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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Advisory
| ADVISORY: | provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. |
July 23, 2024 |
Advisory |
Critical shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC™ blood culture media bottles On July 23, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, and healthcare facility administrators of a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC™ blood culture media bottles. This shortage has the potential to disrupt patient care by leading to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or other challenges in the clinical management of patients with certain infectious diseases. Facilities affected by this shortage should immediately begin to assess their situations and develop plans and options to mitigate the potential impact of the shortage on patient care. For a full list of recommendations, please see the attached Health Advisory. If you were forwarded this message and would like to receive future communications from ACPHD directly, please register yourself for our AC Alert system here. |
April 29, 2024 |
Advisory |
Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local partners are investigating 22 people from 11 states who reported adverse effects after receiving injections with counterfeit botulinum toxin, or injections administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes or spas. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) received reports of two California residents who are included in the investigation; one reported purchasing counterfeit “Botox" on the internet. Both patients received injections in non-health care settings. Botulism is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical and public health response.[BOLD previous sentence] Clinicians must immediately report any patients with suspected botulism to Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) who will then coordinate with CDPH to authorize botulism antitoxin (BAT) release if appropriate. To reach ACPHD, call 510-267-3250 (Option 2), M-F 8:30AM-5PM. After hours and on weekends, ask for the ACPHD Duty Officer on call at 925-422-7595. For more information, please see the full CDC Health Advisory. |
February 16, 2024 |
Advisory |
Cluster of Shigellosis and Shigellemia Cases The Alameda County Public Health Department has detected an increase in reports of infections due to Shigella bacteria species in Alameda County, including cases of bacteremia known as shigellemia. These cases have mainly occurred among residents of Board and Care facilities and persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); some patients also have a history of drug use. In these recently reported cases, most patients have required antibiotics, and some have required hospitalization. Associated isolates have been susceptible to fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. |
January 09, 2024 |
Advisory |
Discontinuation of ciprofloxacin for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) The purpose of this Health Advisory is to update clinicians on the current recommended regimen for post exposure prophylaxis for invasive meningococcal disease in Alameda County. Due to the detection of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Neisseria meningitidis, local health jurisdictions (LHJs) in the Bay Area and Sacramento regions are recommended to discontinue the use of ciprofloxacin for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). |
December 11, 2023 |
Advisory |
Severe and Fatal Confirmed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever among People with Recent Travel to Tecate, Mexico The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the attached Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers and the public about an outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) among people in the United States with recent travel to or residence in the city of Tecate, state of Baja California, Mexico. RMSF is a severe, rapidly progressive, and often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, although many patients do not recall being bitten by a tick. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for patients of all ages. As of December 8, 2023, five patients have been diagnosed with confirmed RMSF since late July 2023; all had travel to or residence in Tecate within 2 weeks of illness onset. RMSF is endemic in multiple border states in northern Mexico, including but not exclusive to Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. Healthcare providers should consider RMSF in their differential diagnosis of patients who have reported recent travel to Tecate, Mexico, or other areas of northern Mexico and subsequently develop signs or symptoms of an unexplained severe febrile illness. Consider initiating doxycycline based on presumptive clinical and epidemiologic findings, and do not delay treatment pending the result of a confirmatory laboratory test. Early treatment with doxycycline saves lives. Healthcare providers can contact ACPHD's Acute Communicable Disease Section at acutecd@acgov.org with questions. |
November 14, 2023 |
Advisory |
Perinatal Hepatitis B Reporting The purpose of this Health Advisory is to remind Healthcare Providers to submit reports of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in a pregnant person OR an infant born to a person with HBV to the ACPHD Perinatal HBV Prevention Program.
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October 13, 2023 |
Advisory |
CAHAN: Preparation for Respiratory Virus Season The California Department of Public Health has issued a Health Advisory Preparation for Respiratory Virus Season (COVID-19, Influenza and RSV) (10/10/23). COVID-19:
o Vaccinating pregnant persons protects infants <6 months old, who had a similar COVID-19 hospitalization rate to adults aged 65–74 in 2022.
o Updated NIH Treatment Guidelines (10/10/23) o AFL-23-29 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Resources for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) (9/26/23) Influenza:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
o Adults 60 and older may receive an RSV vaccine, using shared clinical decision-making. o Persons who are 32-36 weeks during September to January should receive RSV vaccine to protect their babies against severe RSV disease. o Infants younger than 8 months who are born during – or entering – their first RSV season should receive one dose of nirsevimab. Some older infants/toddlers should receive a dose before their second RSV season. COVID-19, influenza & RSV vaccines can be co-administered. See also: Updated laboratory reporting requirements for SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) . |
September 19, 2023 |
Advisory |
Staff Masking Required in Higher-Risk Healthcare Settings beginning November 1st The fall and winter of 2022-2023 saw substantial waves of RSV, flu and COVID-19, and a similar pattern is expected this year. To combat the spread of these viruses to vulnerable patients and residents and minimize the associated risk of severe illness and death, Staff and other workers in specified Health Care Facilities (HCFs) in Alameda County are required to wear high-quality, well-fitting masks in patient care areas from November 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024, regardless of vaccination status (see attached Order). Alameda County is aligning with health jurisdictions across the Bay Area in implementing this policy. HCFs in the City of Berkeley are NOT covered by this Order and should follow City of Berkeley guidance. Order No. 23-02 (requiring Staff in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) to wear masks in patient care areas) that went into effect on April 3, 2023 remains in effect at this time. Order No. 20-16b (SUSPENDED 9/20/2023) (requiring Health Care Workers in specified facilities to receive annual flu vaccinations or wear masks) is suspended, effective September 20, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. in Alameda County. The Order remains in effect in the City of Berkeley at this time. Please see Order No. 23-03 for detailed information. |
September 11, 2023 |
Advisory |
Update 2 Penicillin G Benzathine Shortage, September 6 2023 This health advisory is to provide updates on the ongoing, nationwide shortage of penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin® L-A), first reported on April 26, 2023. Alameda County released a health advisory April 28 on this shortage. Pfizer is the sole supplier of Bicillin® L-A, and currently anticipates that the shortage will not be resolved until quarter 2 of 2024. Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) has not been informed of shortages, but healthcare systems in San Francisco have reported critical shortages of penicillin G benzathine. Bicillin® L-A is the only acceptable treatment for pregnant people infected with or exposed to syphilis and should be prioritized for babies exposed to syphilis in utero. Given the ongoing shortages, it is important supplies be used to treat patients for whom there is no alternative regimen or those unable to adhere to a multiday course of oral treatment. Other intramuscular formulations of penicillin (e.g. Bicillin® C-R) are not acceptable alternatives for the treatment of syphilis. Doxycycline is an Please see the Health Advisory for detailed information, including actions requested of Healthcare Providers. |
September 01, 2023 |
Advisory |
Outbreak of Shigellosis likely associated with a Conference at a Hotel Venue in Downtown Los Angeles, August 21-24, 2023 Alameda County Public Health Department, in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is investigating an outbreak of shigellosis likely associated with a union delegate conference held at a hotel venue in downtown Los Angeles from August 21-24, 2023. The event included an estimated 300+ attendees from across California. As of August 31, 2023, CDPH is reporting six shigellosis cases from four California local health jurisdictions among event attendees, including Alameda County residents. At least three/six cases were PCR+ for Shigella; culture and additional subtyping are pending. Known illness onset dates were on 8/25/23; at least two patients have been hospitalized. As of September 1, 2023, Alameda County is reporting three shigellosis cases to CDPH, all of whom attended this event. To report cases to Alameda County Public Health Department, complete and indicate on the CMR report “LAC Conference Outbreak”. Fax the completed CMR to (510)273-3744 or email acutecd@acgov.org. Please see the Health Advisory for detailed information. |
August 25, 2023 |
Advisory |
Infections with Aeromonas spp. in Participants of a Tough Mudder Endurance event August 19-20, 2023 in Sonoma, CA On August 24, 2023, Sonoma County issued a Health Alert and Media Advisory regarding a Tough Mudder Endurance event that took place on August 19-20th, 2023 in Sonoma, CA. Multiple event participants reportedly developed symptoms of rash with fever, myalgias, nausea/vomiting or respiratory symptoms, often 24 hours after exposure to mud at the event. Culture results implicate a pan-sensitive Aeromonas species. Prompt evaluation of any symptomatic patients is strongly recommended, and empiric antibiotic treatment, until culture results are obtained, should be strongly considered. To report cases to Alameda County Public Health Department, complete and submit CMR reporting as "Unusual/Other" with a note that the patient participated in the Tough Mudder event. Fax the completed CMR to (510)273-3744 or email acutecd@acgov.org within 1 business day. Please see the Health Advisory for detailed information, including actions requested of clinicians. |
July 10, 2023 |
Advisory |
Locally Acquired Malaria Cases Identified in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to share information and notify clinicians, public health authorities, and the public about:
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