Health
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- Written by: Adventist Health Clear Lake
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The holiday season can be a joyful time for many, but for those grieving the loss of a loved one — especially to a substance-related death — it can also bring feelings of sadness, loneliness and emotional pain.
To help provide support and healing during this difficult season, Adventist Health Clear Lake is hosting “Holding Space: Grief Support Group,” a free community program designed to offer compassion, understanding and guidance.
The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Building F on the Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital campus (lower level parking lot) on Dec. 16.
The session is open to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one due to a substance-related death, regardless of when the loss occurred.
Led by experienced facilitators from Adventist Health Clear Lake, the group provides a safe and supportive environment where participants can:
• Share their experiences and connect with others who understand their grief;
• Learn healthy coping strategies for navigating the emotional challenges of the holiday
season;
• Discover meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones during the holidays;
• Receive comfort and encouragement from others walking a similar path.
“The holidays can amplify grief and make people feel more isolated,” said Fiona Bullock, palliative care social worker at Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Our goal is to create a caring space where individuals can talk openly about their loss, find comfort in shared understanding, and learn gentle ways to care for themselves through the season.”
The program is free of charge, and refreshments will be served.
No registration is required.
For more information, please call 707-995-5817.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, in an effort to assist Californians seeking help and support in response to the nationwide outbreak of infant botulism has opened a public-facing hotline for concerned parents and caregivers with questions about infant botulism.
The public can reach CDPH directly toll-free at 1-833-398-2022.
The public hotline, which is live now, is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Trained public health staff will be able to provide answers and information for concerned members of the public with questions about the current outbreak.
CDPH’s medical staffing line for health care providers and other medical professionals continues to operate 24/7.
Infant Botulism Outbreak Hotline
1-833-398-2022
Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. PST
Public health investigation
CDPH helped identify an outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Infant Formula. State public health officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other states to investigate the outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Branch announced that ByHeart had initiated a nationwide recall of all of its infant formula product.
CDPH and federal officials have recommended that anyone with ByHeart infant formula stop using it immediately and report any signs s of infant botulism to their health care provider as soon as possible.
Infant botulism
Infant botulism is the form of botulism which results when swallowed spores of a particular bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) colonize a baby's large intestine and produce botulinum toxin in it. Botulinum toxin causes muscle weakness because it blocks the nerve ending's ability to communicate with muscles. If left untreated, the condition can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
Resources for more information
CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
CDPH Frequently Asked Questions about Infant Botulism
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (CDC November 2025)
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, (FDA November 2025)
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Public Health
California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which developed and provides the only source of infant botulism treatment in the world, noted an increase in infant botulism cases linked to ByHeart powdered infant formula.
State public health officials then alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, of a possible outbreak and is working with other state health departments and the CDC to investigate a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.
Consumers in possession of this product should stop using it immediately.
On Nov. 8, 2025, ByHeart Inc. recalled two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula:
• Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”)
• Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”)
According to the company’s website, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula was sold through their website ByHeart.com and through retail stores nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, SamsClub.com and others.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula makes up less than 1 percent of all infant formula sales in the United States and this outbreak does not create infant formula shortage concerns for parents and caregivers.
Public Health investigation
CDPH has tested a can of powdered infant formula that was fed to an infant with infant botulism. Preliminary results suggest the presence of the bacteria that produce botulinum toxin, consistent with the same toxin reported in the confirmed infant cases.
CDC, CDPH and other state health departments are investigating 13 suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases linked to ByHeart powdered infant formula across 10 states. The affected infants had become ill starting in August 2025.
Eight of those cases have since been confirmed as toxin type A botulism, with tests pending for the other cases. The investigation into lots of ByHeart powdered infant formula and potential sources of botulism in infants is ongoing.
What parents of infants need to know
“Infant Botulism is a very rare disease that occurs when babies inhale or swallow spores of the toxin-producing bacteria that cause infant botulism, which leads to progressive muscle weakness including trouble breathing if not treated in time.” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “We have tested a sample of the specific powdered infant formula linked with these cases and preliminary tests are positive. We are urging parents to stop using ByHeart formula immediately.”
Parents should report any weakness, difficulty swallowing, or other signs of infant botulism in their infants to healthcare providers immediately.
Healthcare providers should report suspected cases of infant botulism to their local health department immediately to facilitate investigation, testing and timely treatment if indicated.
If parents note symptoms after an infant has consumed formula, they should record the information on the package including brand and lot number, if still available.
Do not discard the product prior to checking with your local health department.
Typical signs and symptoms of Infant botulism often begin with:
• Constipation;
• Difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing);
• Poor head control;
• A weak and altered cry;
• Diminished facial expression;
• Other signs of muscle weakness.
What CDPH is doing to protect Californians
CDPH is working closely with the CDC, FDA, and other state health departments to identify and track cases of infant botulism, as well as test suspected products in California at the state’s public health lab.
The antitoxin BabyBIG is the only FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism. CDPH led the development of BabyBIG in the 1990’s, securing FDA approval to produce the life-saving drug in 2003, and remains the only source of BabyBIG in the world. BabyBIG has been shown to reduce the length of hospital stays and treatment costs for infants with botulism and remains the standard first-line therapy for infant botulism.
Physicians with a suspected case of infant botulism may reach California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program at (510) 231-7600 at any time. Parents with concerns or questions about suspected infant botulism should seek medical advice immediately.
Infant botulism
Infant botulism is the form of botulism which results when swallowed spores of a particular bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) colonize a baby's large intestine and produce botulinum toxin in it. Botulinum toxin causes weakness and loss of muscle tone because it blocks the nerve ending's ability to communicate with muscles. If left untreated, the condition can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, is warning consumers about products containing kratom and 7-hyrdroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, a potent opioid product derived from the kratom plant.
These products may lead to addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death. Since April 2025, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported six fatal overdoses linked to 7-OH.
“Although illegal to sell or manufacture, we are still finding kratom and 7-OH products for sale in gas stations, smoke shops, online and other retailers. While these products are sometimes marketed as natural remedies, they are dangerous and can result in fatal overdoses,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “The best way to protect yourself is to avoid using 7-OH and kratom-related products."
Neither kratom nor 7-OH can lawfully be marketed in the United States as a drug product, dietary supplement or food additive.
Claims that kratom and 7-OH products can treat pain, anxiety and opioid withdrawal are unproven. Side effects of kratom and 7-OH include withdrawal symptoms, insomnia and anxiety, seizures and fatal respiratory depression.
What CDPH is doing to protect Californians
CDPH has been conducting investigative work associated with kratom for many years and continues to take action to remove products or raw materials containing kratom or 7-OH from retail facilities selling to consumers and from manufacturing locations.
Once these products are identified during an investigation, they are embargoed or destroyed.
What you can do to protect yourself:
• Avoid buying or consuming products with kratom or 7-OH. Many kratom or 7-OH products are designed to look like candies, treats or “healthy” products. Kratom and 7-OH products are typically sold as beverages, shots, powders, tablets, capsules and gummies. Examine the packaging and label so you do not accidentally buy or consume kratom or 7-OH.
• Carry naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, including overdose related to heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioid medications, or 7-OH. Californians can purchase CalRx over-the-counter naloxone HCL for $22.50 per twin pack directly.
• If you or someone else is experiencing any ill effects after consuming kratom or 7-OH products contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or online at www.poisonhelp.org, or consult a health care provider.
• Know the signs of an overdose and how to respond. If someone is unresponsive, administer naloxone and call 911 immediately, keep the person awake and breathing, lay them on their side to prevent choking and stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.
Anyone who finds kratom or 7-OH products for sale for consumption should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232 or submit an electronic report here.
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