Visit UWSandyRecovery.org to donate to the Fund. You can also use your phone to text RECOVERY to 52000 to make a $10 donation.

There are three things we’d like you to consider doing to help out:

1. On your website, add a link to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund – www.UWSandyRecovery.org, and information about the text-to-give option – text RECOVERY to 52000 to make a $10 donation

2. Promote the Fund link and text-to-give option in social media (use #sandyfund)

3. Promote the use of 2-1-1 and 211us.org for people seeking help as well as seeking opportunities to volunteer

More Information:
• Read the Press Release about the Fund sent by United Way of New York City sent today.

• 2-1-1s: Connect People with Human Services as well as Volunteer Opportunities
Hurricane Sandy has battered countless United Way communities up and down the Eastern Seabord and across the Northeast. United Way 2-1-1s have been activated by Governors or State Offices of Emergency Management in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia and North Carolina. Please encourage your family and friends affected by this storm to reach out to United Way 2-1-1 for assistance, and whether people are affected or not, 2-1-1 can help connect people with volunteer opportunities. Visit 211us.org to connect with your 2-1-1 online and follow @211us on Twitter.

If you have questions about the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, please send an email to Elwanda Young, United Way of New York City at eyoung@uwnyc.org. You can also contact Linda Daily at United Way Worldwide – linda.daily@uniteday.org, +1 703.836.7112 x474.

Thank you for your support. LIVE UNITED
Stacey Stewart
President, United Way U.S.A.

Summer has arrived bringing us warm weather and sunshine. As you are out enjoying summer time activities, the Monterey County Health Department would like to remind you that sun safety is important for you and your loved ones. It is not even necessary to be at the pool, beach, or even on vacation to get too much sun. Everyone’s skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they are outdoors.

With summer here, Monterey County residents will spend more time outdoors enjoying the sunny weather. “The Department recognizes the importance of outdoor physical activity,”  Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Interim Monterey County Health Officer said, “but we encourage people to exercise precaution when spending time in the sun in order to reduce their risk of sunburn which may lead to the development of skin problems, including cancer.”

Of special concern to the Department is children’s sun safety. Children spend a great deal of time in the sun, getting an average of three times more exposure to the sun’s rays than adults. Just a few serious sunburns can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. It is critical to create positive sun safety habits at a young age.

The Department staff offers the following sun safety tips:

• Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm.
• Always wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses.
• Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
• Sunscreens need to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever outdoors and reapply often.
• For children, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• And remember, stay in the shade whenever possible.

For more information on sun safety measures and skin cancer prevention, visit the Monterey County Health Department website at www.mtyhd.org. More summer safety resources are available on the Department’s Summer Time Safety webpage.

The previous notification, with date code of “12 7 11” was incorrect, the revised date code, which is on a white sticker applied to the packaging, reads “11 6 11.”

United Natural Foods today announced a correction to its previously announced recall of selected types of Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas, specifically to correct the previously stated date code of 12 7 11 to the revised date code of 11 6 11.  United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling this product dated 11 6 11 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

The following product has been recalled:
Gentes Foods 10 oz Gordita Black Bean Tortillas UPC 618032102021, date code “12 7 11”

The affected product was distributed to the Safeway and Pak N Save stores in California listed below.

• Safeway #1110 — 1546 N Main, Salinas
• Safeway #2840 — 2010 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
• Pak N Save #3116 — 2255 Gellert Blvd, S San Francisco
• Pak N Save #3125 — 3889 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville

The date code is on a white sticker applied to the packaging that reads “12 7 11.”  This date code sold at other retail outlets has not been affected.

Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas are packed as six tortillas in a vacuum packaged clear sleeve. The package is approximately 10oz in size and an orange label is on a clear wrapper with white lettering.

No illnesses have been reported to date

Contacts:
Hugh F. Stallworth, MD, MPH
Health Officer    755-8942

Lisa B. Hernandez, MD, MPH
Deputy Health Officer   755-4585

Taylor Farms Retail has recalled 3,265 cases of various salad blends with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella following a random test conducted on a finished package of spinach by the State of Washington Department of Agriculture.

The products were distributed in 15 states including California and sold in various retail supermarkets.

For a list of brands and item descriptions, visit the Monterey County Health Department Website.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items.

Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the products and should dispose of them. Consumers may contact Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. for further information at 1-877-323-7374.

Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of this product should contact a health care provider.

Salmonella

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain from 6 to 72 hours after eating contaminated items. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.  Consumers exhibiting these signs after consuming affected products should contact their health care provider immediately.

CooperVision has initiated a worldwide recall of certain lots of Avaira™ Toric contact lenses. To date, the recall has impacted approximately 600,000 Avaira Toric contact lenses in the U.S.

The recall was initiated due to the presence of a residue on certain lots of Avaira Toric lenses, which may cause hazy vision, discomfort, or eye injuries requiring medical treatment. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Since the initiation of the recall, the company has received some additional complaints of severe eye pain. Avaira Toric contact lens wearers that experience any symptoms should stop wearing the lenses immediately and speak with their eye care practitioner.

If you wear Avaira Toric contact lenses and experience any symptoms stop wearing the lenses immediately. Contact your eye care practitioner for advice.

If you wear Avaira Toric contact lenses and are not experiencing symptoms:

•Go to the CooperVision recall web page at www.coopervision.com/recall, and enter the lot number of your package to determine whether your lenses have been recalled.
•You may contact CooperVision on their  toll-free consumer hotline (1-855-526-6737)
•If your lenses have been recalled, immediately remove your existing lenses, discontinue lens wear; and return your lenses to your eye care practitioner or point of purchase. Contact lenses are medical devices and can only be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed eye care professional.

When:     3:00 pm, September 27, 2011

Where:    Stillwater Cove, Pebble Beach

What:  Stillwater Cove has been posted with an advisory due to high indicator bacteria found in samples taken 9/26/2011.  The beach will remain posted until samples indicate that indicator bacteria are at a safe level for recreational water contact according to state guidelines.

Higher levels of bacteria have been associated with the increased potential risk of illness. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations Section 7958 establishes bacterial standards for ocean water at beaches that are 1) visited by more than 50,000 people annually; 2) located adjacent to a storm drain (i.e. culvert, creek, or stream etc.) that flows during the summer. Therefore, when bacterial levels exceed bacterial standards an advisory is issued and beaches are posted with an advisory notice.

There are various sources of bacteria such as marine life (i.e. seals, otters, and birds) and other animals; rainfall runoff; storm drains; and human activity. Rainfall is associated with increased bacterial levels due to runoff particularly in the area of man-made and natural storm drains such as culverts, streams and rivers.

It is recommended that you do not swim in or have contact with storm drain water.  Bacteria, viruses, protozoa or chemicals may contaminate storm drain water, and contact with storm drain water may cause illness.

For more information on Monterey Peninsula Beaches please call the Hotline at (800) 347-6363 or visit our web site at www.mtyhd.org.

Contact:         John Ramirez
Director of Environmental Health
Phone: (831) 647-7654
Beach Hotline (800) 347-6363

View the entire release

Contacts:

Hugh F. Stallworth, MD, MPH                Lisa B. Hernandez, MD, MPH

Health Officer    755-8942                       Deputy Health Officer   755-4585

What: Monterey State Beach has been posted with an advisory due to high indicator bacteria found in samples taken 9/12/2011.  The beaches will remain posted until samples indicate that indicator bacteria are at a safe level for recreational water contact according to state guidelines.

Higher levels of bacteria have been associated with the increased potential risk of illness. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations Section 7958 establishes bacterial standards for ocean water at beaches that are 1) visited by more than 50,000 people annually; 2) located adjacent to a storm drain (i.e. culvert, creek, or stream etc.) that flows during the summer. Therefore, when bacterial levels exceed bacterial standards an advisory is issued and beaches are posted with an advisory notice.

There are various sources of bacteria such as marine life (i.e. seals, otters, and birds) and other animals; rainfall runoff; storm drains; and human activity. Rainfall is associated with increased bacterial levels due to runoff particularly in the area of man-made and natural storm drains such as culverts, streams and rivers.

It is recommended that you do not swim in or have contact with storm drain water.  Bacteria, viruses, protozoa or chemicals may contaminate storm drain water, and contact with storm drain water may cause illness.

For more information on Monterey Peninsula Beaches please call the Hotline at (800) 347-6363 or visit our web site at www.mtyhd.gov.

Contact: John Ramirez
Director of Environmental Health
(831) 647-7654
Beach Hotline (800) 347-6363

Reports indicate an increase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections.

Monterey County Health Department is advising people to avoid consuming raw or undercooked oysters (such as those that are lightly steamed, marinated, or prepared as Rockefeller).  This is in response to several individuals becoming ill after eating raw oysters served or purchased in Monterey County.  The reported illnesses are associated with the naturally occurring bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vibrio), which is most prevalent during summer months when water temperatures are most favorable for its growth.

The majority of illnesses that occur from the consumption of raw oysters are not life-threatening to the general population.  Severe disease occurs most commonly in individuals with weakened immune systems and certain medical conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, and stomach disorders.  The symptoms are watery diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.  Usually these symptoms occur within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion of raw oysters and last no more than seven days.  However, symptoms may progress very quickly among high-risk individuals and become life-threatening.  Anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms after consuming raw oysters should contact their health care provider.

It is important to stress that V. parahaemolyticus is naturally present in marine waters and does not imply sewage contamination.  Rising temperatures of ocean water contribute to an overgrowth of V. parahaemolyticus.  Although oysters should always be obtained from reputable sources, eating oysters from “clean” waters or in restaurants with high turnover does not provide protection.  Eating raw oysters with hot sauce or while drinking alcohol does not kill the bacteria, either.  Only heat can destroy the bacteria.

Consumers are encouraged to always thoroughly wash their hands after handling raw shellfish and to fully cook shellfish before eating.  Individuals with a chronic disease or who have a weaken immune system should be especially careful about handling or eating raw shellfish.  While the Health Department strongly discourages the public from consuming raw and undercooked oysters at this time, if consumers choose to consume oysters, they should ensure the oysters are cooked thoroughly as follows.

In the shell:
• Discard oysters with shells already opened.
• Boil oysters until the shells open. Once open boil for an additional 3-5 minutes.
• Steamer – add oysters to steaming water and cook live oysters until the shells open. Once open, steam for another 4-9 minutes.
• Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.

Shucked Oysters:
• Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or until the edges curl.
• Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes.
• Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

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Contacts:  Hugh F. Stallworth, MD, MPH                Lisa B. Hernandez, MD, MPH
Health Officer    755-8942                                            Deputy Health Officer   755-4585

Individuals may more fully enjoy the warm weather and avoid heat related illness
by drinking plenty of water, staying cool, and making a few changes in their activities.

The forecast for inland portions of Monterey County for today and tomorrow is for temperatures in the triple digits. The Monterey County Health Department would like to remind you that the best defense against heat related illness is prevention.

Even short periods of hot temperatures can cause health problems.  Overexertion on a hot day, staying too long out in the sun or spending too much time in an over-heated space can all lead to heat related problems.  Monterey County Health Department’s Health Officer, Dr. Hugh Stallworth would like to remind individuals to “drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, use sunscreen of at least a SPF of 15 and never to leave any person or pet in a closed, parked vehicle.”

When the temperature is in the high 90’s electric fans may provide comfort but they do not prevent heat related illnesses.  Even a few hours a day in an air-conditioned building will help. Consider a visit to the mall or the library for a few hours.

Some health conditions such as obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and drug and alcohol use can make it harder for the body to stay cool.  Check on the elderly and people with health conditions twice a day during a heat wave.

The following tips are not a substitute for medical care, but may help people avoid heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Individuals are urged to get medical attention if they or a family member have symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, fainting or confusion while in the sun or after being out in the heat.

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Contacts:  Hugh F. Stallworth, MD, MPH                Lisa B. Hernandez, MD, MPH
Health Officer    755-8942                                            Deputy Health Officer   755-4585