Anyone exposed should seek medical treatment; vaccine is available to prevent potentially deadly  infectious disease

December 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Marco Fagoada, a 30-year-old Chula Vista resident enrolled as a graduate student in San Diego State University’s Latin American Studies program, died Monday night from meningococcal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides, County Health and Human Services reports.

According to the Medical Examiner, Fagoada became ill on Sunday, December 9 and went to a clinc on December 10 with shortness of breath and a high fever. He was transported to Scripps Mercy Chula Vista emergency room, where is suffered cardiorespiratory arrest.  Despite aggressive medical intervention, he was pronounced dead soon after.

December 6, 2012  (Campo)--A mouse trapped in Campo during routine monitoring has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, officials from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health said Thursday.

County officials said it was normal to find rodents carrying hantavirus in San Diego County, but that they rarely posed a threat to people if they remained in the wild. However, they said people should protect themselves whenever cleaning up after rodents if they found them in their homes or on their properties.

December 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Heartland Fire & Rescue and Rady Children’s Hospital offer the following advice to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Burns: The typical burn injury seen during the holidays is a scald.  When adults enjoy hot liquids during colder weather, a small child may reach up for your cup and spill hot liquid, such as hot chocolate, coffee or soup. Spilling this scalding hot liquid onto their face, neck, hands and arms. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burns according to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA). 

Grief experts provide tips on coping with the holidays after the loss of a loved one

November 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- Signs of the approaching holiday season have descended upon the general public through vibrant store displays, jingling television and radio commercials, and a rush of decorative party invitations from employers, friends and family.  

By Faith Franz

November 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Very few people will ever face pleural mesothelioma. Only around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year – but for these Americans, the symptoms of their disease can interfere with daily life.

By Nadin Abbott

November  20, 2012 (La Mesa)—Some workers arrived after their shifts ended; others came from home to join a march yesterday afternoon outside Grossmont Hospital. All were determined to draw public attention to their efforts to gain better working conditions and compensation.

United Healthcare Employees, affiliated with the AFL-CIO,continues contract negotiations for workers contracted by Sharp Healthcare through Sodexo to manage food services and custodial work.

“10 Holiday Warning Signs” Your Senior Is In Trouble

By Stacey Hilton

November 16, 2012 (San Diego) -- The holiday season may be one of the few times local families get together and realize their elderly loved ones are in deep trouble and need immediate help. Adult children who don’t live nearby often come home to holiday heartbreak with deteriorating relatives they aren’t prepared to handle. So this holiday, the family might gather around the kitchen table – not only for turkey and treats, but also for a talk—a big talk—that maps out a plan to care for aging relatives.

IRRI to be the hub of regeneration research on heart disease in the San Diego region.

November 14, 2012 (San Diego) -- The emerging field tissue regeneration, which harnesses the power and healing potential of stem cells, is an area that scientists around the world are turning their attention to. One of the foremost leaders in this area, Mark Sussman from San Diego State University, today announced the opening of SDSU’s new Integrated Regenerative Research Institute (IRRI) to help advance this area of research in San Diego.

November 12, 2012 (San Diego) --  In summer of 2010, the County launched Live Well, San Diego!, a long-term plan to improve the health and well-being of all San Diego County residents. Today, the County Board of Supervisors received a report on the impact of Live Well, San Diego! on the region during the initiative’s second year. 

“The County is committed to improving the health and well-being of the region,” said Chairman Ron Roberts, County Board of Supervisors. “Live Well, San Diego! has made considerable progress and together we are building momentum to bring about positive change for residents.”

Proceeds to Benefit Hospital’s Future Heart and Vascular Center

November 2, 2012 La Mesa). –  The Grossmont Hospital Foundation hosts its 27th Annual Gala on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. The Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year benefiting Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s services and programs. Proceeds will support a new, state-of-the-art heart and vascular center at the hospital.

“By rejecting the Attorney General’s argument that patients who utilize dispensaries must collaborate…to cultivate the marijuana they purchase, the court is establishing a clear standard for dispensaries across the state.” –Joe Elford, Chief Counsel, Americans for Safe Access

By Nadin Abbott

October 26, 2012 (San Diego)—On Wednesday, the Fourth District Court of Appeal for California issued a unanimous ruling overturning the conviction of Jovan Jackson, the operator of Answerdam, a medical marijuana dispensary in Kearny Mesa. 

The decision is being hailed by medical marijuana advocates as a landmark decision that could have far-reaching impacts for medical marijuana patients and dispensaries.

Bats and Other Wild Animals Could Carry Rabies

October 22, 2012 (San Diego) – With Halloween around the corner, fake bats are likely to be present at people’s homes. However, if you come across a real bat at home or any other place, health officials urge you to stay away from it.

Bats, as well as skunks, raccoons, and other wild animals can carry rabies, and touching them—even when dead—can expose you to the deadly disease.

October 12, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall.  Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.  Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.

SSDSU and Olympic Gold Medalist Keshia Baker partner with the new Helen Knoll Foundation to promote breast cancer prevention

October 10, 2012 (San Diego)– San Diego State University will co-host the “ThinkPink@SDSU” breast cancer health fair with the Helen Knoll Foundation. The event is designed to educate women aged 18 to 40 about their breast cancer prevention and early detection options. Breast cancer is 98% treatable if caught in the early stages.

90% of dads who suffered football-related concussions want their kids to play tackle football; 43% of football player dads say there’s too much hype over concussions

October 9, 2012 (Tampa Bay, Florida) -- Despite increasing awareness about concussion dangers for young athletes, a new national survey reveals 90% of men who played tackle football at the high school level or higher who suffered or suspected they suffered a concussion want their sons to play tackle football.  Not only that, nearly half (43%) believe there is too much hype over concussions.