Alert

August 16, 2024

Alert

Clad I Mpox Increased Infections: Recommendations for California Health Care Providers

This Health Alert is to update providers on Clade I mpox.  Clade I mpox infections have continued to increase in the Democr​atic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and there have been confirmed cases in neighboring countries; a case was recently detected in Sweden. At this time, there have been no cases reported in the U.S. The WHO has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

• Clade I mpox is associated with increased transmissibility and fatality rates when compared to the currently circulating clade II mpox in the US.
• Medical countermeasures used in the ongoing global outbreak, including the mpox vaccine, and antiviral medications (Tecovirimat (TPOXX)) are anticipated to be effective for clade I mpox.
  • Continue to recommend mpox vaccination (JYNNEOS) for those who may be at risk and ensure patients complete the 2-dose vaccine series.
  • Ask all patients with mpox-like illness about: 1) recent travel to DRC or neighboring countries (e.g. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda); 2) being a close contact to travelers returning from DRC or neighboring countries within the prior 21 days; and 3) being a contact to someone with mpox clade I illness. See here for updates on the location of cases of Clade I related to the outbreak, as this is changing.
  • If the patient with mpox-like illness or close contacts have had recent travel to DRC or neighboring countries:
    • Notify ACPHD by contacting sexualhealth@acgov.org
    • Test for mpox using appropriate infection control practices and a routine test kit; submit a specimen for clade-specific testing to CDPH.
      • Instructions on how to send a specimen to CDPH can be found here: VRDL Test Page - Monkeypox Virus PCR (ca.gov)

Reference:  CAHAN:  Update on Clade I Mpox Geographical Spread in Africa: Recommendations for California Health Care Providers

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. 

March 18, 2024

Alert

Measles cases on the rise!

A rise in cases of Measles across the U.S., including in California, is being reported by CDC and CDPH. Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) is urging all healthcare facilities and clinicians to be on alert and to consider measles in persons presenting with a febrile rash illness. Please review this full health advisory for recommendations.

Please be advised that Measles is an immediately reportable condition per Title 17 Section 2500 of the California Code of Regulations. A suspect case of Measles must be immediately reported by telephone to the local health jurisdiction. Delays in reporting can result in delayed diagnosis and on-going transmission.

To report a case or suspect case of measles in Alameda County, please call ACPHD’s Acute Communicable Diseases Section at 510-267-3250 (Option 2), M-F 8:30-5PM. After hours and on weekends, please call the Alameda County Fire Dispatch at 925-422-7595 and ask to speak with the Public Health Duty Officer on-call.

Clinicians and healthcare settings are encouraged to use this Measles Info Sheet from the American Academy of Pediatrics or a similar resource to ensure awareness and implementation of immediate isolation, communication and coordination, especially among staff working in urgent care centers and emergency rooms.

October 18, 2022

Alert

Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness

On October 7, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a health alert regarding the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda caused by the Sudan virus. As of October 12, a total of 74 cases (54 confirmed, 20 probable) and 30 deaths (19 confirmed, 20 probable) have been identified from five affected districts (Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kassanda, Kagadi, Bunyangabu) in Uganda. CDPH, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is closely monitoring the outbreak and providing guidance and notification to local health jurisdictions receiving travelers returning from Uganda. To date, there are no suspected or confirmed cases reported in the United States. This Alert includes requested actions for Alameda County clinicians and healthcare facilities.

• ACPHD Health Alert

December 28, 2021

Alert

CAHAN Disease Notification - CDPH Health Alert - Authorization of Paxlovid

On December 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms).

The federal government will be allocating Paxlovid to states, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will allocate Paxlovid to jurisdictions based on new COVID-19 cases and an equity measure. Given the limited amount of Paxlovid available, product scarcity is expected. The attached Health Alert outlines suggested prioritization of patients for Paxlovid and ethical considerations in settings of limited availability.

On December 23, 2021, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Merck’s molnupiravir for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. More information about the allocation of molnupiravir is coming soon.

For clinical questions, please contact Arnie Spanjers, MD, at arnie.spanjers@acgov.org

For allocation questions, please contact Cynthia Frankel, RN, MN at cynthia.frankel@acgov.org

• CDPH Health Alert

December 01, 2021

Alert

SARS-CoV-2 virus variant of concern B.1.1.529 (Omicron)

• ACPHD Health Alert
• CDPH Health Advisory
• CDC Health Alert

November 20, 2020

Alert

Updates November 2, 2020 Health Alert (SUSPENDED 9/20/23)

Health Officers for Alameda County and the City of Berkeley are updating their joint Health Officer order mandating that all licensed health care facilities in Alameda County and the City of Berkeley require their health care workers (HCW) to receive an annual influenza vaccination. This Order mandates that health care facilities implement a process for requiring HCW to receive vaccination unless a HCW can produce sufficient documentation to obtain a medical exemption. Unlike in previous years, mask wearing is not an adequate substitution for vaccination under this Order.

Health Officers for Alameda County and the City of Berkeley are clarifying their previous joint order (No. 20-16) mandating that all licensed health care facilities in Alameda County and the City of Berkeley require their health care workers (HCW) to receive an annual influenza vaccination. In accordance with previous years, this updated Order includes an exemption for HCW who opt to not receive influenza vaccination due to religious beliefs.

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:

• Weekdays 8:30am–5pm Phone: (510) 267-3250
• After hours Phone: (925) 422-7595 and ask for the public health duty officer on call.

Berkeley Public Health Division:

• Weekdays 8am-5pm Phone: (510) 981-5292
• After hours: Phone: (510) 981-5911 and ask for the Health Officer on call.

For more information, please see the full CDC Heatlh Update and Alameda County Guidance Checklist:

• Full CDC Health Update (1/17/20)
• Alameda County Guidance Checklist (1/22/20)
• CDPH All Facilities Update and Interim Guidance (1/23/20)

May 20, 2019

Alert

Measles

Current Situation:

The City of Berkeley has 1 confirmed case of measles in a Berkeley adult resident. This individual is no longer contagious. This resident spent time at a few public venues during the infectious period (05/05/19 – 5/13/19), and it is not possible to identify every individual who may have been exposed. One location where there was prolonged exposure was the Berkeley Bowl located on Oregon Street. The resident visited the establishment on May 7th between 3 and 5 pm.

Please see the Full Measles Health Alert for more information and an outline of actions requested of Healthcare Professionals.

Full Measles Health Alert

October 11, 2017

Alert

Unhealthy Air Quality Due to Wildfires

Information is evolving rapidly; please check website resources listed for most current information.

Very unhealthy air quality from the North Bay wildfires continues to cause unprecedented levels of air pollution throughout the Bay Area.  Due to changing wind patterns, air quality could be impacted for many days.  Local air quality will be variable and unpredictable; it may improve at times, or get worse very quickly.

Today's air quality for the majority of Alameda County is within the 100-150 range, which is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air quality tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are expected to worsen and be designated Unhealthy. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.  Residents should protect themselves from the impacts of heavy smoke. If you  see or smell smoke in the immediate area, avoid outdoor activity, including exercise.

Prevention
Bay Area residents impacted by wildfire smoke are advised to:

• Stay aware of health warnings related to smoke.
• Close windows and doors.
• Set air conditioning units and car vent systems on re-circulate to avoid drawing in outside air./li>
• Limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke.
• Parents and school/day care administrators should check air quality readings before allowing children to engage in outdoor sports and recreational activities while air quality is unhealthy.

Website Resources:

• Bay Area Air Quality District: Air Monitoring Data
• CDC for smoke-related sickness: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html
• Bay Area Air Quality District for air advisories, Spare the Air Alerts:  http://www.baaqmd.gov/
• Cal Fire statewide fire summary, updates on evacuations, red flag warnings:  http://www.fire.ca.gov/
• National Weather Service 5-day forecast: http://www.weather.gov/forecastmaps

Full Unhealthy Air Quality Health Advisory

April 19, 2016

Alert

Drug Overdose Health Alert: Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco ®

Clarification on Reporting to County Public Health

Overdoses due to illicitly obtained drugs that strongly resemble the prescription drug Norco® have been reported in California, including in Sacramento and Contra Costa County. Instead of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, these counterfeit drugs actually contained an undetermined amount of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Drug Overdose Health Alert on April 8, 2016 entitled "Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco®". This alert describes the recent report of 48 overdoses and at least 10 deaths over a 10-day period in Sacramento County that appear to be associated with the consumption of these counterfeit Norco® pills. CDPH is requesting that all health care facilities report suspected and confirmed fentanyl overdoses to local health departments to assess the magnitude and outcomes of this situation in California. 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.

• Full Alameda County Public Health Department Advisory
• CDPH Drug Overdose Health Alert: Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco - April 8, 2016

September 05, 2012

Alert

Hantavirus Guidance for Physicians with Patients Presenting with Concerns or Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

The California Department of Public Health is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Park Service to investigate the outbreak of hantavirus in recent visitors to Yosemite National Park. CDPH issued this more detailed health alert and guidance for physicians that supports and builds on the previous ACPHD health alert.

• CDPH alert/guidance

October 05, 2011

Alert

Healthcare Providers: Mumps Health Alert

Alameda County has 4 confirmed and 3 probable cases of Mumps that are epidemiologically linked. Individuals are at increased risk for mumps if they are unvaccinated. Mumps should be considered in the differential diagnosis even in fully immunized individuals.

• Health Alert from Alameda County Public Health