Datos saludables
La educación para la salud juega un papel importante en nuestro trabajo como personal de salud pública y proporcionó información de salud importante a nuestra comunidad. Es por eso que hemos incluido este recurso en nuestra página web para que el público pueda tener acceso a algunas de nuestras hojas informativas más populares e información solicitada. Los temas van desde las enfermedades crónicas que afectan a nuestra comunidad, como el asma y la diabetes, hasta los insectos, la rabia y la sarna.
Hemos hecho todo lo posible para que nuestras hojas informativas y folletos estén disponibles tanto en inglés como en español. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la información contenida en las hojas informativas, o necesita información adicional, llame al teléfono que se incluye en la parte inferior de cada publicación.
Key Points:
- The risk of getting sick with Ebola is very low in the U.S. and in Imperial County.
- Ebola patients can only spread the disease when they have symptoms.
- A person must have direct contact with a patient`s body fluids to be infected.
- The department is taking safety measures to prevent its spread in Imperial County if a case were to come here.
1. What is Ebola?
Ebola is a rare disease that has caused outbreaks (more disease than usual) in West Africa. Right now, there is a large Ebola outbreak in countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
2. How does Ebola spread?
Ebola spreads from person-to-person by direct contact with a patient’s body fluids such as saliva, blood, vomit, urine, feces, and sweat. The virus gets into the body through broken skin or mucous membranes (spongy skin like the kind you find in your nose or mouth). Ebola can also be spread by infected objects, such as needles, that have been tainted with body fluids. Ebola can also spread after death, when preparing the patient’s body for burial. Ebola can’t spread through the air, in food, or water.
It takes 8–10 days for most people to get symptoms, but it can range from 2–21 days. Patients can spread the virus while they have a fever or other symptoms. People who don’t have symptoms can’t spread Ebola.
3. What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Ebola can cause these signs of disease:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Abnormal bleeding
4. How is Ebola treated?
There is no specific medicine or vaccine for Ebola. Instead, treatment focuses on keeping the patient alive by giving fluids and managing the serious health problems that can happen.
5. What can you do to prevent Ebola?
There is very low to no risk of spread to the public. The key is to avoid contact with anyone who is sick with Ebola. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention ask that the U.S. public avoid unnecessary travel to countries in West Africa that are currently affected by Ebola, since travelers may not have access to the health care they need if they get sick. If you recently visited one of these countries, and had contact with someone who had Ebola, see your doctor and mention your recent travel. Even if you did not have contact with someone who had Ebola, take your temperature two times each day. If you get a fever or other symptoms within 21 days of your return to the U.S., call your doctor and mention your recent travel.
6. What is the Public Health Department doing to prevent Ebola in Imperial County?
Right now there are no cases of Ebola in Imperial County. We are taking safety measures to prevent and stop its spread in Imperial County if a case were to come here. For example, we are working with:
- Doctors and hospitals in the County, the CDC and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to find anyone who could have the disease.
- Local Border and Customs Officials to identify any person with signs of disease coming from the outbreak area.
- Doctors and hospitals in Imperial County to make sure they use good infection control practices to prevent the possible spread of Ebola if they see a patient who may have the illness.
Want to learn more about the current outbreak?
For more information about the past and current cases and deaths by country visit:
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California Department of Public Health
http://cdph.ca.gov/programs/cder/Pages/Ebola.aspx -
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/guinea/index.html -
World Health Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en
Additional Resources:
Info on Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF):
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) continues to be a serious health issue in Baja California and parts of eastern Arizona. Dogs are the primary hosts for ticks that carry the disease. While no new cases of RMSF have been reported in Imperial County in 2015, it is important to eliminate ticks on pets and from in and around homes to prevent exposure. For more information about the signs and symptoms of RMSF, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/symptoms/index.html
Preventing Ticks on Your Pet:
Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tickborne diseases. It’s important to use a tick preventive product on your dog because vaccines are not available for all the tick-borne diseases that can affect your pet. A variety of products are available such as shampoos and drops that can be applied on the dog’s skin to protect your pet. To reduce the chances that a tick will transmit disease to you or your pets take the following steps:
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Check your pets for ticks often, especially after they spend time outdoors.
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If you find a tick on your dog, remove it right away.
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Ask your veterinarian to conduct a tick check at each exam.
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Reduce tick habitat in your yard.
For additional information on tick prevention and tick repellents for your dog contact your veterinarian.
Información acerca de la Fiebre Maculosa de las Montanas Rocosas:
La Fiebre Maculosa de las Montañas Rocosas (RMSF por sus siglas en ingles) (también conocida como Rickettsia) continua siendo un serio problema de salud en el estado de Baja California, México y partes del este de del estado de Arizona en Estados Unidos. Los perros son los huéspedes primarios que pueden traer esta enfermedad. No ha habido casos de RMSF en el Condado Imperial en el 2015, sin embargo es importante eliminar las garrapatas en las mascotas así como dentro y alrededor de las casas para prevenir exponer a las personas. Para mayores informes acerca de las garrapatas visite: http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/especialesCDC/GarrapatasPrevencion/
Prevenga las garrapatas en su mascota:
Los perros son muy susceptibles a las garrapatas y las enfermedades que previenen de estas. Es importante utilizar un producto para prevenir las garrapatas en su perro porque no hay vacunas para todas las enfermedades que podrían ser causadas por las garrapatas y que pueden afectar a su mascota. Hay una variedad de productos disponibles como shampoo y gotas que se pueden aplicar a la piel del animal para protegerlo. Para reducir la posibilidad que las garrapatas le transmitan una enfermedad a usted o a sus mascotas:
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Revise sus macotas con frecuencia, especialmente después de haber estado afuera.
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Si encuentra una garrapata en su perro, quítela inmediatamente.
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Pídale a su veterinario que revise a su animal cada vez que lo examine.
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Reduzca los lugares donde las garrapatas puedan esconderse en el jardín.
Para mayores informes sobre la prevención de garrapatas o acerca de los repelentes consulte a su veterinario.
Ticks and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Information:
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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are alerting the public of the potential to contract Zika virus while traveling abroad. Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, similar to West Nile virus or dengue fever. While illness is usually mild, and severe disease requiring hospitalization uncommon, there is a possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects. CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor Zika virus transmission and potential links between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and birth defects.
What is Zika?
Zika is a disease caused by the Zika virus that is spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. Since the discovery, there has been an outbreak in Brazil with reports of pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and pregnancy complications.
What are the symptoms of Zika?
About one in five people infected with Zika virus will get sick. For people who get sick, the illness is usually mild. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika virus include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Joint Pain
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
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Who is at risk of being infected?
Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area where Zika virus is found and has not already been infected with Zika virus is at risk for infection, including pregnant women.
Does Zika virus infection in pregnant women cause birth defects?
There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly (a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age) and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:
Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):
Consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.
Women who are trying to become pregnant:
Before you travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection. Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partners. Zika can be passed through sex, even if the person does not have symptoms at the time.
What can you do to prevent Zika?
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
- Check your yard weekly for water-filled containers.
- Throw away or recycle water-holding containers that are not needed.
- If empty containers or large objects, such as boats or old appliances must be stored, they should be covered, turned over or placed under a roof that does not allow them to fill with water.
- Clean and scrub bird baths and pet-watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants and flower pots. Check that gutters are not holding water and cover rain barrels with tight screening so that mosquitoes cannot enter.
- Fill tree holes and other cavities in plants with sand or soil.
- Check for hidden bodies of water such as wells, septic tanks, manholes or clogged drains, etc.
- Prevent sexual transmission of Zika by using a condom or not having sex.
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Contact Vector Control at 442-265-1888 if you detect unusual numbers of mosquitoes or you are being bitten by mosquitoes during the day.
What is the Public Health Department doing to prevent Zika in Imperial County?
Right now there are no cases of Zika in Imperial County. The Department is taking safety measures to prevent and stop its spread in Imperial County if a case is confirmed here. The following activities are taking place:
- Public health staff is working with doctors, clinics and hospitals in the County to assist clinicians with identifying suspect cases and to ensure that they report cases to Public Health.
- Public health staff is working with community groups and organizations to share information about Zika virus and mosquito prevention.
- Vector staff is conducting surveillance and mosquito abatement throughout the county.
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Key Points:
- Zika virus has been reported in returning travelers and local transmission of Zika has been reported in Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and America Samoa.
- No vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus disease.
- Zika is preventable by protecting yourself and family from mosquito bites.
- Women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and their male partners should postpone travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
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Related Links:
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
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Additional Resources:
- Zika Virus Fact Sheet
- Zika Virus Fact Sheet (Spanish)
- Zika FAQ
- Mosquito Bite Prevention
- Mosquito Bite Prevention (Spanish)
- Aedes aegypti Fact Sheet