Public
Health
Warning

Previous Food/Product Recalls

Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts - A comprehensive, up-to-date list of all food and product recalls from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• Posted 3/28/08: Recall of Dulces Yosi MEGAPACK Chewing Gum

• Posted 3/20/08: Recall of Kowalke Alfalfa Sprouts

• Posted 3/3/08:   Recall of Cosmos Alfalfa Sprouts

• Posted 2/8/08:   Expanded Recall of Canned Beans, Vegetables (Institutional Size)

• Posted 2/7/08:   Recall of Bibi Rainbow, Tamanzela and Tarritos Mexican Candy

• Posted 2/1/08:   Recall of Olivier Dip at Williams-Sonoma Stores

• Posted 1/25/08: Recall of Canned Beans (Institutional Size Cans)

• Posted 1/19/08: Recall of INDY Mini Dedos Spicy and Sour Candy

• Posted 11/02/07: Recall of Metromint Bottled Flavored Water

• Posted 11/02/07: Recall of Jeno's and Totino's Frozen Meat Pizzas

• Posted 10/17/07: Recall of Frozen Ground Beef from J&B Meats

• Posted 10/11/07: Recall of Certain Brands of Pot Pies

• Posted 10/11/07: Recall of American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties

• Posted 10/5/07:   Expanded Recall of Soy Deli Brand Tofu Products

• Posted 9/27/07:   Recall of Frozen Ground Beef from Topps Meat Company

• Posted 9/26/07:   Recall of Organic Pastures Grade A Raw Cream

• Posted 9/26/07:   Recall of Soy Deli Brand Tofu Products

• Posted 8/31/07:   Recall of INDY Dedos Spicy and Sour Candies

• Posted 8/30/07:   Recall of Bagged Fresh Spinach

• Posted 8/24/07:   Recall of Mexican Candies

• Posted 8/23/07:   Recall of Bagged Baby Carrots

• Posted 7/30/07:   Recall of Fresh Ginger from China

• Posted 7/24/07:   Recall of Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Corned Beef Hash, Chili Beans

• Posted 7/21/07:   Recall of Trader Joe's Brand Diced Yellow Onions

• Posted 5/25/07:   Voluntary Recall of Complete® Moistureplus™ Multipurpose Solution

• Posted 5/25/07:   Recall of "Salad Cosmo" Brand Alfalfa Sprouts

• Posted 5/25/07:   Recall of Monkfish

• Posted 5/26/07:   Recall of “MARANATHA SESAME TAHINI” and “365 ORGANIC      EVERYDAY VALUE SESAME TAHINI”

List of Lead Product Recalls and Lead Related News

Public
Health
Advisory

Foodborne Illness Outbreak

• Posted 11/17/07 (Press Release): Foodborne Illness Outbreak
• Posted 11/16/07 (Advisory): Information on Large Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Public
Health
Advisory

Light Brown Apple Moth Spraying

• Posted 1/23/08: John Laird Statement on 2008 LBAM Plans
• Posted 11/9/07 (For Medical Providers): Confidential Report of Known or Suspected Pesticide-Related Illness Form (including CDFA Claim Form)
• Posted 11/2/07: Light Brown Apple Moth Spraying Update

Public
Health
Advisory

Posted 6/21/08: Trabing Fire Public Health Advisory

Public
Health
Advisory

The Summit Fire has deposited large amounts of ash and burned residential structures in and outside of the areas of the wildfires.  The residual ash condition will continue for several weeks, even after the wildfires are extinguished.  To better inform County residents of possible dangers from contact with the ash, County Public Health is providing this advisory for the safe handling and disposal procedures for ash involved debris.

Click here to view or print Advice on Safe Ash Cleanup

Summit Fire Information

Public
Health
Advisory

To prevent heat-related illnesses when temperatures are extremely high, the Public Health Department has compiled these recommendations. These self-help measures are not a substitute for medical care but may help you recognize and respond promptly to warning signs of trouble. Your best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Staying cool and making simple changes in your fluid intake, activities, and clothing during hot weather can help you remain safe and healthy.

Posted 5/13/08: Prevention of Heat Related Illness

CDC Information about Extreme Heat

Flu Vaccine Schedule

Both Santa Cruz and Watsonville Health Centers are currently providing flu vaccines to all members of the community.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

   • Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,

   • Pregnant women,

   • People 50 years of age and older, and

   • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;

   • People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
     

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

   • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)

   • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

   • Healthcare workers.

* Thimerosal-free vaccine is currently unavailable for adults and pregnant woman over 18 years of age but is available for children 6-months to 3 years of age.

Santa Cruz and Watsonville Health Center Flu Vaccination Schedule
Days/Times	Cost	Locations
Monday - Friday (Excluding Holidays) Between 8 - 11:30 AM  and 1 - 4:30 PM No appointment necessary	Cost: $25 (Free for people with Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families or Healthy Kids)	Santa Cruz Health Center 1080 Emeline Ave. Santa Cruz, CA (454-4100)
		Watsonville Health Center 9 Crestview Drive Watsonville, CA (763-8400)

The following sources may also have the flu shot available:  

• Your private medical provider

• Santa Cruz County Visiting Nurse Association, (475-1501 or 728-4701)

• Maxim Flu Shot Locator

Click here for more information about the Flu

Public
Health
Alert

Heat Advisory Information

• Heat Preparedness Information
• Preventing Summer Heat Injuries

Public
Health
Warning

Mussel Quarantine in Effect

Baby Food Warning

Local Public Health Officials Warn Against Consumption of Certain Brands of Baby Foods

Peanut Butter Warning

Local Public Health Officials Warn Against Consumption of Certain Brands of Peanut Butter

Wild Mushroom Warning

Local Public Health Officials Warn Against Consumption of Wild Mushrooms

Public
Health
Alert

Raw Milk E.coli Alert

• Sept. 29, 2006 Public Health Alert: 
  Raw milk, raw cream, and raw colostrum produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County were recalled Friday, September 22

Sept. 14, 2006

Public
Health
Alert

Spinach E. coli Health Alert

• Oct. 30, 2006 Public Health Advisory: 
  E. coli outbreak associated with tainted spinach appears to be over
• Sept. 18, 2006 Public Health Advisory: 
  New Information on E. coli Outbreak Associated with Spinach
• Sept. 16, 2006 Public Health Advisory:
  Local Public Health Response to E. coli Outbreak Associated with Fresh, Bagged Spinach
• Sept. 15, 2006 Public Health Advisory: 
  The State Health Department advises consumers not to eat fresh, bagged spinach because it may be a possible cause of a multistate E. coli outbreak.
• Sept. 14, 2006 Dept. of Health Advisory: California Dept. of Health Warning

Public
Health
Alert

West Nile Virus Update

• August 30, 2006 Public Health Alert: 
  West Nile Virus (WNV) detected in birds from Santa Cruz County

Click here for more information about West Nile Virus

Avian Influenza Updates

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY for all Santa Cruz County Physicians: 
Enhanced Surveillance for Seasonal and Avian Influenza (H5N1)

Click here for more information about Avian/Bird Influenza

Rapid HIV Testing Update

Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency HIV Counseling and Testing Services are offered throughout the Santa Cruz community at various locations. These services are now only available to individuals who have engaged in behavior that places them at high risk for contracting HIV. Individuals who are at low to no risk for HIV transmission will be referred to other low cost options for HIV testing.

The California Department of Health Services has deemed that the following populations are at high risk for HIV transmission:

• Men who have sex with men (MSM)
• Females who have sex with MSM
• Injection Drug Users (IDU’s)
• People who have sex with IDU’s
• Sex partners of HIV positive people
• Sex workers
• Stimulant Drug Users (Methamphetamine, Cocaine, etc.) 

If you are in one of the above groups, HSA’s HIV testing program can offer you a free HIV test. Click here for a list of HIV testing sites

Prop 63 (Mental Health Services Act) Planning Process

• Community Supports and Services Plan Adopted

• Enhanced Surveillance for Seasonal and Avian Influenza (H5N1)
• Infection Control recommendations for avian influenza (H5N1) suspect cases
• Algorithm for submittal of specimens for suspect avian influenza cases
• Screening Form for suspect avian (H5N1) influenza

Change to Reportable Disease List
Change to Reportable Disease List - for Labs