To keep the Santa Rosa Junior College community informed about current public health alerts and notifications, the Sonoma County Junior College District takes steps to protect the health and welfare of our college community, including providing information on this website. Be sure to check back periodically for updates and links to additional online resources.

For public health announcements in Sonoma County, please visit:
Sonoma County Health Announcements

For The Centers for Disease Control current outbreaks lists, please visit:
CDC Outbreaks

 

SRJC Student Health Services Resources

Students interested in receiving vaccines or needing care for a suspected infection, can call to make an appointment at Student Health Services:

  • Santa Rosa Campus (707) 527-4445
  • Petaluma Campus (707) 778-3919

Or visit your doctor's office or clinic as part of personal regular health maintenance.

See Charges for the cost of vaccines for SRJC students currently enrolled in credit courses at Student Health Services.

For a list of other locations in Sonoma County for immunizations for adults and children go to: Sonoma County Health Topics: Immunizations

 

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ALERT: Vaping

You have probably heard about the serious lung illnesses being experienced in the US related to vaping.

What we know:

  • There are 380 cases (as of 9/17/19) of lung illness reported from 36 states and 1 U.S. territory. Seven deaths have been reported from 6 states.
  • All reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping.
  • Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC. Many patients have reported using THC and nicotine. Some have reported the use of e-cigarette products containing only nicotine.

What We Don’t’ Know

We do not yet know the specific cause of these illnesses. The investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) or substance that is linked to all cases.

 

While we are learning more:

  • CDC has released interim recommendations for healthcare providers, health departments, and the public.
  • Until we know more, if you are concerned about these specific health risks, CDC recommends that you consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products.
  • If you are an adult who used e-cigarettes containing nicotine to quit cigarette smoking, do not return to smoking cigarettes.
  • If you have recently used an e-cigarette or vaping product and you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak see a healthcare provider.
  • Regardless of the ongoing investigation:

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html

 

ALERT: Measles

Due to a 2019 outbreak of measles, Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone who has neither had measles nor been vaccinated against measles should obtain a vaccination at this this time.

Why vaccinate adults against measles?

  • Complications from measles are more common among adults. Approximately 20 percent of those with measles experience one or more complications including diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death.
  • Measles is extremely contagious; 90 percent of susceptible household contacts of a person with measles will become infected.

Which adults should get vaccinated against measles?

  • Adults born in 1957 or later who have not been vaccinated or have not had measles.
  • College students, teachers, healthcare personnel, and international travelers are at increased risk for measles.
  • Measles is part of a combination vaccine called MMR that also protects against mumps and rubella.
  • If you DO NOT have proof of 2 MMR vaccinations OR lab titers that show that you are immune to measles- you should get vaccinated.
  • The recommendation before travel to Europe, Africa, Asia, India and the Philippines, is full protection against measles, as described on the CDC website.

Please contact SRJC Student Health Services at (707) 527-4445 for more information.

 

ALERT: Seasonal Flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) seasonal flu is increasing across the United States. Sonoma County similarly is seeing an increase in the number of reported flu cases in our region. Please click here for useful tips on how to help prevent the spread of the flu.

   

  1. So far this season, there have been 22 million influenza illnesses.
  2. Though the severity is not considered high, there have been hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations.
  3. There have been approximately 30,000 flu-related deaths
  4. The season has been longer than usual, due to a double wave of type B and type A viruses.

So, this all  points to recommendations for frequent hand-washing, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home and rest if you feel sick.  Call for advice 527-4445. 

Good news – there is still vaccine available at Student Health Services for students for $15.  A flu shot provides protection from 4 strains of flu virus, and is effective within 2 weeks.

 

ALERT: Ticks

Tick season is upon us! Please click here for useful tips and links to resources on how to avoid Lyme Disease by reducing your exposure to ticks.

 

ALERT: Zika virus

CDC has issued a travel notice (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to areas where Zika virus transmission is spreading. This notice follows reports in Brazil of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.

Sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is possible. If you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a male partner while traveling, you should use condoms the right way every time. 

Currently there is no vaccine to protect you against this virus. 

For a current list of places with Zika outbreaks, see CDC Travel Health.

 

ALERT: Mumps

According to current media reports, many states are experiencing mumps outbreaks on one or more of their college campuses including: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin. San Diego County has reported two mumps cases at the University of San Diego; several suspect cases are also under investigation. Two additional mumps cases identified in California are likely linked to mumps outbreaks in the Northeast. 

Spring Break is approaching and may lead to mixing of students from different universities, including those from campuses where mumps outbreaks are occurring. Please report any symptoms of mumps to our Student Health Services staff or your primary medical provider. Symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides (parotitis). Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after the infection. 

For more information, please visit the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov/mumps . 

 

ALERT: Pertussis (Whooping cough)

The California Department of Public Health recommends that all Californians are immunized against Pertussis, especially if they are in contact with infants. As a result of a serious Pertussis epidemic in 2010, California began requiring an additional booster vaccine for all school-aged children in the 7th through 12th grade. Pertussis vaccine is contained in the TDaP vaccine. To maintain immunity, boosters are recommended every ten years.

For Pertussis information:

 
Other helpful resources:

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For additional information, please contact Rebecca Norwick at rnorwick@santarosa.edu