Carfentanil, which is used to tranquilize elephants, is 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine, according to Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky.

“We actually just saw the first overdose death related to carfentanil for a person that lives within Riverside County,” Dr. Chevinsky told KNX News’ Karen Adams. “We had never seen it before for a county resident, so this is really hitting us close to home.”

Dr. Chevinsky said the drug is being mixed into pills or powder, and there’s no way to test for it.

“Fentanyl strips, we still recommend their use to see whether there’s fentanyl mixed into a drug, but what we understand is that these fentanyl strips do not work to pick up carfentanil,” she said. “So, it’s not a fail-safe, and it’s not 100% there in terms of detecting it.”

She added that a person overdosing on carfentanil may need extra doses of Narcan to reverse its effects. While deaths from carfentanil in the United States are rare, Dr. Chevinsky said there’s been an increase in its usage nationally from 2023 to 2024.

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The city of Lake Elsinore has teamed up with the Riverside University Health System to bring a variety of six different vaccines at no cost to the community. No appointments are necessary — walk-ins are welcome, the city said.

The clinic will offer the following vaccines: Tdap, HPV, RSV, Shingles, Mpox and COVID-19.

“Stay protected and take advantage of this important community resource,” the city said.

The free clinic will be held at the Lake Elsinore Senior Activity Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 27. Questions? Call 951-358-5000.

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According to the California Department of Public Health, three confirmed measles cases were reported in February, and five more as of March 27. In 2024, there were 15 measles cases throughout the year, they said. Though measles cases have increased in the United States, there are no suspected or confirmed measles cases in Riverside County as of April 1, according to the health officials with Riverside University Health System — Public Health.

“Residents should be aware of the benefits of vaccination and provided with education about the signs and symptoms of the disease,” County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky said.

According to the county health database, the last measles case in Riverside County was in 2018. Still, residents can take some actions to reduce the risk of measles in our communities, she advised.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our community against measles,” Chevinsky said. “Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease.” She shared some tips on the disease, which can be highly contagious and dangerous in some cases.

Measles is a severe and highly infectious disease that can be spread through the air via droplets when a person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.

For protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for:

• Children: one dose at 12 months of age and another at 4-6 years.
• Older children, adolescents and adults without documented doses of MMR vaccine.

Additionally, if you are an adult born after 1957, one dose of live measles vaccine is sufficient to be considered protected from measles. Still, certain adults may need two doses.

Adults who are going to be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission (e.g., healthcare providers) should make sure they have had two doses separated by at least 28 days.

Vaccination with one dose of MMR is also recommended for infants as young as 6 months old before international travel to reduce the risk of contracting measles while traveling to countries where measles is more common.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Symptoms of measles can include:

• initial fever that lasts a couple of days,
• followed by a cough,
• a runny nose,
• conjunctivitis (pink eye),
• a prickly red rash.

“There are many different kinds of rash illnesses that can appear similar to measles, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis, which often requires testing. The public health department follows up on any instances where there may be concern for measles or other transmissible diseases of concern,” Chevinsky said in a recent news release.

“Typically, a rash will appear on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears. It then spreads down to the rest of the body. Infected people can spread measles from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterwards.

“Symptoms typically will be observed 10–14 days after exposure to the virus. A prominent rash is often the most visible symptom. Complications of measles can include ear infections, hospitalization, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and, in some instances, death. “

When To Ask Your Doctor:

Contact your healthcare provider if you or a loved one are experiencing a rash, illness, or believe you may have been exposed to measles, particularly after international travel or travel to a place with ongoing measles outbreaks, according to the Riverside University Health System.

“If you seek care through an emergency department or urgent care for a rash illness, it is important to call ahead so the health facility can take appropriate precautions.

What About Vaccines?

“To get vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider or visit one of Public Health’s upcoming vaccine clinics. All clinics accept walk-in appointments. Cost and eligibility vary. For questions and clinic locations, please call (951) 358-7125 or visit www.ruhealth.org/vaccineclinics.

Learn more about measles here.

The post 8 Confirmed Measles Cases In CA In 2025: What To Watch For, According To RivCo’s Top Doc appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

A total of 38 human cases of Bird Flu had been reported in California as of Jan. 15, and no cases had been reported in Riverside County as of Jan. 30, a health system spokesperson confirmed with Patch.

The bird flu is spread from infected cows, birds, cats, and other mammals to people in various ways, including breathing in dust or droplets with the virus and touching your face or consuming raw, unpasteurized milk or milk products. “Animals such as cats are more susceptible through the exposure of raw milk products,” they said.

Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung said health officials are mainly concerned about the exposure risks to farm and agricultural workers and those in regular contact with livestock.

Farmworkers and those exposed to such animals regularly should take proper precautions against the outbreak, he advised. However, members of the public, should also be cautious when coming into contact with farm animals, backyard flocks or even cats.

“No person-to-person virus transmission has been detected in the United States,” according to the health department. “Bird flu is spread from infected cows, birds and other animals to people in a variety of ways. These include breathing in dust or droplets with the virus, touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after touching contaminated surfaces, or handling sick or dead animals and consuming raw unpasteurized milk or milk products.”

Officials recommended the following precautions for those who may have exposure risks:

• Wash hands immediately after contact with farm or wild animals, or handling anything around them;
• Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth before hand-washing;
• Use personal protective equipment when in the animals’ spaces;
• Try to shower after working with the animals; and
• As much as possible, only interact with them outdoors or in well-ventilated locations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bird flu symptoms include red eyes, coughing, sore throat, clogged nasal passages, diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, headaches, fatigue, respiratory difficulty, and fever.

Bird flu treatment includes antivirals and medicines that stop the flu virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. That treatment is best started as soon as a person is symptomatic. Anyone who has been diagnosed with the Bird Flu should quarantine themselves away from other people, including those in your home.

“The overall risk to the general population is low,” Dr. Leung said. “Additional safety measures are being implemented at affected dairy and poultry farms, including ongoing monitoring for symptoms in farm workers, the use of personal protective equipment, and ensuring access to timely laboratory testing and treatment if and when needed.”

The Riverside University Health System is collaborating with the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner, the Department of Animal Services, and the Department of Environmental Health to identify risks at livestock facilities and implement containment measures when necessary.

Officials say that “poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any suspicious illness or deaths should call the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-2473.”

Additional information on the avian variant is available at www.ruhealth.org/avianflu.

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