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. |
March 06, 2020 |
Advisory |
COVID-19 Testing Recommended for Symptomatic Persons Who Were Aboard the Grand Princess Cruise Cases of COVID-19 have been detected among persons on the Grand Princess Cruise that departed San Francisco February 11 and returned on February 21. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) is advising County residents who were aboard the Grand Princess Cruise who have been symptomatic with fever, new cough or difficulty breathing since the cruise to be tested for COVID-19 by their healthcare provider. Testing is recommended even if symptoms resolved. Commercial testing is now available for COVID-19 without ACPHD approval. General updated COVID-19 testing guidance will be posted shortly. For more information, including Actions Requested of Clinicians, please see the full ACPHD Health Advisory: |
March 03, 2020 |
Update |
COVID-19 Update and Interim Guidance A presumptive case of COVID-19 was detected in an Alameda County resident who had contact to a case in another jurisdiction. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) is taking appropriate action. Cases of COVID-19 without travel history or links to known cases have been reported in our region and across the United States. These cases of COVID-19 in the Bay Area indicate local community transmission, and warrant public health and healthcare providers in Alameda County to continue preparing for increasing numbers of identified cases and a surge of patients. On February 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for evaluating persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19. For more information, please see the full ACPHD Health Update: |
February 19, 2020 |
Update |
Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) The disease caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has now been officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. No COVID-19 cases have been identified in Alameda County. On February 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for evaluating possible persons under investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCoV in the following categories: • Severely ill patients for whom a known source of exposure has not been identified For more information, please see the full ACPHD Health Update: |
February 05, 2020 |
Update |
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) The emerging 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is now circulating in mainland China and cases have been reported in the United States and other countries. On January 31st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated criteria for persons under investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCoV and the U.S. government declared a Public Health Emergency. The declaration included restrictions for travelers entering the country from China, effective February 3. For more information, please see the full ACPHD Health Update: |
January 22, 2020 |
Alert |
Novel Corona Virus 2019 – Wuhan Pneumonia Outbreak The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health update on January 17, 2020 about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov). This CDC HAN Update provides a situational update and guidance that supersedes the January 8, 2020 HAN. It adds guidance for evaluation of patients under investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCoV, prevention and infection control guidance, including the addition of a recommendation for eye protection, and additional information on specimen collection and testing. The first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in the United States is a healthy male in his 30s in Washington State, who arrived at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on January 15, 2020 after traveling to Wuhan. Local suspect cases should be reported immediately by phone to Public Health. Resources for providers, including travel alert posters and a checklist for clinicians managing patients who may have 2019-nCoV, are available online from the CDC. Reporting Alameda County Acute Communicable Disease Control:
Berkeley Public Health Division:
For more information, please see the full CDC Heatlh Update and Alameda County Guidance Checklist: |
January 03, 2020 |
Advisory |
Fentanyl Overdose (Outdated) The increased availability of illicitly-produced fentanyl, fentanyl-compounds, and fake pills is an emerging and ongoing threat to public health and safety. In 2019, 51 opioid-related deaths were reported in Alameda County from January 1, 2019 to December 16, 2019. Many fentanyl overdoses occur among persons who may be aware that they are using fentanyl or a related substance. However, there have been recent anecdotal reports in Alameda County of an increasing number of suspected fentanyl overdoses among persons without a history of opioid use, such as cocaine and methamphetamine users. Many persons who choose to use stimulants are unaware of the emergence of fentanyl laced compound drugs in the overall Bay Area drug supply, and the powerful potency of fentanyl. In addition, many opioid pills, which are made to look like real prescription medications, are now made by counterfeiting organizations and may contain fentanyl. Death from fentanyl toxicity can be more rapid than from other opioids, and overdoses may require more naloxone for reversal than other opioids – prompt peer response is essential. In addition, there are concerns regarding the increase in synthetic opioid and fentanyl derivatives that may be longer-acting, and may not be detected in routine urine toxicology screens. This alert provides awareness and actions for all health care providers in Alameda County to take when presented with a suspected or confirmed opioid overdose case at their facility. |
December 03, 2019 |
Update |
Congenital Syphilis (CS) Screening Guidelines for Pregnant Women Syphilis rates are rising in Alameda County, across California, and throughout the country. Nationally, the rate of congenital syphilis has risen 40% in the last year alone, to a rate of 33 per 100,000 live births in 2018. California has the fifth-highest rate of congenital syphilis in the country, with 68 cases per 100,000 live births in 2018. In Alameda County in 2017, the rate of congenital syphilis was 26 per 100,000 live births. Healthcare providers treating pregnant women can prevent congenital syphilis by following CDC recommended screening and treatment guidelines for pregnant women living in communities with high syphilis prevalence. Please see the full Health Update for more information, including actions requested of clinicians. |
October 02, 2019 |
Advisory |
Mandatory Flu Vaccination or Masking of Health Care Workers During Every Influenza Season (SUSPENDED 9/20/23) Health Officers for Alameda County and the City of Berkeley are reminding health care providers and their employers regarding their joint Health Officer order (originally dated Aug. 28, 2013) (SUSPENDED 9/20/23) mandating that all licensed health care facilities in Alameda County and the City of Berkeley require their health care workers (HCWs) to receive an annual influenza vaccination or, if they decline, wear a mask during every influenza season while working in patient care areas. Influenza season dates are defined as November 1 to April 30 of the following year. This order is ongoing and applies to each influenza season, unless rescinded or modified. |
October 01, 2019 |
Update |
Updates to Reportable Disease Requirements The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has updated the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Sections 2500 and 2505, which govern reporting requirements for healthcare providers and laboratories. Changes to Section 2500 provider reporting requirements are summarized in this Health Update. More information about disease reporting in Alameda County, including Section 2505 laboratory reporting requirements, can be found on our Reportable Diseases & Conditions website. Changes to both sections 2500 and 2505 go into effect October 1, 2019. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) has additional reporting requirements beyond those of the state’s, and as such, clinicians and healthcare facilities must follow Alameda County-specific disease reporting requirements. Please see the full Health Update for more information and updated recommendation for providers. |
September 04, 2019 |
Advisory |
Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury This is an update to our 8/22nd Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury (VAPI) Joint Health Advisory. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to work with local health departments to investigate cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping cannabis and working to analyze vaping products recovered from patients. This advisory includes a revised case definition and requested actions of clinicians. Please see the full Joint Advisory for more information and updated recommendation for providers. Full Joint Health Advisory from Alameda County and the City of Berkeley |
September 03, 2019 |
Update |
Tuberculosis Health Update: Screening for Healthcare Personnel & Nationwide Tuberculin Skin Test Shortage Several updates regarding tuberculosis (TB) have been sent to healthcare facilities in the past few months by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) is releasing this health update to provide a brief summary of two of these notifications: 1) CDPH All Facilities Letter 19–28 regarding TB Screening for Healthcare Personnel; and 2) CDC Nationwide Shortage of TB Skin Test Antigens. Please see the full Tuberculosis Health Update for more information. |
August 22, 2019 |
Advisory |
Severe Acute Pulmonary Disease Associated with Cannabis or Cannabidiol Oil Vaping California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with local health departments to investigate cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping cannabis and working to analyze vaping products recovered from patients. Nearly all patients reported vaping cannabis products in the weeks prior to hospital admission. Since June 2019, at least 20 cases of severe acute pulmonary disease in previously healthy adults were reported in California. Cases were first identified as a cluster of patients seen in Kings County. Cases are among residents of multiple counties in Northern and Southern California. See Full Advisory for more information and recommendations for providers. Full Joint Health Advisory from Alameda County and the City of Berkeley |