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Gray bats are vital part of our ecosystem
By The U.S. Department of the Interior
....Alabama’s Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is the largest known hibernation cave for gray bats. Between 800,000 and one million gray bats winter here. Bat experts also believe as many as one million Indiana bats may be using Fern Cave. Another 300,000 gray bats roost in Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, also in Alabama.
Bats might be considered spooky by some, but there are a vital part of our ecosystem. There are more than 1,100 species of bats and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Only three species of bats suck blood. Most eat insects – small bats can eat up to 2,000 insects every night, saving many crops from being destroyed.
About 30 percent of bat species eat fruit, pollen or nectar. Bananas, dates, coconut, cloves, vanilla, Brazil nuts and avocados all depend on bats for pollination. Bats help spread seeds for nuts, figs, allspice and cacao, from which chocolate is made. Fruit bats eat the cacao fruit and discard the bean, which grows into a new tree.
Sandy Devastation
....October 31- The President pledged to streamline the federal funding process, explaining that he has instituted a so-called 15 minute rule for his team, meaning that if a mayor, state politician, or governor calls them, they have to respond with firm answers in a matter of minutes.
‘We are not going to tolerate red tape,’ he said. ‘When you see neighbors helping neighbors you’re reminded of what America’s all about.
This is a tough time for millions of people. But America is tougher' US President Barack Obama
‘We’re going to have a ton of work to do. I don’t want anyone thinking that this will be cleaned up overnight. We want to make sure people have realistic expectations. We will not quit… We don’t leave anybody behind.’
The visit came after the President’s second visit to FEMA headquarters for an update on federal progress.
President Obama took a motorcade to FEMA's offices in Washington D.C. to meet with agency chiefs before the flight to Atlantic City to meet with Sandy's victims and relief workers.
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The Great Shake Out
...Some 9.3 million people, mostly in California, took part in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill at10:18 a.m. Thursday (10/18), at schools, homes, businesses, and some public areas, including the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. By comparison, 8.6 million people participated in the ShakeOut last year. The statewide drill is coordinated by Earthquake Country Alliance, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit.
At the Santa Fe Depot, the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services and the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties invited passengers to consider what they would do if an earthquake struck while they were on a train.
Experts agree that the safest thing to do in an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on whenever possible. During intense shaking it is often difficult or impossible to remain standing or walk. People should drop to the ground to avoid being knocked down; crawl under a desk or table if one is nearby; and cover their head with one arm and hold onto the table with the other to keep it from moving away.
If outdoors, people should get down and move away from buildings, bridges, trees, and utility wires, and sit and cover their head until the shaking stops. One reason The Great Shake Out Drill was held on a train was to emphasize that no one knows when or where an earthquake will strike. If it happened while you were on a train, there might not be any tables to get under, or not enough for everyone.
Amtrak conductor Laura Drogan guided riders in a demonstration at 10:18 a.m. on a business class car. Several people tried to seek cover under small tables; others crouched down by their seats, covered their head and held onto the seat or table leg. They covered their heads because an open overhead compartment might contain bags or suitcases that could fall out during the shaking.
The Alliance and the California Emergency Management Agency printed special earthquake commuter- tip wallet cards to pass out to people using the train stations in San Diego County.
In San Diego County, 693,713 people were registered to take part in the largest drill in U.S. history, according to the ShakeOut website.
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West Nile Outbreak on Track to Be Worst Ever
....The CDC repeated its warning that this year may have the highest number of West Nile diseasecases reported. Health officials expect the mosquito-borne disease to continue to peak into September and early October.
"We're in the midst of one of the largest West Nile virus outbreaks ever seen in the United States.We think the numbers may come close to or even exceed the total reported in 2002 and 2003. Both of which were severe West Nile virus years." Dr. Lyle Petersen, the director of the CDC’s Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Division, said
Symptoms are often mild and many people stricken do not see a doctor, meaning cases are likely underreported. Victims may suffer fever and aches that can become severe or even cause death, especially in the elderly, children and other at-risk groups. There is no specific treatment for the infection.
San Diego County hasn’t had a serious case of the disease in years, thanks in part to aggressive County mosquito-control and West Nile awareness campaigns.
National Wilderness Month reminds us that we benefit greatly from experiences in nature.
Enjoy Nature, and Take Time to Play at Parks All Around San Diego County
.....When was the last time you took your kids to a County park? This Summer come to celebrate special events in Bonita, Campo, Julian, Pala and Ramona — or just enjoy one of the County’s 30-plus parks and preserves!
“Holidays and weekends are a great opportunity to explore one of our parks or preserves,” said San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts. “The truth is there is something for everybody at County parks, and a County park for just about everybody.”
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Heat has Been a Major Killer
.....Heat was responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than any other weather-related cause between 2002 and 2011, according to the National Weather Service. There were more deaths from heat than hurricanes or tornadoes.
“Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause serious health problems,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer.
This summer’s heat has already broken records around the country and is expected to continue. Elderly people, especially 65 years and older, infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress. Neighbors of the elderly, especially those living alone, should check on their well-being. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, go to a public place such as a shopping mall, library or senior center to stay cool.
Cool Zones offer a place for people to escape mid-day summer heat and reduce their own air conditioning use. County of San Diego Aging and Independence Services coordinates the Cool Zone program and designates the sites, located in libraries, senior centers and public buildings. Please call 800 510 2020 for location information, or click on the square with the polar bear to view a PDF list of all participating Cool Zone sites in San Diego County.
7th Graders Need Pertussis Vaccine to Return to School
...Last year, a new law went into effect requiring a whooping cough booster shot or Tdap before  middle and high school students could re-enter school.This year, all students going into 7th grade will be required to show proof of having received the pertussis booster shot or they will not be allowed in school. This includes current students, new students and transfer students in both public and private schools. Students who have already received the vaccine simply need to supply proof to the school. County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials are urging parents to ensure their 11- and 12-year-old children have been immunized against pertussis, also known as whooping cough, before they get back to school.
...Parents can obtain the vaccines, including the Tdap booster shot, for themselves and their children through their primary care physicians. Local retail pharmacies offer vaccinations for a fee, and anyone who is not covered by a medical insurance plan can get the shot from a County Public Health Center at little or no cost. For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or visit www.sdiz.org.
Three Squirrels on Palomar Mountain
Test Positive for Plague
.....Three ground squirrels trapped during routine monitoring on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for plague. County vector control officials said the squirrels represented a low risk of transmission because their blood tests showed their exposure to the  bacteria was not recent, and because they did not carry large numbers of the types of fleas that could transmit the disease. Two of the squirrels were trapped at Cedar Grove Campground; the third was trapped at Doane Valley Campground.
Jack Miller, director of the County Department of Environmental Health, said it was not unusual for animals to test positive for plague in the county’s local mountains during summer months. He said the public could take simple steps to protect themselves from possible exposure when camping and visiting parks by avoiding coming into contact with squirrels and the fleas they carry.
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“Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance"
Dance for Your Health |
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“Protect yourself from the WNV by staying inside when mosquitoes are more active, between dust and dawn"
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Yosemite virus alert to 230,000 
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