The Alameda County Public Health Department sends out Health Alerts, Advisories, and Updates regarding communicable disease outbreaks, immunization updates, and other public health concerns to Alameda County clinicians and other partners. See recent releases below.
Sign up for
Subscribe today to AC Alert, Alameda County’s 24/7 notification system, to begin receiving emergency alerts.
Health Care Provider AC Alert Registration Form: Health Updates, Advisories, and Alerts, as well as other pertinent information, are sent out to healthcare providers and other relevant contacts in Alameda County through a Public Health-specific subscription in AC Alert. Healthcare providers can register to receive these communications.
Main AC Alert Registration Form: All Alameda County residents are encouraged to register themselves for AC Alert messages from several Alameda County agencies via other subscription options.
Health Alerts
| ALERT | conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. |
| ADVISORY | provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. |
| UPDATE | provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. |
August 27, 2013 |
Advisory |
Tuberculin Skin Test Solution Shortages Ongoing shortages of Tubersol and limited availability of Aplisol, the purified protein derivative (PPD) solutions used for tuberculin skin testing (TST) may impact provider ability to assess patients for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). In April 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued information regarding nationwide shortages of Tubersol and Aplisol solutions. The current projection for restoration of normal production of Tubersol is this fall. The shortage of Tubersol has created increased demand for Aplisol and shortages of both PPD solutions. See Advisory for information on prioritization and substitutions for TST tests. |
June 07, 2013 |
Advisory |
Hepatitis A: Multistate Outbreak Linked to Frozen Berry Product and Alameda County Pharmacy Exposure As of June 7, 2013, the CDC reports 79 people from 8 states with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections that may be linked to consumption of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix widely distributed in Costco stores. As of June 7, the California Department of Public Health reports 33 California residents from 15 local health jurisdictions (including 1 Alameda County case) are part of this outbreak. Costco has removed the product from their stores and is notifying customers who bought the product. The manufacturer has recalled the product. |
June 03, 2013 |
Update |
Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A As of May 31, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 30 people ill with acute hepatitis A from five states, including California. Illnesses may be linked to consumption of contaminated “Townsend Farms brand Organic Antioxidant Blend”, a frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix, sold from late February 2013 until late May 2013 at Costco stores. Health care providers evaluating patients with acute hepatitis should ask about exposure to this product and report suspected cases to Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-267-3250. Health care providers should provide hepatitis A postexposure prophylaxis to patients who are susceptible to hepatitis A infection within two weeks of their last exposure to this berry product. |
May 01, 2013 |
Update |
Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H7N9) As of April 29, 2013, Chinese public health officials have reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) a total of 126 human cases of laboratory-confirmed avian influenza A (H7N9) in China, including 24 deaths. Dates of illness onset range from February 19 to April 27, 2013. Very limited person-to-person transmission or epidemiologic link between a few of the cases has been identified. |
April 09, 2013 |
Update |
Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H7N9) As of April 7, 2013, Chinese public health official have reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) a total of 21 human cases of laboratory-confirmed avian influenza A (H7N9) in China, including 6 deaths, 12 cases with severe respiratory illness, and three mild cases. These are the first known human infections with this influenza strain. No cases of human infection with novel influenza A (H7N9) have been detected in the U.S. |
February 04, 2013 |
Advisory |
Doxycycline and Tetracycline Shortage On February 4, 2013 the State of California Department of Public Health released a notification about recent shortages of Doxycycline and Tetracycline, which may impact your ability to treat or provide prophylaxis for patients. |
January 25, 2013 |
Advisory |
Nationwide Shortage of Isonizaid (INH) There is currently a nationwide shortage of INH, one of the most important drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent TB infection (LTBI). The low inventory is attributed to a shortage of the active ingredient for making INH and shipping delays. |
October 04, 2012 |
Advisory |
Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Product The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are coordinating a multi-state investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection. Several of these patients also suffered strokes that are believed to have resulted from their infection. |
September 05, 2012 |
Alert |
Hantavirus Guidance for Physicians with Patients Presenting with Concerns or Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome The California Department of Public Health is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Park Service to investigate the outbreak of hantavirus in recent visitors to Yosemite National Park. CDPH issued this more detailed health alert and guidance for physicians that supports and builds on the previous ACPHD health alert. |
August 31, 2012 |
Update |
Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome in California The California Department of Public Health has reported six confirmed cases of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) in visitors who stayed in Yosemite National Park from early June to mid-July 2012. Clinicians are asked to educate patients that HCPS is a rare disease that is prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and excreta. Clinicians may consider testing for HCPS in patients with fever, severe pulmonary disease and a history of contact with rodents in rural areas. Suspected HCPS cases should be reported to Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-267-3250. |
May 06, 2012 |
Advisory |
Hot Summer Weather Advisory The summer season with its potential for fluctuating high temperatures is approaching. Health care facilities are reminded that the elderly and other health compromised individuals are more susceptible to extremes in temperature and dehydration. |
January 25, 2012 |
Advisory |
Novel H3N2 Influenza Virus: Increaed Surveillance California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requesting increased surveillance and testing for influenza in children less than 18 years of age. Since July 2011, a novel swine-origin triple reassortant H3N2 influenza virus (S-OtrH3N2) has been reported in 5 states with a total of 12 cases. California has no cases but heightened surveillance is being requested. |