Ebola Virus and West Nile Virus Update
There is currently a large outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and most recently, Nigeria. As of August 19, the World Health Organization has reported a cumulative total of 2240 suspect and confirmed cases and 1229 deaths. CDC has advised travelers to avoid all non-essential travel to Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and has issued a lower level alert for Nigeria. As of August 19, 2014, there are no EVD cases acquired in the United States. While the risk of importation of Ebola into the United States is considered to be very low, Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to prepare in the event that a returning traveler from these countries develops illness that may be concerning for EVD. Early identification of such cases and prompt infection control implementation will be key components to containment and prevention of spread.
As of August 13, 2014, Alameda County reported 51 dead birds and 10 mosquito pools positive for West Nile Virus (WNV); this is an unusually high number and already higher than all prior years. Mosquito Abatement has undertaken precautions to treat mosquitoes in areas where activity is highest in Livermore. There are currently no reported symptomatic cases of human WNV in Alameda County this year, and there are 57 reported human cases in CA from 36 jurisdictions.