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Possible bird flu case identified in Bay Area child
State health officials said Tuesday that they have identified a possible bird flu case in a child in Alameda County who was tested for mild upper respiratory symptoms.The child, who has been treated, is recovering at home. They had no known contact with an infected animal, but public health experts are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds.
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, said it is working with local public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the cause of the initial positive test in the child.
The positive test showed a low-level detection of the virus, indicating the child was not likely infectious to others.
Officials said repeat bird flu testing on the child four days later was negative, and additional testing shows the child was also positive for respiratory viruses that could be the cause of their cold and flu symptoms.
The test specimens are being sent to CDC for confirmatory testing.
In its report CDPH said no person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected or is suspected.
Due to mild respiratory symptoms, all close family members of the child were tested — and all are negative for bird flu and not suspected of having the virus at all.
Family members were also confirmed to have the same, more common respiratory viruses as the child. They are also being treated with preventive medication.
Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, other individuals who had contact with the child are being notified and offered preventive treatment and testing.
Public health officials said they are aware that the child attended daycare with mild symptoms before the child’s test was reported as a possible bird flu infection.
Local public health officials have reached out to potentially exposed caregivers and families to conduct health checks for symptoms and offer connections to preventive treatment and testing if they develop symptoms.
“It’s natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don’t think the child was infectious — and no human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón.
Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, and no person-to-person spread has been detected in California or the United States. In the rare cases where bird flu has spread from one person to another, it has never spread beyond a few close contacts.
Limited and sporadic human infections with bird flu where there is no clear route of exposure or infection are expected and have occurred in the past and during the outbreak public health officials have been monitoring since 2022.
Regardless, CDPH said public health surveillance and investigations of such cases will continue at the local, state and federal levels to monitor for any concerning changes.
People working with infected animals are at higher risk
CDPH said people who have contact with infected dairy cows, poultry or wildlife have a greater chance of getting bird flu, which can happen if the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or is inhaled.
As a general precaution, whenever possible people should avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals and observe them only from a distance, CDPH said.
Since early October, California has reported 26 confirmed human cases of bird flu, all following direct contact with infected dairy cows.
To date, all have reported mild symptoms (primarily eye infections), and none have been hospitalized.
Because bird flu viruses can change and gain the ability to spread more easily between people, public health officials have provided preventive measures and are monitoring animal and human infections carefully.
CDPH said it has been closely monitoring the bird flu situation in both animals and humans since the state's first detection in poultry in 2022.
To protect public health, and especially workers who may be exposed to infected animals, CDPH encourages those who work with infected dairy cows, raw milk, or infected poultry to use protective gear.
Individuals who have symptoms or a significant exposure (such as raw milk splashing into the eye) should get tested quickly and treated.
In humans, bird flu symptoms include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever.
Public health experts also encourage farm workers to get a flu shot this year. While a seasonal flu shot doesn’t stop bird flu, it protects against severe illness from seasonal flu and reduces the chance of human and bird flu viruses mixing and turning into new viruses that can spread more easily or be more severe.
Pasteurized milk products are safe to consume
Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume, CDPH reported.
Officials said drinking raw milk or eating raw milk products could be dangerous. They urge consumers to reduce their risk by choosing pasteurized milk and dairy foods like cheese and yogurt.
Pasteurization, the process of heating milk to specific temperatures for certain times, inactivates the bird flu virus and harmful germs that can be found in raw milk.
Woodland Community College to host open house for its Lake County Campus
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus invites the public to an open house this week, offering a chance to explore its academic programs and resources.The open house will run from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
Interested community members may find out more about the college’s academic programs, adult education, student support and financial aid programs. Information will also be shared on transfer services and dual enrollment opportunities at the open house.
“If anybody has ever dreamed or thought about going to college, they really should just come to campus and talk to someone,” said the Lake County Campus Dean Korinda Ebenhack. “We want to answer questions and help people see themselves.”
Ebenhack was appointed in the summer and has been serving as the dean for five months.
“Applying now, that is our big message,” Ebenhack said, adding that the open house is a “big day to help people figure out they need to apply.”
For the new academic year, school will start on Jan. 13, 2025.
All applications for admission will go through the state’s community college application system. It usually takes two days for applicants to hear back. Financial aid, however, can take up to eight weeks, Ebenhack said.
“Many students wind up paying no tuition, because almost every student is eligible for financial aid,” said Ebenhack.
Some sources of financial support include the California Cal Grant, the Educational Opportunity Program, the California Promise Program and grants that pay for students’ books.
Employment-oriented programs
Woodland Community College provides “over 50 different degrees and certificates” that serve a wide range of industries and student needs, according to Ebenhack. These programs are highly employment-driven and aim to tackle local needs and place students in local jobs.
The culinary program, for example, has a good employment rate and displays where all their graduates went to work on a board, Ebenhack said.
“It’s all written on the board and it’s pretty impressive — almost 100% placement out of our culinary program,” she added.
Ebenhack did not share an overall employment rate of the students. “We don’t track that.”
Dr. Lizette Navarette, president of the Woodland Community College, talked about the school’s “Drinking Water and Wastewater Technology Program” in a presentation at the Clearlake City Council meeting two weeks ago.
This program, said Navarette, leads students “directly to state certification” on water and/or wastewater treatment.
“Students that take that program find jobs before they even finish,” Navarette said. “Just the power of making sure that our programs are directly connected to labor demands in the regions that we serve.”
Ebenhack believes their programs are designed to help fill local jobs.
“I think community colleges try to teach and train people in the areas that can keep them local, so you don't have to move,” she said. “Not everybody wants to move.”
Possible pathway to university
Admission to a university after graduation is also a choice.
Woodland Community College has signed a memorandum of understanding, or an MOU, with California State University Chico on “guaranteed admission,” said Dr. Shouan Pan, chancellor of the Yuba Community College District, in the presentation at the Clearlake City Council meeting.
“When they graduate and they get good grades, [they are] guaranteed admission to Chico State,” Pan told the city council.
“It’s a great benefit to students,” said Ebenhack of the “nice peace of mind” for students.
Still, “it does take time to get organized,” she added.
In the meantime, Ebenhack acknowledged different student preferences.
“Not everybody has to transfer, right? Any goal is legitimate. And we just want to help people reach their goals and build their confidence and, you know, make more money,” Ebenhack said.
The campus in Clearlake now has eight full-time teachers and 20 part-time teachers, said Ebenhack. Lake County students may take in-person classes for some degrees on campus or online classes for others.
Some of the local in-person classes include accounting, baking, welding and early childhood education.
For Ebenhack, it’s essential for community colleges to stay flexible and “meet the needs of a broad spectrum of people.”
On the Scoreboard of the US Department of Education, Woodland Community College has a 23% graduation rate, with 35% transferred to another college and 42% withdrew from the school before graduation.
The scoreboard also shows an annual average cost of $4,449 at the college and just 1% of the enrolled students are on federal loans. Ten years after attending the school, regardless of whether the students had graduated or not, they are found to earn a median annual income of $40,042.
No specific data is available for the Lake County Campus alone.
After the Boyles Fire
The open house this Thursday is the first big event in the campus after the Boyles Fire in September that caused serious smoke damage on campus structures.
Last week, the YCCD Governing Board approved a resolution in honor of the City of Clearlake and Lake County Fire Protection District Members for their tremendous work during and after the fire.
“We have been busy with fire mitigation — including tree and brush removal after the Boyles Fire,” Ebenhack wrote in a newsletter on the open house in an email last week, adding a list of “great things happening on campus” from preventing fire and painting a new mural to expanding their welding program and remodeling student lounge.
For her, the open house is a must-attend for anyone interested in a college education or learning about their options.
“We are ready, rain or shine!” Ebenhack said.
Email reporter Lingzi Chen at
Flood watch issued for Lake County
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With an atmospheric river expected to bring a large amount of rain this week, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Lake County.The flood watch will be in effect from late Tuesday night through late Thursday night due to the possibility of excessive rainfall.
Forecasters are anticipating 2 to 5 inches of rain to fall from Tuesday night through Wednesday, with another 2 to 3 inches of rain expected on Thursday.
The National Weather Service said there will be an increased risk of rock and land slides along roadways, along with rapidly rising creeks and streams.
Beyond Thursday, the forecast calls for chances of rain from Friday through Sunday morning before conditions clear.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Wine Alliance presents checks from annual auction to beneficiaries
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Wine Alliance held the 23rd annual Lake County Wine Auction with the theme Year of the Dragon on Sept. 21 at the Mercantile by Shannon Family of Wines.
Over 400 people attended the largest fundraiser in the county on a beautiful fall evening. The evening started with Tastes on the Lawn with samplings from 13 restaurants, 17 wineries and one brewery.
After being seated the crowd enjoyed a three course dinner that was served by the Lower Lake High School Culinary Program, Saw Shop Public House and Culinary Program at Lake County Campus of Yuba College.
The Wine Alliance was formed as a nonprofit organization in 2000. It is an all-volunteer board of seven community members. It was created to help support extracurricular programs in all five High schools, assist local nonprofits in achieving their yearly goals, all while highlighting and celebrating the amazing wineries and restaurants of Lake County.
With the funds raised from the 2024 auction the Wine Alliance has distributed $3,063,752 to programs in Lake County representing the arts, education, health and community.
On Nov. 13 at the Soper Reese Theatre, $210,000 was distributed to the following beneficiaries: Lake County 4-H Clubs, City of Clearlake Youth Center, Clear Lake High School Culinary Program, Give Back Track, Health & Wellness Expo, Highlands Senior Center, Hope Center, Jack’s Lavender Farm, Kelseyville High School Culinary Program, Laky Luck Ladies Tech Scholarships, Lake County Campus Culinary Program, Lake County Channel Cats, Lake County Sheriff’s Activities League, Lake County Young Life, Lake County Rural Arts Initiative, Lake County Silver Foundation, Lake County Youth Symphony Program, Lake Family Resource Center, Lake Links, Lakeport Senior Center Meals on Wheels, Lakeport Volunteer Firefighters, Live Oak Senior Center, Lower Lake High School Culinary Program, Middletown Composite Mountain Bike Team, Middletown Senior Center, Motherwise, Northshore Fire Fun, Operation Santa, Operation Tango Mike, Peoples Services, Shop with a Cop Program, South Lake Alliance of Arts, Totes for Teens, United Veterans Council, Vision of Hope Village and Worldwide Healing Hands.
Each year one third of all proceeds go to the five Lake County High Schools’ Fine Arts and FFA Programs.
These funds were made possible by the generosity of the sponsors: Presenting Sponsor Adventist Health Clearlake, Sutter Lakeside, Lake County Tribal Health, California Exterminators, Calpine at the Geysers, Wild Diamond Vineyards, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Sysco Foods, PG&E, Reynolds Systems, Sutter Lakeside, Tri Corbraun Wine Pak, Bella Vista Farming, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Community First Credit Union, Congressman Mike Thompson, Draxton Wine Cellars, West Coast Fire & Water, Holdenried Harvesting, Pabst Construction, Lake County Winery Association, Lake County Rural Arts Initiative, Bit Sculptor, Sullivan Construction, Mendo-Mill Lumber, Saw Shop Public House, Lake Event Design, John Clarke and the huge support from the attendee bidders.
The fine restaurants and wineries that so generously donated their time and samplings were: Aromas Café, BBQ by Biasotti, Clear Lake High School Culinary, Ferrigno’s Italian Baked Goods, Mother Lovin’ From the Oven, On the Waterfront, Red’s at the Skyroom, Ripe Choice Catering, Rosie’s Bread & Butter, Santana’s Cottage Café & Catering, Saw Shop Public House, Stein & Wei, Terped Out Kitchen, Beaver Creek Vineyards, Brassfield Estate Winery, Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery, Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, Domaine Helena, Fults Family Vineyards, Gregory Graham Winery, Olof Cellars, R Vineyards, Rosa D’Oro Vineyards & Winery, Shannon Family of Wines, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Sol Rouge, Stonehouse Cellars, Thorn Hill Vineyards, Wild Diamond Vineyards and Kelsey Creek Brewing.
Next year’s wine auction will be held Sept. 20, 2025, at Konocti Harbor Resort.
Applications for beneficiaries will be available Feb. 1, 2025, and tickets will go on sale May 1, 2025.
This year’s event was sold out six weeks before the event.
