Public Health Status Update for 10/18/2024

Marin County Public Health Status Update for October 18, 2024, includes Update: Bird Flu (H5N1); Why and When to Vaccinate?; Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases; Marin Humane Society’s New Platform for Dog Licensing; ShakeOut: Earthquake Safety and Preparedness; Homelessness in Marin County; MCCT Women's Health and Wellness Day; and Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance.

The Marin County Public Health Status Update is released on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month to provide news and resources concerning public health priorities.

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Update: Bird Flu (H5N1)

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed a sixth human case of bird flu. The risk to the general public is still low, but people who interact with infected animals are at higher risk. So far, there is no known link between the cases, suggesting the virus spreads only from animals to humans. All cases involved contact with animals at different farms, and the individuals experienced mild symptoms (e.g., conjunctivitis), but none were hospitalized. Marin County Public Health continues to monitor the situation with state, regional and federal partners.

Why and When to Vaccinate?

October is the perfect time to vaccinate against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu and RSV. As temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors, the risk of transmission increases. Vaccination helps protect you and those around you, especially vulnerable populations such as young children and older adults. By getting vaccinated this month, you’re not just safeguarding your health, you’re also contributing to community immunity and a healthier winter season. Visit the Marin HHS Vaccine Finder webpage to find a vaccine near you.

Marin Humane Society’s New Platform for Dog Licensing

Marin Humane Society launched a new, easy-to-use platform for dog licensing in Marin County. Rabies vaccinations and dog licenses are mandatory in Marin County. Rabies vaccinations for pets prevent them from getting the virus and spreading it to others. Pet licenses help ensure that more pets are vaccinated and make it easier to track and manage pet populations. Residents can visit marinhumane.org/dog-licensing to buy a new license or renew an existing one.

Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Earlier this month, the Bay Area experienced higher temperatures than expected, setting new record highs for more than a week. These warmer temperatures can allow disease-carrying insects, like mosquitoes and ticks, to spread to new areas. Marin County Public Health, working together with CDPH and the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District (MSMVCD), keeps an eye on infectious diseases like dengue, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease. It's important to tackle climate change to protect both our environment and our health. Initiatives like Zero Waste Marin, which promotes source reduction of waste through reuse, repair, and more mindful purchasing, play an important role in mitigating climate change. Simple steps, from reducing plastic waste to using reusable grocery bags and water bottles, make a difference.

ShakeOut: Earthquake Safety and Preparedness

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, millions of people participated in ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill, to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On, along with other safety tips. While parts of the country are recovering from hurricanes and we wait for wildfire season to end, we need to remember that earthquakes are also a risk for us. The San Andreas Fault runs along the western side of Marin County, and the Hayward Fault is to the east. Because of these faults, it’s important for everyone to stay prepared for earthquakes. Visit the Shake House at the California Academy of Science in person or explore their website to learn how to prepare for an earthquake.

Homelessness in Marin County

Marin HHS’ Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care (HCC) has shared its 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This report gives detailed information about the 1,090 people who are homeless, which is a 3% drop from 2022. Some important points include:

Chronic homelessness has gone down by 24%.
The number of veterans who are homeless has decreased by 32%.
There is also a 12% drop in families experiencing homelessness.

This data helps us understand homelessness in our community better. Learn about the issues surrounding homelessness in Marin County at the Housing First website.

Save the Date: MCCT Women's Health & Wellness Day

Join Marin County Cooperation Team and the Southern Marin CRT on Tuesday, October 29 from 3-6:30 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church for a free community event promoting women's health and wellness. Event highlights include free health services such as Mammograms, HPV vaccination, Flu & COVID-19 vaccines, and STI testing. Enjoy a Women's Health Discussion Panel with local doctors and a healthy cooking demo by Chef Curtis Aikens. Attendees can also receive 1:1 health consultation with professionals. Fun activities like a smoothie blender bike, a bounce house, and more will be available for the whole family! RSVP here and share the flyer available in English and Spanish.

Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance

Find in-depth analysis of viral activity at Marin COVID-19 Surveillance and Marin Influenza and RSV Surveillance webpages. Marin County Public Health has aligned local reporting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory illnesses data monitoring and CDPH Weekly Respiratory Report.

Resource Link Library

How to protect yourself ...

CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

What to do if...

You’ve tested Positive, or you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Online Resources

Stay Informed

Public Health Status Update for 12/06/2024