OPIC Monthly Newsletter

Issue 15 June 24, 2024

Greetings from Marin County Public Health (MCPH) Outbreak Prevention and Infection Control (OPIC). MCPH OPIC team supports healthcare and congregate care facilities mitigate and manage risks and prepare for emergencies. Our monthly newsletters include news, guidance, updates, trainings and educational opportunities for all levels of staff.

Changes to our Communications

Starting this month, we will be alternating our communication methods between newsletters and MCPH Updates for LTCFs Zoom meetings. Newsletters will be sent out every other month (August, October, and December 2024). MCPH Updates for LTCFs Zoom mtgs will take place in July, September, and November 2024.

GUIDANCE UPDATES AND NEWS

Heat & Summer Safety

CDPH Alignment with CDC Respiratory Guidance - updated 5/22/2024

COVID-19 Updates

News and Surveillance:
- Local wastewater surveillance has detected a rapid rise in SARS-CoV-2 levels in the first two weeks of June, signifying increased COVID-19 transmission in our community.
Tests and Variants:
- COVID-19 Test Order link - CDPH Professional Use Order Deadline 6/30/2024
- COVID-19 KP.2 also known as FLiRT Variant Driving Transmission has become dominant nationally
Vaccination Information:
- FDA News: COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated 2024 – 2025 Formula; FDA - COVID-19 Vaccine Fall 2024 Recommendation: Fall 2024 vaccine be updated to target the JN.1 variant or one of its descendants.
- HSAG - No Cost FREE Vaccination Clinics - Yes, even for Kaiser residents! Click on this link to fill out the callback request form. See email sent on 6/7/2024.
- HSAG COVID-19 Vaccine Up-to-Date Definition Flow Chart refer to the CDC’s Up to Date Guidance.

Influenza Updates

Influenza Circulating in Marin is Not H5N1
CDPH Health Update Influenza A Testing Guidance: Enhanced Surveillance During the Summer Months

H5N1 - Bird Flu CDPH Updates

MCPH: H5N1 (Bird Flu) | Marin Health and Human Services, Influenza Circulating in Marin is Not H5N1
CDC’s H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Update for LTCFs

CDPH is now aligned with CDC’s Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), see AFL 24-15. They will be retiring Enhanced Standard Precautions (ESP); however, you may continue to use the “6 Moments of ESP” PDF poster.

Maintain Measles Vigilance

Report suspected measles cases immediately, even before laboratory confirmation. Call MCPH 415.473.4163 or after-hours 415.479.5305
*New* CDPH Measles Prevention Communications Toolkit
Learn more about measles activity in California (CDPH).

Salmonella Prevention:

CDPH reports recent Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry

Marin County Updates:

Public Health Leadership Hand-Off: Starting in October 2024, Marin County Public Health will be under the leadership of Dr. Lisa Santora, as Dr. Matt Willis retires from County service.

All Facilities Letters (AFLs)

View all CDC's Health Alert Network (HAN) webpage and sign up to receive alerts
View all CDPH HAN (CAHAN) alerts page and sign up to receive alerts
View all AFLs at the All Facilities Letter webpage.
View CDSS PINs at the All COVID-19 ASC PINs by Topic webpage.

CAHAN

CAHAN Disease Notification – CDC HAN 510 : Disrupted Access to Prescription Stimulant Medications Could Increase Risk of Injury and Overdose

CDPH Health Advisory: Reports of Rare, Severe Dermatophyte Infections Associated with Sexual Contact in the United States

LOCAL SURVEILLANCE DATA DASHBOARDS

Marin County Public Health Data Dashboards show information on local public health priorities

MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT ORGANISM (MDRO) UPDATES AND RESOURCES

CDPH - Carbapenemase-producing Organisms (CPOs): Laboratory and Epidemiology Updates 5/14/2024 (slides), (recording); HAI home web page on CPOs

Awareness and Advocacy: Trailblazing Sepsis Awareness Month at Your Organization (RN CE credit hours), Thursday, July 18, 2024, 11 am – 12 pm PT, Click here to register.

Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Sepsis in Immunocompromised Patients, Thursday, August 1, 2024, 9:00 am PT, Free continuing nursing education credits will be available! Click here to register.

TRAININGS AND EDUCATION

CDPH HSAG IP Call Registration Link: Occurs every other month, the next call will be in August 2024,
QCHF Infection Prevention Conference 2024 - Aug. 13-14, 2024 | Sacramento
CDPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program - Train-the-Trainer Workshop Series for CEU credit, FREE
Sepsis Alliance 7/18/2024: Awareness and Advocacy: (RN CE credit hours)
APIC In-Person Courses August 19-22, 2024 | Boston, MA; Learn more and register today.
*FREE* On-site PPE Training and Infection Control Training for your staff by your OPIC team! We have bilingual educators! Book Online or email us to schedule LTCFReport@marincounty.gov
Project First Line (PFL): CDC's FREE training materials to provide education for your staff.

RESOURCES AND OTHER RELEVANT TOPICS

June is PRIDE month:

Immunizations Before Summer Travel

Next MCPH Monthly Zoom meeting:
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 2:00pm - 2:30pm

Next MCPH Monthly Newsletter: August 2024

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Marin County Public Health's Monthly Updates for LTCFs provide updates regarding guidance, local data and surveillance, and training opportunities. Please contact LTCFReport@marincounty.gov to be added to the meeting invitation.

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