Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume it and to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact the company directly at (207) 669-5505, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

To read the full recall notice, complete with product lot numbers click here.

1.    PediaCare Multi-Symptom Cold 4oz.
UPC # 3 0045-0556-05 9
2.    PediaCare Long Acting Cough 4oz.
UPC# 3 0045-0465-04 7
3.    PediaCare Decongestant 4oz.
UPC# 3 0045-0554-04 8
4.    PediaCare Allergy and Cold 4oz.
UPC# 3 0045-0552-04 4

Blacksmith Brands initiated the recall as a precautionary step because the products were made at the McNeil Consumer Healthcare plant that has been temporarily shut down (Please see Recall on Children’s Tylenol). A recent FDA inspection at that facility found serious problems in meeting the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice requirements.

The recall was not initiated as a result of any consumer reports of adverse events and no consumer complaints have been received about the safety or purity of the products. While the recall was not initiated as a result of either any consumer reports of adverse events or complaints with respect to the PediaCare products, tiny particles have been found in other non-PediaCare products which were manufactured at the McNeil plant.

Items not involved in this recall are PediaCare Allergy 4oz., PediaCare Gentle Vapors Plug in Units, and PediaCare Gentle Vapors refills, all of which are produced in other facilities.

Consumers with questions may contact Blacksmith Brands during normal business hours, 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST (6:00 am-2:00 pm PST), at (888) 474-3099. More information is also available on the Blacksmith website.

There have been 13 cases of Pertussis, more commonly known as Whooping Cough, reported among Monterey County residents this year.  This increase in pertussis activity is also occuring statewide, with four infants having died in California since January, all less than 3 months of age.

State and local health officials are concerned that 2010 will be a peak year for pertussis and recommend immediate preventive action.

Symptoms of Pertussis

• Onset begins with cold-like symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, and occasional cough)
• Fever is not common
• Illness can last 6-10 weeks with cough becoming severe after 1-2 weeks.
• Spasms of severe coughing are followed by a sudden deep inspiration, resulting in a “whooping” noise.
• Infants, younger than 6 months may gag, gasp, or stop breathing and may not “whoop.
• Post-cough vomiting is common for all ages.

The following groups of individuals should become vaccinated

• Children should get 5 doses of DTaP Vaccine at the recommended interval of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years

• Adolescents 11-18 should receive a Tdap booster

• Unvaccinated adults who meet the following criteria

1. mothers before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or immediately after delivery
2. Fathers or other household members/caregivers
3. Healthcare workers, especially if they work with children

Take the following actions immediately if you suspect pertussis

1. Cover your cough and avoid contact with unvaccinated infants, young children, and other high risk populations.
2. Seek medical attention as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment

Providers can use these flyers, provided by the health department, to post in offices or during outreach for client education

Pertussis and Pregnancy (English)
Pertussis and Pregnancy (Spanish)
Pertussis Childhood Immunization (English)
Pertussis Childhood Immunization (Spanish)

The Monterey County Health Department would like to remind residents about the continuous health threat presented by rabid animals in our community.

Rabies is common in the following local wildlife:

• skunks
• bats
• foxes

Household pets like dogs and cats are at risk for contracting rabies from these wildlife animals, especially if they are not yet protected by a rabies vaccine.  Rabies vaccines can be obtained at:

Monterey County Animal Services
160 Hitchcock Road
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 769-8850
Monday-Saturday 12:00 pm-5:30 pm

The rabies virus can be passed to humans and household pets by a bite from a rabid animal, or if the saliva of an infected animal gets into a fresh scratch, break in the skin, or mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth an nose, however transmission is less common this way.

Monterey County residents should take the following actions to keep themselves safe:

• Avoid leaving pet food outside as it encourages wildlife activity around your home.
• Avoid contact with any of the wildlife listed above.
• Dogs and cats must be kept current on rabies vaccinations.
• Avoid leaving pets unattended out doors.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces such as homes, churches, or schools.
• Do not attempt to seperate animals that are fighting.

Contact the Health Department’s Animal Services (831) 769-8850 ext 3 IMMEDIATELY for the following:

• If you or your pet have had contact with any of the above animals or a domesticate animal you believe to be infected with rabies.
• It is highly unusual for skunks, bats, raccons, or opossums to be seen during clear, sunny, daylight hours.  If you witness this or any other suspicious behavior, such as a staggering or abnormally agressive animal.
• Wild animals found dead or ill.

Rabies FAQ’s

• How soon after an exposure should I seek medical attention?

Contact your physician IMMEDIATELY as medical assistance should be obtained as soon as possible after an exposure. There have been no vaccine failures in the US (i.e., someone developed rabies) when postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was given promptly and appropriately after exposure. But again, once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal. Do not delay treatment.

• What medical attention do I need if I am exposed to rabies?

According to the CDC, one of the most effective methods to decrease the chances for infection involves thorough washing of the wound with soap and water. Specific medical attention for someone exposed to rabies is called postexposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP consists of a regime of 1 dose of immune globulin and 5 doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. This regiment should be started as soon as possible after exposure. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in your arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine (not in the stomach anymore).

• What happens if my pet (cat, dog) is bitten by a wild animal?

Contact your veterinarian and the Monterey County Animal Services immediately! Any animal bitten or scratched by either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies. California State law requires that any domestic animal exposed to rabies be placed into quarantine based on whether it has a current rabies vaccination and/or the wild animal is available for testing. Animal services is the agency that would determine the protocol to be followed for each case.

This information is available as an English and Spanish flyer to post on information boards or distribute to community members.

No adverse effects, illness or injuries have been reported to date.

To read the full list of recalled products, click here.

Natural Wellness has recalled the product known as MasXtreme as the product poses a possible health risk to some consumers because of undeclared ingredients.

MasXtreme is sold over the counter in blister packs containing one (1) capsule. (Lot# 911035) The product is distributed nationwide by Natural Wellness. The product has been marketed as a dietary supplement and promoted for increasing sexual desire and sexual performance.

To read the full notice click here.

Monterey County Department of Health has released the following statement regarding the spring flu season:

Influenza-like activity in Monterey County is currently lower than in previous months this season.  However, it still remains high so late season vaccination for Pandemic (H1N1) influenza is important.  All individuals should be vaccinated at this time regardless of health status. Mild illness can be prevented and vaccination will reduce infection to our vulnerable populations.  Testing is key in monitoring of influenza activity. Monterey County continues to recommend testing hospitalized cases.

Rapid and aggressive public health action is needed to respond to measles cases.
It is critical that providers report suspect measles cases to the
Monterey County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit (831-755-4521)

There have been four confirmed cases of measles diagnosed in the San Francisco Bay Area within the last two weeks.  Three individuals (one adult and two unvaccinated toddlers) had recently traveled to Europe and Asia.  The fourth case (an unvaccinated adult) had no history of travel and no known link to the other three cases, raising concern of local transmission.   Because measles is extremely contagious and can be life threatening to susceptible individuals we are alerting clinicians and infection control professionals and requesting they follow these recommendations.

Monterey County Residents Should:

1. Get Vaccinated!

• Children should get 2 doses of MMR Vaccine: The first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age
• Adults, 18 years of age or older or who was born after 1956 should get at least one does of MMR vaccine unless they are certain they have had the disease. Two doses are recommended for health care workers, students, educators, and international travelers.

2.  Call their health care provider immediately if they experience the following symptoms:

• Onset of mild fever accompanied by a head cold (nasal congestion and “stuffiness”) and inflamation of the eye lid lining, which may or may not be associated with pain and crusty discharge.
• Development of a higher fever, could reach up to 104-105 degrees, accompanied by a rash.

Actions requested of all clinicians:

1. Be alert for cases of measles. Consider measles in any patient with fever and rash, especially in people with known exposure to the San Francisco index cases, with recent international travel or with exposure to a visitor from abroad, or a US resident who has recently returned from international travel.
2. Implement airborne precautions immediately for all patients with fever and morbilliform and/or vesicular rash: identify, isolate and provide a facemask for the patient to wear.
3. Report suspect cases to the Monterey County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit (CDU) at 831-755-4521; in addition, if the case is or was in the hospital, report to your hospital Infection Control Professional (ICP).
4. Coordinate diagnostic testing (IgM and IgG) with the Communicable Disease Unit.  Using a commercial laboratory may delay diagnosis.
5. Work with your ICP (if in a hospital) or the CDU (if in other settings) to identify exposed susceptible contacts and assess them for post-exposure prophylaxis and the need for exclusion from work or quarantine.

For more information view the released Health Advisory.  A printable Flyer is also available for service providers to distribute throughout their organizations.