As 2025 comes to a close, Michelle Corson, Program Manager and Public Relations Officer for Kern County Public Health, discussed preliminary data on topics including Valley Fever and measles. She also gave tips for staying healthy during the Holiday season.
Q: In 2025, did the department see a spike in a specific type of visit?
A: We did not observe spikes associated with any specific visit types at our clinic, and this is not a metric tracked countywide.
Q: What diseases or infections had the highest mortality rates in 2025?
A: While 2025 data is preliminary, cancer is the most common cause of death in Kern County. Many of the top 10 causes of death in Kern County residents tend to be chronic disease conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke.
Here are the preliminary top 10 Causes of Mortality for 2025:
- Cancer
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Alzheimer’s
- COPD
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Accidents, other than motor vehicles
- Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Influenza and Pneumonia
Q: Did anything shock you all in the past year regarding health stats?
A: Ongoing measles transmission in the United States continues to be a concern. While there have been no cases identified in Kern County residents so far, there have been cases in California, including Los Angeles and other parts of the Central Valley. Additionally, the continuing high rates of pertussis remain concerning.
Q: How have the rates for Valley Fever compared to the past few years? Has mortality increased?
A: While data is still preliminary, the number of valley fever cases appears to be slightly less than what was seen in 2024. The number of deaths also appears to be less than last year.
Q: Is there anything you believe the community should be aware of?
A: We encourage our community to be aware of potential health issues in any travel destinations during the holidays and year-round. There are multiple CDC travel alerts regarding areas with vector-borne disease outbreaks like chikungunya and yellow fever. Learn more: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.
Keep your holiday meals safe! Always keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods. When cooking, use a food thermometer to check the temperature in the center or thickest part of the meat to make sure it’s reached the proper internal temperature. This is the best way to kill harmful bacteria. You can find more food safety tips at https://www.foodsafety.gov/.
Q: Do you have any tips for people to stay healthy during the holiday season?
A: Taking care of your health during the holidays helps you enjoy the season and return to school and work feeling your best.
- Eat balanced meals and enjoy treats in moderation: Try to include fruits, vegetables, and whole foods while still enjoying holiday foods in reasonable portions.
- Drink water and limit sugary drinks: Staying hydrated supports digestion and energy, while cutting back on sugary drinks helps prevent fatigue and tooth decay.
- Stay active with daily movement like walking or stretching: Regular movement keeps your body strong, boosts mood, and helps manage stress.
- Get enough sleep and keep a regular bedtime: Quality sleep supports your immune system, focus, and overall well-being.
- Wash hands often with soap and water: Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.
- Cover coughs and sneezes and avoid touching your face: These habits reduce the chance of spreading or catching illness.
- If you are sick, contact your healthcare provider to see if medical intervention is needed.
