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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 13 January 2013

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As a flu epidemic crosses the nation, state and local health officials said California so far is not seeing an unusual spike in the seasonal illness, but they nonetheless urged people to be vaccinated as a precaution before the season peaks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that 47 states have reported widespread geographic influenza activity, up from 41 the previous week.  

The CDC estimates that an average of 25,000 people die annually from flu across the United States, with the elderly, children and other special populations proving to be especially vulnerable.

The California Department of Public Health's surveillance indicators are showing a steady increase in influenza activity in California.

Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, said that while California is seeing an increase in flu activity, it's not an unexpected one.

“California is seeing an accelerated increase in flu activity over the past few weeks,” said Dr. Chapman. “You can help prevent further spread of the flu by getting a flu shot.”

Chapman's office reported that while influenza activity varies from year to year and is unpredictable, California generally sees an increase in cases in late December or early January and it often peaks in February or March.

“So far it's been very quiet,” said Dr. Karen Tait, Lake County's public health office.

Tait said she has not heard any reports of case spikes from local hospitals. Lake County News also did not receive responses back from local hospitals on Friday regarding the numbers of cases.

Tait said her office also hasn't gotten any notice of “reportable cases,” which are limited to flu deaths to people under age 65.

“In terms of even just informal reports, we’re not getting a lot of activity so far,” she said. “We don’t know if that means we’re still on an upswing and it hasn’t gotten here yet.”

However, she points out that the annual flu spikes are normal. “People forget what the normal seasonal flu does.”

“The best defense against the flu is getting vaccinated. This year’s vaccine is an excellent match against this year’s influenza strains,” Dr. Chapman said. “There is no shortage of vaccine in California and it is not too late to get vaccinated. Our flu season may not peak for several more weeks, so I encourage everyone to get vaccinated to protect not only themselves, but those with whom they come into contact.”

Tait agreed. While in many places across the country flu vaccine is running out, Tait said her office has plenty.

The CDC reported that 90 percent of all of the flu strains circulating are included in the vaccine. More than 130 million doses that were produced by the vaccine manufacturers this year already have been given.

Since scheduled clinics are past, Tait said people can call the Public Health Department to check on times for when to come in for shots.

She said it's best to call ahead of time. “It’s gotten quite busy all of a sudden,” she said, a fact she attributed to increased media attention about the flu.

“After a few years of fairly flu seasons, people weren’t all that eager to be vaccinated this year,” she said.

It may be more “hit and miss” supply-wise for local doctors and other care providers. Tait urged people to call their providers right away to check on availability.

Not available is the flu mist nasal spray which have expired, and usually expires fairly quickly in the flu season, Tait said.

Regarding why flu is worse some years than others, Tait explained that flu strains “do evolve and change,” and sometimes those changes are minor and sometimes major.

If a strain is similar to one that was widespread 20 years ago, older people might find they are relatively protected, she said.

Tait said Lake County always has been fortunate because in its rural environment there are not a lot of venues for people to crowd together and thus spread the flu more.

Dr. Chapman noted that in addition to getting vaccinated, it’s important to practice good hand washing and other good health habits.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

People who are ill should take actions to stop the spread of germs such as limiting contact with others; covering one's nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based rub; and avoiding touching one's eyes, nose and mouth, Chapman’s office said.

State health care officials said special care should be shown to high risk groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, infants or those with other health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable. When they show flu symptoms a physician should be contacted immediately.

To find out more about flu vaccines, call Lake County Public Health, 707-263-1090.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 13 January 2013

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The fourth-annual Kelseyville Olive Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill located at 5625 Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.

The event will showcase local products and their importance to the health of our community, while benefiting local nonprofit organizations.

The festival will feature vendors offering olive-related and other local products, samples, food, soaps, and more, as well as providing educational materials about olives and our local industry. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available.

There is no cost to attend the festival; wine and beer tasting with a commemorative glass will be available for a $15 fee with proceeds benefiting Lake Family Resource Center.

Several related contests will be held up to and during the festival, including a poster contest, amateur recipe contest, olive pit spitting contest, and people’s choice olive oil contest.

Event proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the California Women for Agriculture’s Lake County Chapter and their AgVenture Program, the raffle benefits the Kelseyville Education Foundation, and the tasting sales benefit the Lake Family Resource Center. The Lake County Arts Council will also benefit from the event for their part in the poster contest.

For more information about the Kelseyville Olive Festival, contact Livia Kurtz, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards, at 707-279-0483 or visit www.kelseyvilleolivefestival.com .

The Kelseyville Olive Festival is presented by Rosa d’Oro Vineyards and Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill. Both companies are located in Kelseyville and produce wine and olive oil.

The Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill is located at 5625 Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville, across from the Kelseyville Post Office.

For more information about Rosa d’Oro Vineyards, visit www.rosadorowine.com or call 707-279-0483. For information about Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, visit www.chacewaterwine.com or call 707-279-2995.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 13 January 2013

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The year 2013 is kicking off with a whole bunch of new year’s puppies at the shelter.

Young Chihuahua, Jack Russell terrier, hound and other mixes are now waiting for new homes.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Labrador Retriever-pointer mix

This female Labrador Retriever-pointer mix is 4 months old.

She has a short black and white coat, weighs 13 pounds and has been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 3, ID No. 34929.

Female terrier mix

This female terrier mix is 1 year old.

She has a short black coat and weighs 10 pounds, and has been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 5, ID No. 35195.

Male pit bull terrier mix

This male pit bull terrier mix is 4 months old.

He has a short brown brindle coat. Shelter staff did not report his weight of if he was altered.

Find him in kennel No. 6, ID No. 35248.

Female wirehaired terrier mix

This female wirehaired terrier mix is 6 months old.

She has a long gray coat, weighs 6 pounds and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 35128.

Jack Russell terrier mix pup

This male Jack Russell terrier mix puppy is 9 weeks old.

He and his littermates were born at the shelter on Nov. 6.

He has blue eyes, floppy ears and a short black coat, and weighs 3.6 pounds. He has been neutered.

Find him in kennel 20a, ID No. 34887.

Jack Russell terrier mix pup

This male Jack Russell terrier mix puppy is 9 weeks old.

He has blue eyes, a short black and white coat, and weighs 3.4 pounds. He has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 20b, ID No. 34888.

Jack Russell terrier mix pup

This male Jack Russell terrier mix puppy is 9 weeks old.

He has blue eyes, a short black and white coat, and weighs 4.4 pounds. He has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 20e, ID No. 34891.

Jack Russell terrier mix pup

This male Jack Russell terrier mix puppy is 9 weeks old.

He has blue eyes, a short black and white coat, and weighs 5.8 pounds. He has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 20f, ID No. 34892.

American Bulldog mix puppy

This female American Bulldog mix puppy is 10 weeks old.

She weighs 11 pounds, has a short brown and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 21a, ID No. 35232.

American Bulldog mix puppy

This female American Bulldog mix puppy is 10 weeks old.

She weighs 12.4 pounds, has a short brown and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 21b, ID No. 35233.

American Bulldog mix puppy

This female American Bulldog mix puppy is 10 weeks old.

She weighs 9.6 pounds, has a short brown and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 21c, ID No. 35234.

Chihuahua mix pup

This male Chihuahua mix is 14 weeks old.

He has a short black and brown coat, weighs 11 pounds, and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 23a, ID No. 35251.

Chihuahua mix pup

This male Chihuahua mix is 14 weeks old.

He has a short black and brown coat, weighs 11 pounds, and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 23b, ID No. 35252.

Chihuahua mix pup

This male Chihuahua mix is 14 weeks old.

He has a short black and brown coat, weighs 10.2 pounds, and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 23c, ID No. 35253.

Chihuahua mix pup

This male Chihuahua mix is 14 weeks old.

He has a short black and brown coat, weighs 10.2 pounds, and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 23d, ID No. 35254.

Beagle-hound mix

This female beagle-hound mix is 6 months old.

She has a short tan coat, weighs 27 pounds and has been spayed.

You can find her in kennel No. 29, ID No. 35118.

Please note: Dogs listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.