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September 20, 2023
A patient with confirmed measles has been reported in an unvaccinated adult resident of southwest Idaho who was exposed during recent international travel. Read full HAN
July 24, 2023
Concurrent with elevated rates in syphilis infections in parts of Idaho, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has listed Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products (Bicillin L-A®) on their drug shortage webpage, noting limited supply due to increase demand. Penicillin G procaine has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Read full HAN
July 11, 2023
Wildfires produce high volumes of smoke each year, leading to unhealthy air quality levels, sometimes hundreds of miles away from the fire. Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings, and other material. Patients who are very near the fire source can have smoke inhalation injury, which is caused by thermal (superheated gases), chemical (e.g., particulate matter and other irritants), and toxic (e.g., carbon monoxide, cyanide) effects of the products of combustion. Read full HAN
May 17, 2023
Due to a new cluster of mpox cases in the Chicago area, clinicians across the country including Idaho are advised to continue mpox vaccination efforts, register their organization in the monkeypox vaccine locator, and consider mpox when determining the cause of a diffuse or localized rash. Read full HAN
March 2, 2023
Rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise across the Treasure Valley and beyond. Read full HAN
February 10, 2023
A multi-state outbreak involving infections with a carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA) has identified artificial tears as a common exposure. Read full HAN
December 16, 2022
Seasonal influenza activity is high across the United States and currently very high in Idaho. Read full HAN
November 28, 2022
Central District Health (CDH) has confirmed that exposure to TB may have occurred at Centennial High School in Boise between May and October 2022. There is no ongoing risk and people are safe to attend school and school events as usual. Read full HAN
November 21, 2022
On October 22, 2022 RSV season onset was declared in Idaho and activity continues increasing rapidly. Pediatric hospital inpatient bed capacity is limited and could continue to be strained throughout the respiratory disease season. The United States is currently experiencing high levels of respiratory virus activity, especially among children, across multiple jurisdictions. Read full HAN
October 7, 2022
On September 20, 2022, the Ministry of Health of Uganda officially declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) due to Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus) in Mubende District, Central Uganda.
Read full HAN
Updated Guidance for Clinicians on Recognizing Monkeypox
August 26, 2022
As of August 25, 2022, ten cases of monkeypox have been reported in Idaho and community transmission has been identified. Idaho case counts can be found at Department of Health and Welfare.
Please see below for updated recommendations and resources.
Read full HAN
June 17, 2022
Clinicians should be aware that in the current monkeypox outbreak in the U.S, clinical cases may not be recognized and tested because of uncharacteristic features compared to historical outbreaks and cases. No cases have been identified to date in Idaho. Read full HAN
May 24, 2022
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a case of monkeypox in the United States infected with a West African strain of the virus...Idaho public health officials are asking clinicians to be vigilant to the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox. Read full HAN
April 22, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Idaho public health agencies are issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection in Alabama; no cases have been reported in Idaho to date. Read full HAN
April 8, 2022
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) were recently identified for the first time in Idaho. The mushroom was found in Boise but may be present and undetected in other areas. The mushroom may be confused with edible mushrooms. Read full HAN
April 1, 2022
Updates include: Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) is expected to be effective against Omicron, including the BA.2 subvariant; Sotrovimab is no longer authorized for use in Idaho; Oral antivirals are available throughout Idaho. Read full HAN
March 21, 2022
Central District Health continues to respond to a rise in syphilis infections in our communities. In the past six months, between Public Health Districts 3 and 4, more than 60 early syphilis infections (primary, secondary, and early latent) have been identified. This represents a significant increase compared to 32 infections during the same timeframe two years ago. Read full HAN
January 6, 2022
This message is to alert Idaho medical providers about the availability of oral antiviral medications to treat COVID-19. Two oral antiviral medications are now available. In late December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorizations for two oral antivirals for the treatment of COVID-19. These two antivirals are Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, co-packaged) and Merck’s molnupiravir.
Read Full HAN
December 23, 2021
There has been a rapidly changing situation with the arrival of the Omicron variant into Idaho, new information about lack of effectiveness of some currently utilized therapeutics against the Omicron variant, and the availability of new therapeutics. The local public health districts and Idaho Division of Public Health are coordinating with federal partners to ensure Idaho patients will have access to newly available therapeutics as they become available.
Read Full HAN
December 15, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is anticipating an increase in influenza illness this winter, and both influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses are cocirculating in some parts of the country. While influenza activity is still low in Idaho and overall nationally, a recent increase of influenza A(H3N2) viruses has been detected primarily in young adults in outbreaks at colleges and universities in several states. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate in the United States, illnesses associated with both viruses might stress healthcare systems.
Read Full HAN
October 8, 2021
Treatment with monoclonal antibody therapies continues to be recommended for certain patients with COVID-19 who are at high-risk of progression to severe disease. Monoclonal antibodies that target the spike protein have been shown to have a clinical benefit in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Three anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody products currently have Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease and/or hospitalization.
Read Full HAN
September 17, 2021
Healthcare providers who have cared or are caring for patients younger than 21 years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should report suspected cases to Central District Health (Phone: 208-327-8625 or FAX: 208-327-7100) or to the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention Epidemiology Section (208-334-5939).
Read Full HAN
August 30, 2021
Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. FDA has cautioned about the potential risks of use for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Ivermectin-related calls to poison control centers across the U.S. have increased five-fold from pre-pandemic baseline. Our regional poison center is experiencing a small but increasing trend of ivermectin-related calls from Idaho.
Read Full HAN
August 19, 2021
Healthcare providers should be aware that on July 30, 2021, the FDA revised the emergency use authorization (EUA) for casirivimab/imdevimab (REGEN-COV) to include authorization for post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. REGEN-COV also remains authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Read Full HAN
August 2, 2021
COVID-19 cases in Idaho have increased 70% since July 1, 2021. In Central District Health’s (CDH) counties, COVID-19 cases increased over 158% from June to July 2021. Nationally, cases have increased over 300% from June 19 to July 23, 2021. Increases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are driven by the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant combined with relatively low vaccination rates.
Read Full HAN
July 7, 2021
Treatment with monoclonal antibody therapies continues to be recommended for certain patients with COVID-19 who are at high-risk of progression to severe disease. However, there are some recent changes of which healthcare providers should be aware.
Read Full HAN
May 25, 2021
Myocarditis with or without pericarditis has been reported in three Idaho patients after they had recently received COVID-19 vaccine. All three patients received the second dose of Pfizer vaccine 2-10 days before being evaluated at a hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state public health agencies are also aware of reports of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination; the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Vaccine Safety Technical Work Group has recently reported a statement on the issue, at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/work-groups-vast/technical-report-2021-05-17.html. Consider a diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis in any evaluation of chest pain following COVID-19 vaccination.
Read Full HAN
April 15, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reviewing data involving six U.S. cases of a rare type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine that were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
Read Full HAN
April 6, 2021
Several recent changes have occurred regarding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of certain high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.
Read Full HAN
January 19, 2021
On December 17, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated treatment guidelines for uncomplicated gonorrhea and now recommend a single 500 mg intramuscular (IM) dose of ceftriaxone. Dual therapy is no longer recommended. Treatment for coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis with oral doxycycline, 100 mg twice a day for 7 days should be administered when chlamydial infection has not been excluded.
Read Full HAN
January 19, 2021
Idaho healthcare providers should be aware that monoclonal antibodies, which may be helpful in preventing hospitalization among high-risk patients with COVID-19, are available in the state. The drugs have received FDA emergency use authorization.
Read Full HAN
December 15, 2020
Idaho has received the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines! All Idaho providers can access vaccine information and education specific to Idaho’s vaccination program on the Idaho Coronavirus webpage and the Department of Health and Welfare website. We encourage providers to check these resources often as information is being released frequently.
Read Full HAN
July 29, 2020
Based on the best information available as of mid-July 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated recommendations for discontinuation of isolation or precautions for people who have a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Key changes include: shortening of the time after resolution of fever before discontinuation of isolation or precautions; removal of recommendations for a test-based strategy except for certain circumstances; and recommendation to not retest individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic during the 3 months following symptom onset.
Read Full HAN
June 25, 2020
Central District Health (CDH) staff are happy to answer your COVID-19 related questions. Additionally, would like to share information related to some of the more common questions we receive.
Read Full HAN
May 18, 2020
In early May 2020, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene received reports of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). From April 16 through May 4, 2020, 15 patients aged 2-15 years were hospitalized, many requiring admission to the intensive care unit.
Read Full HAN
May 7, 2020
On May 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the recommended duration of isolation for individuals (including healthcare personnel) with COVID-19 when a symptom-based strategy is used.
Read Full HAN
March 17, 2020
Positive COVID-19 results have been reported for 3 Health District 4 residents and 7 people statewide. At this time, there is not indication of community spread in Idaho.
Read Full HAN
March 12, 2020
Criteria to guide testing of patients of COVID-19 have been expanded to a wider group of symptomatic patients. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html.
Read Full HAN
March 6, 2020
Criteria to guide testing of patients for COVID-19 have been expanded to a wider group of symptomatic patients. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html.
Healthcare providers should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested.
Read Full HAN
March 3, 2020
In the United States, presumptive or confirmed COVID-19 cases likely from community spread have been reported from Washington state, Oregon, and California. The World Health Organization raised the global risk assessment to very high.
Healthcare providers should continue to consider COVID-19 in patients with severe respiratory illness and encourage all patients presenting with respiratory illness to take steps to minimize the potential for disease transmission in the community. Read Full HAN
February 20, 2020
Hepatitis A continues to be of concern in our region with 3 new case reports in recent weeks, including one being in a food worker. In 2019, 47 residents of our health district were confirmed to have hepatitis A. Providers should continue to test patients with clinically compatible signs and symptoms and vaccinate susceptible adults and children. Read Full HAN
January 31, 2020
Health authorities in China, the United States, and other countries worldwide continue to investigate an outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), with nearly 8,000 confirmed infections reported to date, most of them in China. The first human-to-human transmission in the United States was announced this week, in a household contact of a person with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection who had traveled from Wuhan. Read Full HAN
January 22, 2020
Health authorities in China continue to investigate an outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infections associated with a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China which started in December 2019. There are now growing indications that limited person-to-person spread is happening, it is unclear how easily this virus is transmissible between humans. Read Full HAN
January 16, 2020
Rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to increase. Central District Health (CDH) received reports of 61 syphilis infections in 2019 with nearly 1 in 4 reported infections being in females. Full HAN Message
September 26, 2019
Central District Health (CDH) has confirmed that exposure to TB may have occurred at Capital High School in Boise between January and May 2019. There is no ongoing risk, and people are safe to attend school and school events as usual. Full HAN Message
August 27, 2019
As of August 27, 2019, public health officials in 25 states are investigating 215 reports of persons with severe respiratory illness associated with vaping or e-cigarette use, and additional reports of pulmonary illness are under investigation. Full HAN Message
August 15, 2019
Hepatitis A continues to be of concern in our region with the illness being diagnosed in 28 Ada and Elmore county residents, including multiple food handlers, and 46 people statewide. Providers should continue to test patients with clinically compatible signs and symptoms and vaccinate susceptible adults and children. Full HAN Message
June 6, 2019
A case of measles has been confirmed in a Latah County, Idaho resident. This is the first confirmed case in Idaho since 2001. In addition to the Idaho case, there are ongoing measles outbreaks in Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, California and Michigan. Full HAN Message
May 6, 2019
Hepatitis A continues to be of concern in our region with eight cases being diagnosed among Ada and Elmore county residents this year, and an additional seven throughout the state. Providers should continue to test patients with clinically compatible signs and symptoms and vaccinate susceptible adults and children. Full HAN Message
February 26, 2019
Since the first of the year, six hepatitis A cases have been reported among Ada and Elmore County residents. Typically, 1-2 cases are reported in an entire calendar year. All reported cases have been men between the ages of 30 and 60. Only one reported out-of-state travel during the most likely exposure period. No common risk factors for illness have been found. Full HAN Message
February 5, 2019
At this time, there are no reported cases of measles in Idaho; however, there are ongoing measles outbreaks in Washington, New York and Texas.
Health care providers should consider measles in patients presenting with a febrile rash illness and clinically compatible symptoms, especially if the patient recently travelled internationally or to areas in the United States experiencing a measles outbreak. Full HAN Message
October 29, 2018
As part of a voluntary water testing program, school officials recently detected elevated lead levels (>15 parts per billion (ppb)) in some drinking water samples at Fairmont Junior High. As Boise School District continues to test other schools, there may be additional public announcements about elevated water lead levels in fountains or faucets. Parents may have questions about the risk to their children’s health, or about the need for blood lead testing. As CDC case studies have demonstrated, exposure to a water source with elevated lead levels does not necessitate blood lead testing (CDC, 2004; 2010; 2012; 2016). Lead levels in Boise’s drinking water are not elevated so lead is typically from the fixture or plumbing components. Full HAN Message
June 12, 2018
Plague was confirmed this week in an Elmore County child. The child was in Idaho and Oregon during the incubation period. A source has not been identified and the investigation is ongoing. No ground squirrel die-offs have been detected this year in Ada or Elmore County or in Oregon. Full HAN Message
April 13, 2018
Central District Health (CDH) has identified six Shiga-Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC O157:H7) cases who are associated with a nation-wide cluster. Onset dates for CDH patients range from March 25 to March 30. Please continue to watch for new cases. Full HAN Message
November 20, 2017
During the last three months, 12 pertussis cases have been reported among Ada County residents. This is twice the number compared to the same time period last year. Many of the cases are in teenagers and young adults (i.e. 13-20 years old), however 25% of the cases are older than 40. Full HAN Message
March 20, 2017
Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) provides testing for emerging diseases when diagnostic testing is limited or nonexistent in the commercial sector. Zika virus testing was a recent example of this. Since commercial testing for Zika is now widely available in clinical reference laboratories, IBL is no longer accepting specimens for routine Zika testing. Specimens should be sent to the health care facility’s commercial laboratory. Full HAN Message
November 7, 2016
In 2014, the United States saw an unexpected increase in the number of reports of children experiencing neurologic illness with presentations similar to acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). The syndrome was named acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) to better distinguish it from other forms of AFP. Full HAN Message
August 23, 2016
Please consider Zika virus infection when evaluating symptomatic patients or pregnant women with recent travel to affected areas. Full HAN Message
August 2, 2016
Gonorrhea and syphilis rates remain high across the Treasure Valley. CDH urges providers to continue to assess risk, discuss risk reduction strategies, and test patients for STDs including gonorrhea and syphilis. Full HAN Message
May 27, 2016
Plague (Yersinia pestis) Likely to Confirm in Ground Squirrels Outside of Boise; Central District Health Asks Providers to be Alert for Cases through June. Full HAN Message
February 16, 2016
Syphilis continues to be a concern in our communities. In 2015 and 2016, 70 primary and secondary cases related to this latest outbreak were reported to CDH and Southwest District Health. Full HAN Message
January 20, 2016
Please consider Zika virus infection when evaluating patients presenting with clinically compatible symptoms after travel to affected areas, including Puerto Rico and multiple countries in the Americas south of the United States.
Full HAN Message
Click here for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Check out more information on Idaho's Health Alert Network website.
2015
10-20-15 Raw Milk, Enteric Advisory for Health Care Providers
08-26-15 Central District Health Recommends Providers Review Updated STD Treatment Guidelines
06-12-15 Salmonella Outbreak in Treasure Valley; Central District Health Asks Providers to Test Patients with Diarrheal Illness
05-22-15 Plague (Yersinia pestis) Confirmed in Ground Squirrels South of Boise; Central District Health Asks Providers to be Alert for Cases through June
01-14-15 Mumps Advisory for Health Care Providers
Make your health a priority and attend a free health screening event! Screenings consist of a single finger poke to run a full lipid panel (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and Blood Glucose) and an A1C test. Screenings take approximately 20 minutes and participants will leave with a copy of their results. Know your numbers – Get Screened! No appointment necessary, at the Mountain Home Library.