Public Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates
Alerts
Public health information that is vital, time sensitive and specific to an incident or situation. Information posted here warrants immediate action or attention.
There are no alerts as of 7.14.2022
Advisories
Public health information that is specific to an incident or situation. Information contains recommendations or actionable items. Advisory information may not require immediate attention.
10.26.22 NC Division of Public Health Increase in Respiratory Illness
This memo:
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describes, as observed by current surveillance, an increase in activity of multiple respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 across the state including influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus/enterovirus
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includes recommended actions for clinicians for influenza, RSV, rhinoviruses and/or enteroviruses, including EV-D68, and COVID-19
9.15.2022 NC Division of Public Health Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) and Poliomyelitis Testing and Reporting (Replaces version dated October 24, 2018)
This memo provides updated information regarding identification and management of suspected cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and poliomyelitis and to provide guidance on reporting of such cases to public health officials.
9.9.2022 CDC Health Alert Network No. 474 Severe Respiratory Illnesses Associated with Rhinoviruses and/or Enteroviruses Including EV-D68 Multistate, 2022
The purpose of this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory is to:
- Notify healthcare providers, laboratories, infection control specialists, and public health departments about recent increases in severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization in children
- Urge healthcare providers to consider EV-D68 as a possible cause of acute, severe respiratory illness (with or without fever) in children
- Advise of the potential for an increase in AFM cases in the upcoming weeks, and
- Provide CDC recommendations to healthcare providers, laboratories, infection preventionists, public health departments, and the public.
7.30.2022 CDC Health Alert Network No. 472: Update for Clinicians on Monkeypox in People with HIV, Children and Adolescents, and People who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update serves to alert clinicians to clinical considerations for preventing, diagnosing, and managing monkeypox in people with HIV, children, adolescents, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
7.28.2022 CDC Health Alert Network No. 471: Update for Clinicians on Testing and Treatment for Monkeypox
This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update serves to alert clinicians on commercial testing capability, collecting clinical specimens for testing, and using TPOXX® (tecovirimat) for treating monkeypox.
7.28.2022 NC Division of Public Health Memo for HIV PrEP Providers
This memo reaches out to HIV PrEP and sexual health care providers. It :
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asks providers to get monkeypox vaccine to patients who may be eligible
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includes current eligibility criteria for the monkeypox vaccine and
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links providers to information about vaccination sites
7.21.2022 New York State Department of Health New York State Department of Health and Rockland County Department of Health Alert the Public to a Case of Polio in the County
7.14.2022 NC Division of Health and Human Services Person-to-Person Monkeypox Transmission in Multiple Countries (UPDATED)
This memo replaces the version dated July 12, 2022. It intends to provide an update regarding the prevention of monkeypox and the evaluation and response to possible cases. Key updates include expanded testing availability, vaccine eligibility, and treatment information.
7.12.2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recent Reports of Human Parechovirus (PeV) in the United States - 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health departments that parechovirus (PeV) is currently circulating in the United States. The advisory includes background information about human parechoviruses and recommendations for clinicians and public health departments.
6.14.2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updated Case-finding Guidance: Monkeypox Outbreak—United States, 2022
This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update serves to
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alert clinicians to clinical presentations of monkeypox seen so far in the United States
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provide updated and expanded case definitions intended to encourage testing for monkeypox among persons presenting for care with relevant history, signs, and symptoms
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provide an update to the CDC HAN Health Advisory issued May 20, 2022, titled Monkeypox Virus Infection in the United States and Other Non-endemic Countries—2022. In people with epidemiologic risk factors, rashes initially considered characteristic of more common infections (e.g., varicella zoster, herpes, syphilis) should be carefully evaluated for concurrent characteristic monkeypox rash (see images and links in update) and considered for testing.
5.24.2022 CDC COVID-19 Rebound after Paxlovid Treatment
This advisory updates healthcare providers, public health departments, and the public on the potential recurrence of COVID-19 or "COVID-19 rebound".
4.22.2022 NC Division of Public Health Increase in Reports of Pediatric Hepatitis Internationally, 2022
This memo provides information regarding identification and reporting of acute pediatric hepatitis cases of unknown etiology.
4.21.2022 CDC Recommendations for Adenovirus Testing and Reporting of Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology
This CDC advisory:
- describes a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus
- recommends clinician consideration of adenovirus testing in pediatric patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology
- describes preferred testing
- requests notification of possible cases
12.6.2021 NC Division of Public Health Increasing Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) Activity
This memo provides guidance and information to providers on increased influenza A (H3N2) activity and updated guidance on the use of antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the setting of co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2.
11.24.2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Increasing Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) Activity , Especially Among Young Adults and in College and University Settings, During SARS-CoV-2 Circulation
The CDC issued this health advisory to notify health practitioners and clinicians about increased Influenza A (H3N2) activity that could mark the beginning of the 2021-2022 influenza season. The advisory contains recommended actions for health practitioners, clinicians, and the public.
11.15.2021 NC Division of Public Health Statewide Increase in Syphilis Infections
This public health advisory describes the continuing increase in syphilis infections in North Carolina, outlines actions for clinicians and provides links to relevant resources.
10.14.2021 NC Division of Public Health 2021-2022 Influenza Season: Update for NC Clinicians
This memo provides information and guidance to NC clinicians regarding updates for the 2021-22 influenza season. As guidance may change during the influenza season, up to date information can be found at flu.nc.gov.
9.21.2021 CDC Health Advisory COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends urgent action to increase Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future.
7.30.2021 NC Division of Public Health Out of Season Increases in RSV
This memo provides information and guidance to providers on out of season increases in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in North Carolina and on Medicaid coverage of Palivizumab (Synagis) in high-risk infants for passive immunoprophylaxis against RSV.
Memo: Out of Season Increases in RSV
Updates
Updated public health information specific to an incident or situation. Information posted here is unlikely to require immediate action.
There are no updates as of 7.14.2022
Below are links to public health alerts, advisories and updates as well communicable disease prevention information and resources you need.
Communicable Disease Resources
Communicable Disease Reporting
- What communicable diseases must be reported?
- Who must report communicable diseases?
- Physicians, school administrators and child care operators, medical facilities and operators of restaurants and other food or drink establishments (G.S. § 130A-135 through 130A-139) must report cases or suspected cases of reportable diseases to their local health department.
- How do you report communicable diseases in Wake County?
- Report communicable diseases to Wake County Health & Human Services Communicable Disease Surveillance Team
Call: 919-250-4462
Fax: 919-212-9291-
Non-urgent reports. Non urgent reports can be made outside of normal business hours, on weekends or holidays by leaving a message on the Communicable Disease Line, 919-250-4462. Please provide a contact name and number for the CD Nurse to call you back the following business day. This number is checked during weekends and holidays at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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Urgent reports. Should you need to alert us of an immediate Public Health threat, specifically as it relates to suspicion or confirmation of the conditions or events noted below, the Emergency CD Line 919-404-7575 will be answered immediately or will return your call within 15 minutes:
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Novel and/or highly infectious diseases (measles, mumps, Ebola, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome)
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Biologic toxins, hazardous chemicals or mass casualties
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- Report communicable diseases to Wake County Health & Human Services Communicable Disease Surveillance Team
Confidential Communicable Disease Report Form - Part 1 (fillable form and instructions)
North Carolina Communicable Disease Report Forms
NC Communicable Disease Manual. North Carolina Reportable Diseases and Conditions, Reporting Forms, Case Definitions and more.
Resources by Topic
Animal Bites/Human Rabies Exposure Resources
- Rabies Resources for the Medical Professional
- Wake County Animal and Rabies Control Ordinances
- Educational Materials
- Stop Rabies (English)
- Stop Rabies (Spanish)
- Be Safe Around Dogs ( A coloring book for children and parents; English and Spanish)
COVID-19
HIV/AIDS/STDs
STD Assessment, Prevention and Treatment Protocols – NC DHHS
HIV and STD Community Program – Wake County Health & Human Services
HIV Clinic – Wake County Health & Human Services
STD and HIV Testing
Wake County Health & Human Services
HIV/AIDS/STD Program contact information:
Call: 919-250-4717
Fax: 919-212-7400
Immunizations
Immunizations and Foreign Travel
Call: 919-250-3900
Immunization Outreach & NC Immunization Registry
Call: 919-250-4518
Influenza
Influenza information, surveillance data, information for health care providers (NC DHHS)
Social media resources:
What to do about the flu social posts (English)
What to do about the flu social posts (en español)
Monkeypox
Norovirus
Opioid/Drug Overdose
- Opioid Crisis (NCDHHS)
- Wake County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition (WCHHS)
Refugee Health
Call: 919-250-3894
Syphilis
Tickborne Illness
Tuberculosis
- Frequently Asked Questions about TB Skin Testing and Reporting (WCHHS)
- TB Skin Testing Guidelines (NC TB Policy Manual)
- NC TB Statistics (NC DHHS)
- CDC TB Statistics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Educational Materials for Patients (NC DHHS)
- Educational Materials for Patients (WCHHS)
- Wake County Tuberculosis Control team contact information: Call: 919-250-1228 or 919-212-9508
Zika Virus
- Arboviruses: Information for Health Care Providers (NC DPH)
- Zika Virus (NCDPH)
- Zika Virus Fact Sheet (WCHHS) - English
- Zika Virus Fact Sheet (WCHHS) - en Español