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. |
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 (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. |
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. |
April 08, 2019 |
Advisory |
Measles in Alameda County Situation Update for Alameda County:
Clinicians are requested to consider/suspect measles in patients with a rash and fever ≥101°F (38.3°C) regardless of travel history. Ask about measles vaccination and exposure to known measles cases, international travel, or international visitors in the three weeks prior to illness. Please see complete Clinician Guidance in the full Health Advisory. |
February 28, 2019 |
Advisory |
CDPH Measles Clinical Guidance Measles continues to circulate in much of the world, including Europe, Asia and Africa. International travel, domestic travel through international airports, and contact with international visitors can pose a risk for exposure to measles. Recent measles outbreaks in other states have sparked concern about the risk to Californians. However, to date, all measles cases in the current Clark County, Washington measles outbreak were exposed locally, with little risk to Californians unless they travel to Clark County. While providers should consider measles in patients with fever and a descending rash, measles is unlikely in the absence of confirmed measles cases in your community or a history of travel or exposure to travelers. This guidance discusses which patients should be prioritized for measles testing |
January 31, 2019 |
Advisory |
Discharge Guidelines for Patients Experiencing Homelessness Effective January 1, 2019, California Health & Safety Code Section 1262.5 requires general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals and special hospitals to offer the following to patients experiencing homelessness prior to discharge:Screening or referrals “for infectious disease common to the region, as determined by the local health department” Immunizations appropriate to their “presenting medical condition” The full advisory provides joint guidance to hospitals within the local health jurisdictions of Alameda County and the City of Berkeley to comply with Section 1262.5. |
January 23, 2019 |
Advisory |
Third Case of Rifampin/Penicillin-Resistant Strain of RB51 Brucella from Consuming Raw Milk On January 23, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory regarding Brucella RB51 exposures from consuming raw milk. The CDC reports on three confirmed cases of brucellosis from Brucella RB51 as well as exposures in 19 states, including California. The full health advisory can be found at the link below. Per Title 17 section 2500,2505, suspected and confirmed cases of Brucellosis are immediately reportable to the local public health department. To report cases to Alameda County Public Health Department, contact: Acute Communicable Diseases Section: 510-267-3250 M-F 8:30am-5pm. Weekends and afterhours: 925-422-7595 |