Native American psychologists who are members of a professional society, Society of Indian Psychologist:
https://youtu.be/tX4vuMDnuCI?si=EuBPT2GfeNB9wfDc
Get Your Flu and COVID Vaccinations at CTHP (10/13/2023)
Recently there has been a nationwide rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Activity of COVID, flu, and RSV is expected to further increase in the coming weeks and months.
The Association of American Indian Physicians, the IHS (Indian Health Services) and the CDC recommend that everyone 6 months and above should receive the flu vaccine, as well as the current and updated COVID vaccine. Also, children and people 60 years and above should consider getting a vaccine against RSV.
These vaccines help prevent these infections or decrease the severity of the infection.
You can get your vaccines at CTHP and prevent the infection spreading in your family and community.
CTHP offers the following vaccines:
Flu vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults 6 months and above.
COVID vaccine for adolescents 12 years and older, and adults.
RSV vaccine for pregnant women and Elders 60 years and above.
Benefits of the flu vaccine | AAIP Vaccination Campaign (aaipvax.org)
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are at higher risk of developing serious complications from flu | CDC
American Indians, Alaska Natives and the Flu | Influenza (Flu) (ihs.gov)
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days, and isolate from others in your home.
During this time, please call CTHP at ___, we can book you for a phone appointment. If you wish an in-person visit, we will see you outside our clinic in a designated area. Please make sure to wear a mask when you come to your appointment.
If you had no symptoms:
-You may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms and:
-Your symptoms are improving
-You may end isolation after day 5 if:
-You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
If you had symptoms and:
-Your symptoms are not improving Continue to isolate until:
-You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), and
Your symptoms are improving.
After you have ended isolation, when you are feeling better:
-Wear your mask through day 10.
-During this time, please call CTHP at ___, we can book you for a phone appointment. If you wish an in-person visit, we will see you outside our clinic in a designated area. Please make sure to wear a mask when you come to your appointment.
For more info: What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC, Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
Medi-Cal Renewals Are Coming… Don’t Lose Your Coverage
On April 1, 2023, California resumed Medi-Cal Renewals, due to the end of the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). During the PHE, Medi-Cal enrollees were not required to annually renew their eligibility for coverage.
CTHP wants to assist our patients to complete their renewal in an easy and reliable manner to prevent loss of benefits and risk of access to healthcare services due to lack of coverage. Please ensure that a current mailing address is on file with your local Social Services and Consolidated Tribal Health Project. Prepare to update household members, income, and assets.
Proclamation of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
Recognizing May 5, 2023, as Mendocino County Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People. News article posted at MendoFever.com 
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Proclamation event attendees.
