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.
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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. |
September 21, 2021 |
Advisory |
Maintain Vigilance for Vaccine Preventable Diseases Due to the need for evacuation, individuals from Afghanistan are being resettled in the United States including California. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) asks clinicians caring for this vulnerable community to remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of measles, polio, and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as mumps, varicella and pertussis among persons recently resettled from Afghanistan. Clinicians are urged to contact the local health department to report suspected cases of these vaccine-preventable diseases. See advisory for additional details, guidance, and recommendations. |
September 15, 2021 |
Advisory |
Health Recommendations for Asylees and Refugees After recent evacuation, individuals from Afghanistan are being resettled in the United States. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) asks that clinicians remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of measles, polio, and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as mumps, varicella and pertussis among persons in California who were recently in Afghanistan. Clinicians are urged to contact their local health department to report suspected cases of these vaccine-preventable diseases. |
August 31, 2021 |
Advisory |
Recent State Orders and All Facilities Letter The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has recently released multiple Health Officer Orders and new/revised All Facility Letters. Please be familiar with the requirements for your facility, staff and patients. |
July 20, 2021 |
Advisory |
Guillain-Barré Syndrome after J & J COVID-19 Vaccine On July 13, 2021, the FDA announced an update to the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine EUA fact sheet to include a warning about Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Based on an analysis of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS) data, there have been 100 preliminary reports of GBS following vaccination with the J & J vaccine. These cases have largely been reported about two weeks after vaccination and mostly in males, many aged 50 years and older. Clinicians should inquire about recent J & J COVID-19 vaccination in any patient presenting with signs or symptoms consistent with GBS (i.e. weakness or tingling sensations, especially in the legs or arms, that are worsening and spreading to other parts of the body; difficulty walking or with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing; double vision or inability to move the eyes; difficulty with bladder control or bowel function). |
July 08, 2021 |
Advisory |
Excessive Heat Warning for the Bay Area The National Weather Service has posted an excessive heat warning and temperatures in parts of Alameda County are expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend. Providers are encouraged to remind their clients to stay hydrated and stay indoors, if possible, and monitor for warning signs of health-related illness. |
July 06, 2021 |
Advisory |
Multistate Investigation of Non-travel Associated Burkholderia pseudomallei Infections (Melioidosis) On June 30, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers that they, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Minnesota Department of Health are investigating three cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis) infections. Symptoms of melioidosis are varied and nonspecific and may include pneumonia, abscess formation, and/or blood infections. Due to its nonspecific symptoms, melioidosis can initially be mistaken for other diseases such as tuberculosis, and proper treatment may be delayed. |
June 10, 2021 |
Advisory |
Increased Interseasonal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Parts of the Southern United States On June 10th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers about increased interseasonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity across parts of the Southern United States. Due to this increased activity, CDC encourages broader testing for RSV among patients presenting with acute respiratory illness who test negative for SARS-CoV-2. |
May 28, 2021 |
Advisory |
Myocarditis and Pericarditis after Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adolescents and Young Adults On May 28th, CDPH issued a Health Advisory about reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and young adults, which are being investigated by the CDC. COVID-19 immunization is still recommended for persons 12 years of age and older. All cases of myocarditis following receipt of COVID-19 vaccine, as well as other adverse events following vaccination, should be reported promptly to the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) https://vaers.hhs.gov/. |
May 25, 2021 |
Advisory |
Cases of Myocarditis/Pericarditis after Receipt of mRNA Vaccines On May 17th, the CDC Vaccine Safety Technical (VaSt) Work Group released a statement on reports of myocarditis following mRNA vaccines. VaST concluded that there are relatively few reports of myocarditis to date and that these cases seem to occur:
Please report cases of myocarditis or pericarditis after vaccination promptly to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). |
April 29, 2021 |
Advisory |
Detection and containment of Carbapenemase-producing Acinitobacter Baumanii The purpose of this joint Health Advisory is to instruct clinicians in Alameda County to test and screen for Carbapenem-resistant Acinitobacter baumanii bacteria. |
April 28, 2021 |
Advisory |
Revised Reporting Requirements for Suspect Variant SARS-CoV-2 Infections The purpose of this Health Advisory is to inform clinicians in Alameda County about the changes in reporting for Variants of Concern, including: (1) Definition of Vaccine Breakthrough Cases of Interest (VBCIs) and (2) Deletion of specific quarantine requirements for close contacts of persons with VOC infections. This advisory was updated April 27, 2021. |
April 21, 2021 |
Advisory |
Reporting cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of J&J vaccine On April 21, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued the following Health Advisory: Pause in administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; Reporting of cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following receipt of J &J COVID-19 vaccine, as well as other adverse events following vaccination, should be reported to the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). |