Tag Archives: Health Department

Measles Alert!

CONFIRMED MEASLES CASES in SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Rapid and aggressive public health action is needed to respond to measles cases.
It is critical that providers report suspect measles cases to the
Monterey County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit (831-755-4521)

There have been four confirmed cases of measles diagnosed in the San Francisco Bay Area within the last two weeks.  Three individuals (one adult and two unvaccinated toddlers) had recently traveled to Europe and Asia.  The fourth case (an unvaccinated adult) had no history of travel and no known link to the other three cases, raising concern of local transmission.   Because measles is extremely contagious and can be life threatening to susceptible individuals we are alerting clinicians and infection control professionals and requesting they follow these recommendations.

Monterey County Residents Should:

  1. Get Vaccinated!
  • Children should get 2 doses of MMR Vaccine: The first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age
  • Adults, 18 years of age or older or who was born after 1956 should get at least one does of MMR vaccine unless they are certain they have had the disease. Two doses are recommended for health care workers, students, educators, and international travelers.

    2.  Call their health care provider immediately if they experience the following symptoms:

    • Onset of mild fever accompanied by a head cold (nasal congestion and “stuffiness”) and inflamation of the eye lid lining, which may or may not be associated with pain and crusty discharge.
    • Development of a higher fever, could reach up to 104-105 degrees, accompanied by a rash.

      Actions requested of all clinicians:

      1. Be alert for cases of measles. Consider measles in any patient with fever and rash, especially in people with known exposure to the San Francisco index cases, with recent international travel or with exposure to a visitor from abroad, or a US resident who has recently returned from international travel.
      2. Implement airborne precautions immediately for all patients with fever and morbilliform and/or vesicular rash: identify, isolate and provide a facemask for the patient to wear.
      3. Report suspect cases to the Monterey County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit (CDU) at 831-755-4521; in addition, if the case is or was in the hospital, report to your hospital Infection Control Professional (ICP).
      4. Coordinate diagnostic testing (IgM and IgG) with the Communicable Disease Unit.  Using a commercial laboratory may delay diagnosis.
      5. Work with your ICP (if in a hospital) or the CDU (if in other settings) to identify exposed susceptible contacts and assess them for post-exposure prophylaxis and the need for exclusion from work or quarantine.

      For more information view the released Health Advisory.  A printable Flyer is also available for service providers to distribute throughout their organizations.

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      Pet Food Recall

      Nature’s Variety is initiating a voluntary recall for Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet pet food variety, for both dogs and cats with a sale by date of 11/10/2010 because the products maybe contaminated with Salmonella. Unopened packages can be returned to the retailer for a full refund or replacement bag. To view the full press release click here.

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      Trader Joe’s Recall

      Trader Joe’s is voluntarily recalling their self-branded Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars with UPC Code: 82818 and a sell by date codes: 16JUL10H2 and 17JULL10H1 due to possible Salmonella contamination.  Customers are urged to bring this product back to Trader Joe’s for a complete refund.  Read the full Health Department press release here.

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      Pet Treat Recall

      FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats

      The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed by Merrick Pet Care with a package date of “Best By 111911” because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. You can find the full press release here.

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      Parker Products Recall

      Parker Farm recalls products due to possible Listeria contamination.

      The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the following retail stores: Rainbow, Safeway, Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Sams Club, Jewel, Shop Rite, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Nash Finch, Hy-Vee, Byerlys Lunds, and Cub.

      For a list of the recalled products click here.

      On January 19th the recall was expanded to these products.

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      Children and Lead Safety

      children's toysLead is harmful to children. Lead poisoning is especially dangerous for children under the age of six because their rapidly growing and developing bodies absorb more lead. It can cause permanent learning and behavioral problems that make it difficult for children to succeed in school.

      Most children get lead poisoning from deteriorating lead paint in homes built before 1978 or from soil containing lead from gasoline residue. Children can also get lead poisoning from toys and objects decorated with lead-based paint.

      For a tips on how to choose lead safe toys this holiday, click here. Read the full Monterey County Health Department, Childhood Lead Poisoning Factsheet here.

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