Health Provider Alerts

Categories of Urgency Levels

Health Alert: conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention

Health Advisory: provides important information for a specific situation; may not require immediate action

Health Update: provides updated information regarding a situation; unlikely to require immediate action

Showing: 1 – 22 of 22

Novel Coronavirus Identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China
Published on January 17, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection will implement enhanced health screenings to detect ill travelers traveling to the United States on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, China. SFO and LAX, as well as JFK, will require passengers from Wuhan to complete health screening form.
Health Alert: Pesticide Illness Reporting
Published on January 14, 2020
As part of efforts to improve the reporting of pesticide illnesses, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the California Environmental Protection Agency issued a Health Alert.
Influenza Health Advisory December 6 2019
Published on December 6, 2019
Influenza activity within Sonoma County, California and across the nation is increasing and both influenza A and B viruses have been detected.
Vaccination of Health Care Workers for Influenza – Health Order
Published on December 5, 2019
As Health Officer for Sonoma County, I am reissuing the Health Officer Order mandating certain health care facilities in Sonoma County implement programs that require their health care workers (HCWs) to receive an annual influenza vaccination.
Health Alert – Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Injury
Published on August 29, 2019
Physicians in California and at least 22 other states have documented over 200 cases of acute pulmonary disease associated with vaping over the past three months.
SB 1152/ HSC 1262.5 Hospital Patient Discharge Process: Homeless Patients
Published on July 3, 2019
Effective January 1, 2019, California Health & Safety Code Section 1262.5 establishes requirements of general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals and special hospitals serving homeless patients.
Extension of Flu Health Officer Order
Published on April 30, 2019
Although influenza activity is decreasing across the nation, in certain areas, including Sonoma County, activity remains widespread and significantly elevated above baseline.
Health Advisory: Measles Outbreak in California
Published on April 24, 2019
Advise patients with suspected measles to stay home with no visitors until at least 4 days after rash onset AND cleared by Sonoma County Disease Control to resume usual activities.
Influenza Health Advisory
Published on October 24, 2018
Influenza activity within Sonoma County and California is currently low; however, some local healthcare providers are beginning to diagnose influenza.
Health Advisory: Homeless Healthcare Reminder
Published on August 22, 2018
Consider screening for infectious diseases that are not uncommon in homeless communities such as TB, sexually transmitted infections (Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea), HIV, and Hepatitis A/B/C. Seize the opportunity of a healthcare visit and avoid delaying next steps.
Health Advisory: Increased Deaths Involving Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs
Published on August 2, 2018
In Sonoma County, suspected accidental fentanyl related deaths have increased (12 in 2018 as of 7/31/18, 5 in 2017, and 3 in 2016). In California, fentanyl deaths increased from 2016 to 2017 by 57%. In 2017, 373 fentanyl deaths and 1,882 opioid overdose deaths were reported in California.
Health Advisory: Continued Increase in Syphilis Cases
Published on January 29, 2018
There continues to be an increase in early syphilis cases in Sonoma County, including known transmission within heterosexual networks resulting in cases among women of childbearing age. Rising numbers among women increase the potential for congenital syphilis which can cause devastating outcomes for newborns including stillbirth or infant death.
Update to Influenza Health Advisory
Published on December 29, 2017
Influenza activity is rapidly increasing throughout California including Sonoma County. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified influenza A(H3N2) as the predominate strain so far this season.
Health Advisory: Hepatitis A Outbreaks in California; Prevention Recommendations
Published on December 21, 2017
This is an update to the September 2017 Hepatitis A Outbreak health advisory.
Health Advisory: Managing Stress After a Disaster
Published on December 18, 2017
Due to the traumatic events of the October firestorm, many Sonoma County residents are experiencing stress reactions consistent with an exposure to a disaster. We are encouraging all health care providers in the community to be aware of the mental health needs of their patients and to provide appropriate support. Please review the Health Advisory for more information, specific requested actions and resources.
Influenza Health Advisory
Published on October 2, 2017
Influenza activity within Sonoma County and California is currently low; however, some local healthcare providers are beginning to diagnose influenza.
Health Advisory: Hepatitis A Outbreaks in California; Prevention Recommendations
Published on September 28, 2017
Currently, we have no outbreak associated cases of hepatitis A in Sonoma County. However, several California counties (San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles) are reporting outbreaks of genotype IB strains of hepatitis A virus (HAV) among individuals who are homeless and/or using illicit drugs. Additional California counties, Arizona and Utah are reporting cases associated with the outbreaks.
Health Advisory: Benzathine Penicillin G Shortage
Published on August 2, 2017
There is an ongoing national shortage of benzathine penicillin G, the recommended drug for treating primary, secondary and latent syphilis.
Health Advisory: Increased Norovirus Activity in School Settings
Published on May 23, 2017
Several Northern California counties, including Sonoma County, are experiencing an increase in gastrointestinal illness among students and staff in the school setting.
Health Advisory: Botulism in the Region
Published on May 18, 2017
The California Department of Public Health is investigating an outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with consumption of a nacho cheese sauce served at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove.
Health Advisory: County-Wide Safe Pain Management Guidelines
Published on January 17, 2017
Nearly every week, a person in Sonoma County dies from an accidental drug overdose. Prescription drug use and misuse is a large contributing factor to this problem.
Health Update: Influenza
Published on January 17, 2017
Influenza activity is rapidly increasing in California and Sonoma County, although other respiratory viruses are also circulating (e.g. RSV).