- Author: Chris M. Webb
Part of the County of Ventura Environmental Health Agency, the Vector Control Program (VCP) works to minimize the threat to public health from vectors capable of harboring or transmitting disease to humans.
The VCP monitors potential mosquito breeding sites to reduce the public’s chance of exposure to mosquito borne diseases such as: West Nile Virus, other types of Encephalitis, and Malaria. They also rely on the public to “eliminate backyard mosquito breeding sources and to inform VCP staff of any mosquito problems occurring in an area.” The mosquito complaint hotline is 805-658-4310.
Mosquito fish are successfully used to for mosquito control and are available for free for use in water sources such as ornamental ponds, swimming pools and animal watering troughs. The mosquito fish hotline is 805-662-6582.
In addition to mosquito monitoring and control, this county department works to reduce the likelihood of illness from plague and lyme disease. VCP staff is available for lectures and other outreach education venues. To find out more about the VCP as well as the threat of vector transmitted illnesses in Ventura County please visit their website.
Plague occurs in the foothills, plateaus, mountains and
foggy coastal belt areas in California (shaded areas on the map).
Map image from VCP website.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Started in 2003 as a means to extend information about fire recovery and diabetes in Spanish, UC ANR’s AsisTel now covers more topics in both English and Spanish.
Written in an easy to follow format, much can be learned online. In addition to the website, downloadable brochures and recorded education messages can help reach others without internet access.
At the home page visitors choose to view the site in English or Spanish. After choosing the preferred language, viewers can click on:
- Preventing diabetes
- Healthy weight management
- Farm and worker safety
- Disaster preparedness
Each topic covers a wide range of issues and suggestions for safe and healthful living. Click here to access the AsisTel home page.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Elders, defined as people 60 years and older, are more likely than other age groups to have chronic health conditions and experience challenges performing basic activities of daily living. Understandably, one of the most common worries of middle-aged adults and elders is fear of memory problems with advancing age.
California’s current elder population is 6.4 million. Already statewide elder services are strained and stretched thin. Projections for the future are 9 million elders by 2020, which will be about 20% of our state’s population – an unprecedented proportion.
Luckily much research has been performed to help elders maintain and possibly improve their health, strength and brain function. Nutrition and physical activity help to enhance physical strength, stability, mobility, feelings of wellness and independence.
The current issue of California Agriculture, The Golden State goes gray: What aging will mean for California contains a wonderful collection of articles to help individuals (elderly and otherwise) make good choices for healthy aging. It also offers resources for caregivers, agencies and organizations who serve elders, as well as leaders who plan and prepare for the future.
The following articles are included in this edition:
- Aging baby boomers to challenge Golden State
- Research is needed to assess the unique nutrition and wellness needs of aging Californians
- Memory, brain and aging: The good, the bad and the promising
- Effects of stress on health and aging: Two paradoxes
- Cognitive and motivational factors support health literacy and acquisition of new health information in later life
- Limited-income seniors report multiple chronic diseases in quality-of-life study
- The need for caregiver training is increasing as California ages
For related information please see our previous posts on nutrition, physical activity and financial caregiving.
Photo by Karin Hilderbrand Lau Shutterstock
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s new free publication, Home Gardens and Lead What You Should Know about Growing Plants in Lead-Contaminated Soil provides science-based information to alert gardeners to this potential danger along with practical, low-cost ways to limit potential health risks from lead-contaminated soil.
Topics covered in the publication include:
- Home gardens and lead.
- How does lead get into the soil?
- What are the hazards associated with lead?
- Will plants grow in lead-contaminated soil?
- Is it safe to eat plants that have been grown in lead-contaminated soils?
- What precautions should I take before eating plants grown in lead-contaminated soils?
- Can I do anything to reduce the amount of lead my vegetables take up from the soil?
- Can I reduce or remove the lead in my soil?
- And more
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The California Poison Control System (CPCS) is in place to provide free, professional, emergency poison control information. This service is provided to the general public, health professionals, educators, businesses, public agencies and others within California.
Their emergency information number is 1-800-222-1222. This number will connect you to trained health care professionals with experience handling poison cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Poison cases handled by CPCS can include:
- Swallowing poison
- Eye or skin irritation from toxic substances
- Inhalation of noxious fumes or vapors
- Animal, insect, snake and spider bites
- Food or mushroom poisoning
- Drug reactions
- Attempted suicides or drug overdoses
- Pet poisoning exposures
They have a 24-hour interpreter service, allowing them to provide this important service in over 100 languages 24 hours per day. Free downloadable materials and bulk hard copies (also free) are available in a wide variety of languages.
An important section of the CPCS covers information related to plant poisoning. From their site:
“Indoor and outdoor plants are responsible for a rising number of accidental poisonings. Plant ingestions are among the top five causes of accidental poisonings in children younger than 5 years. Pets are also frequent victims of plant poisonings.”
Take some time today to learn how to minimize or eliminate the potential for poisoning at home, at play, and in the workplace.