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. |
May 21, 2020 |
Advisory |
Discontinuation of COVID-19 Transmission-Based Precautions Guidance for Alameda County Patients and residents at Acute Care Hospitals and Long Term Care Facilities in Alameda County with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection must be isolated or in an appropriate cohort using Transmission-Based Precautions for the duration of their infectious period. Federal guidance for removal of Transmission-Based Precautions offers several different strategies to determine the end of the infectious period. This Advisory describes the criteria that must be met to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions for patients and residents with suspected or confirmed infection with COVID-19, including individuals who have been diagnosed with asymptomatic infection. |
May 20, 2020 |
Advisory |
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 is now reportable to Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). Report cases meeting CDC’s case definition for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) within 24 hours to the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) at (510) 267-3250, Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5 pm. After hours and on weekends, call Alameda County Fire Dispatch at (925) 422- 7595 and ask to speak to the Public Health Duty Officer on call. Laboratory results must be reported by Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR), fax or secure email within 24 hours. Please make sure to report as completely as possible, including race and ethnicity information. |
May 13, 2020 |
Advisory |
Resumption of Non-Urgent Health Care Services in Alameda County As Alameda County continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, providers and facilities are encouraged to gradually resume full scope of services when possible and safe to do so, based on California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) guidance. |
May 12, 2020 |
Advisory |
Updated COVID-19 Testing Guidance for Alameda County The following updated guidance for COVID-19 laboratory testing is intended to inform Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) efforts to control the epidemic and aid decision-making by clinicians and other testing providers. The guidance sets out groups that should be prioritized for testing but it is not a requirement to test in these groups. Testing decisions and policies must be flexible to account for ongoing limitations in testing resources and protective equipment. Clinical judgment should be used to guide testing of symptomatic persons. ACPHD typically issues additional testing guidance for certain settings and situations, including outbreaks. |
April 08, 2020 |
Advisory |
New COVID-19 Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements for Alameda County As of April 7, 2020, a total of 602 COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths have been reported among Alameda County residents, excluding the City of Berkeley. Although the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) continues to conduct individual COVID-19 case and contact investigations, we are prioritizing public health resources towards investigations in settings (e.g., long-term care facilities) or among persons (e.g., healthcare providers or first responders) where there is concern for ongoing transmission. To ensure that ACPHD prioritizes resources for public health investigations, effective April 8, 2020 we have modified our County’s COVID-19 reporting requirements for healthcare providers as summarized in tjhis Health Advisory. For more information on testing specifics, please see the full ACPHD Health Advisory: |
April 03, 2020 |
Advisory |
Health Care Providers to Disseminate ACPHD Isolation and Quarantine Orders to Patients with Suspected COVID-19 The Alameda County Health Officer issued blanket isolation orders that will apply to all persons diagnosed with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and blanket quarantine orders that will apply to close contacts of cases. Effective 4/3/20, Alameda County Public Health Department directs Alameda County health care partners to disseminate blanket orders to all patients being tested for COVID-19 or who are presumptively diagnosed with COVID-19 without testing BEFORE they leave the health care facility. Alameda County healthcare providers should use the procedure described in the Update to request COVID-19 testing by our Public Health Lab (ACPHL). Please limit testing requests by phone to the hours 9am-5pm, 7 days per week. For more information on testing specifics, please see the full ACPHD Health Advisory: |
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: |
January 03, 2020 |
Advisory |
Fentanyl Overdose 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. Please see the full Health Advisory 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. |
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 |
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 |
August 01, 2019 |
Advisory |
Travel Associated Diseases: Ebola, Dengue, Malaria, and Measles Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) and the City of Berkeley Public Health Division (COBPHD) regularly receive reports of malaria, dengue, and measles in persons with a history of international travel. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has also re-emerged in an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the early symptoms of these diseases are non-specific, travel history is essential for timely diagnosis. Patients may not be aware of pre-travel recommendations for measles immunization or malaria chemoprophylaxis; proactive questioning about planned or recent travel assists with prevention, appropriate infection control, and diagnosis. Please see the Full Travel Associated Diseases Health Advisory for more information and an outline of actions requested of Healthcare Professionals. |