NEWS
AUGUST 17, 2012
Long Beach public health officials issue recommendations to prevent flea-borne typhus
The City of Long Beach is alerting the public about flea-borne typhus, a disease transmitted to humans by fleas. In 2012 to date, 11 cases of flea-borne typhus have been reported among Long Beach residents, as compared to nine reported for all of 2011. Officials conducted an investigation into the cases that have been reported and believe that in all cases, exposure to fleas carried by opossums, cats, or rodents may have been the source of infection. Prior to 2006, flea-borne typhus was not known to be present in Long Beach. Flea-borne typhus (murine typhus) is a disease spread by fleas living on rodents, opossums, cats, and raccoons. People get the disease through the bites of infected fleas. Flea-borne typhus is not spread from person to person. The most common symptoms of flea-borne typhus are high fevers, severe headaches, body aches and a rash. The disease is rarely fatal, but people can become sick enough to be hospitalized. Public health officials will continue to monitor and test for evidence of flea-borne typhus in areas throughout the city, according to a press release issued by 5th District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske’s office. Informational materials will also be distributed to inform the public of this disease and how to avoid it. The information can also be found on the City’s Health Department website at wlongbeach.gov/health. Area veterinarians will receive a letter requesting they educate pet owners on the importance of flea control in preventing fleaborne typhus. Long Beach has also issued letters to area healthcare providers providing guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The City’s Health Department urges residents to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors from flea-borne typhus by following a few simple guidelines: • Consult your veterinarian regarding safe flea control medications for your pets • Keep your home and yard in good repair by removing overgrown vegeta-
tion and debris where rodents, opossums, and feral (wild) cats may hide. Keep screens on crawl space covers and vents in good repair. • Avoid contact with animals that carry fleas. Do not attempt to capture and relocate these animals to other areas. • Eliminate all food and water sources around your home, including open trash cans, fallen fruit around the yard, pet food, and bird feeders • When cleaning nesting areas of rats and opossums, spray area with disinfectant, and wear protective clothing and equipment (i.e., mask, goggles, gloves) • When treating your yard or animal harborage areas with insecticides, only use products labeled for flea control and follow all directions
carefully • Contact the City's Animal Care Services by email at animalcare@longbeach.gov, if you have questions about managing opossums and stray or feral cats on your property. More information on urban wildlife is available online at: longbeach.gov/acs/urban_wildlife/defau lt.asp . • Report dead opossums or cats to Animal Care Services for removal by calling (562) 570-PETS (7387). For more information about fleaborne typhus, contact the Health Department's Epidemiology Program at (562) 570-4302. Information is also available online at longbeach.gov/health .
Searching for answers? Source: Schipske’s office
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SIGNAL TRIBUNE
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LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE What US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for children Who Sponsored by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine Where Various Long Beach parks and facilities When Now through Friday, Aug. 17 More Info SFSP intends to feed children from low-income areas who often go hungry during the summer. Children ages 1 to 18 in an eligible area can go to their school, a park or another approved SFSP site to receive free lunches during the school break. See tinyurl.com/LBfood for the schedule, locations and available meals. THE CRYING GAME What Youth theater performance workshop Who Hosted by Public Theatre of Long Beach Where Bungalow Arts Building, 737 Pine Ave. When Monday through Friday between now and Aug. 19 from 3pm to 7pm More Info The workshop covers theater games, stagecraft, and vocal technique; it culminates with a two-day performance of comical melodrama Dogsbreath Deveraux, the Dastardly Doctor. Participation costs $125, and ages 10 to 17 are welcomed. Performances are Aug. 17 through 19. Visit publictheatrelb.org . LET’S GO TO THE BEACH, EACH What Beach cleanup Who Hosted by the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC) Where 1 Granada Ave. When Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9:30am More Info The SCIC is joining Justin Rudd for his monthly “30-Minute Beach Cleanup.” Parking becomes available at 9:30am, with the clean-up itself at 10am. Meet next to the public restrooms. Bags, gloves, door prizes and refreshments will be provided. Email justin@justinrudd.com .
NO OOPS IN THESE ALLEYS What Alley cleanup Who Hosted by the Cal Heights Clean Streets (CHCS) team Where On 36th Street between Brayton and Orange avenues When Saturday, Aug. 18 from 9:30am to 11:30am More Info Join the CHCS team as they clean up alleys and free them from weeds and trash, as per Municipal Code regulations that require clean alleys. After meeting on 36th Street between Brayton and Orange, participants will clean the alleys from Wardlow Road to Bixby Avenue. Light snacks, bags and gloves will be provided. The CHCS team would appreciate participants bringing their own shovels, brooms, weed cutters and other tools. Call Stacey at (562) 981-3257 or email newsletter@calheights.org to RSVP.
EXPAND THE CONVERSATION What 710 Freeway expansion meeting Who Hosted by 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal Where Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave. When Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10am to noon More Info The meeting will inform residents about the environmental impact of the freeway expansion. Ninth district residents will also receive priority registration for the 9th District Harbor Cruise. RSVP at (562) 570-6137 or district9@longbeach.gov .
BE PETTY What 7th annual pet fair Who Hosted by SoCal Animal Response Team (SCART) Where Long Beach Marine Stadium When Sunday, Aug. 19 from 8:30am to 2:30pm More Info This year’s Pet Fair in the Park will newly include the Walk for Pet Preparedness, which begins at 9am and costs $20 (the price includes a goodie bag). The fair will feature disaster-information vendors, pet products, pet foods, opportunity drawings, low-cost dog and cat vaccinations and deworming, microchipping, agility dog demonstrations, food trucks and more. Last year had approximately 50 booths and over 300 attendees. All proceeds support the hosting nonprofit SCART. YOU DON’T KNOW JACK What Book signing Who Hosted by Jack Roberts When Sunday, Aug. 19 from noon to 2pm Where Apostrophe Books, 4712 E. 2nd St. More Info Author Jack Roberts will be signing copies of his new book, The Science of Affirmations.
BABY GOATS GO FOR A RIDE? What Kidical Mass Neighborhood Bike Ride Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) Where Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave. When Sunday, Aug. 19 from 1pm to 3pm More Info After a ride and safety demo by US Olympic cyclist Tony Cruz, kids and adults will bike for roughly two and a half miles, beginning at Los Cerritos Park and heading to Somerset Park for the free 7th District Council Office BBQ and Croquet Tournament. Participants are encouraged to creatively decorate their bikes for a potential prize. Email krista@bixbyknollsinfo.com, visit bixbyknollsinfo.com/kidicalmass.html or call (562) 595-0081.
GEE, GENEALOGICAL? What Monthly meeting Who Hosted by Questing Heirs Genealogical Society Where Resurrection Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 1900 E. Carson St. When Sunday, Aug. 19 beginning at 1:15pm More Info The meeting will feature two talks by speaker Kerry Bartels on military records. A beginning research class commences at 4pm and ends at 5pm. Visit qhgs.info or call (562) 598-3027. ROCK THE ROCK What Recognition and celebration Who Hosted by the Long Beach Branch of the NAACP When Sunday, Aug. 19 at 3:30pm Where McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. More Info The Long Beach Branch of the NAACP will recognize THE ROCK Christian Fellowship Senior Pastor Gregory Sanders for his work in Long Beach.
A GOOD CASE OF THE BLUES What Concerts in the Park(ing Lot) Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) When Monday, Aug. 20 at 6:30pm Where Turner Chiropractic, 3530 Atlantic Ave. More Info The BKBIA has planned two concerts for this summer. This one will feature live music from The Bernie Pearl Blues Band, featuring Sista Sherry Pruitt. Baja Sonora will provide dinner. The concert is free and open to all ages. Bring a chair and park on the north side of Turner Chiropractic. RVSP at info@bixbyknollsinfo.com .