This Special Edition of the Marin County Public Health Status Update, dated November 25, 2024, highlights critical developments affecting public health, including recent Pre-Holiday Food Recalls, the detection of Bird Flu in local wastewater and raw milk, the emergence of Clade-Mpox in the Bay Area, and ongoing Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance efforts aimed at safeguarding community health.
This particular release is part of the Marin County Public Health Status Update series, which is traditionally disseminated on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. However, this special edition addresses urgent public health concerns as they arise, thereby facilitating timely and pertinent information sharing within the community.
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Pre-Holiday Food Recalls
In a concerted effort to ensure that residents of Marin County remain safe from foodborne illnesses, Marin County Public Health collaborates closely with Marin Environmental Health Services (EHS), a key division of the Marin County Community Development Agency. Together, they investigate food-borne illnesses and respond definitively to outbreaks, ensuring effective communication with local grocery chains to swiftly remove any recalled products from shelves. Recently, serious concerns have emerged surrounding two significant food recalls:
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Organic Carrots: Certain brands of organic carrots have been implicated in a serious E. coli outbreak, which has unfortunately culminated in several illnesses and fatalities across various regions.
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Chinese Sausage: A recall affecting specific Chinese sausage products has been instituted amidst concerns of potential Listeria contamination. The situation has escalated, with reports indicating 11 illnesses, including 9 cases of hospitalization and a tragic infant fatality connected to this outbreak.
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Raw Milk: A critical warning has been issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advising against the consumption of a specific batch of cream top, whole raw milk produced by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County, following the alarming detection of bird flu virus in a retail sample. The consumption of raw dairy products has been previously linked to outbreaks of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and various other harmful bacteria. Pasteurization is a proven method to eliminate such threats, effectively killing bacteria and viruses, including the bird flu virus. Marin County Public Health strongly urges residents to refrain from consuming raw milk products during this heightened period of bird flu activity across dairies in the nation.
The USDA, FDA, CDC, CDPH, and CFDA are closely coordinating to respond effectively to foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls. For ongoing updates, visit CDC Foodborne Outbreak Notices and FDA Recalls. Any concerns regarding food safety or suspected foodborne illnesses should be promptly reported to EHS at 415-473-6907.
Bird Flu Detected in Local Wastewater and Raw Milk
Marin County Public Health is actively monitoring the ongoing statewide H5N1 bird flu outbreak. Recent findings indicate the alarming presence of the virus in local wastewater, alongside a presumptive positive case discovered on a local poultry farm. Additionally, a confirmed case of bird flu has been identified in a child in Alameda County, who had no reported contact with livestock. As of now, over 400 dairies statewide have been adversely affected, leading to 29 human cases, predominantly among dairy workers. This week, the CDPH has reported the detection of the bird flu virus in raw milk, further complicating the public health landscape. While the overall risk to the general public remains low, those in close proximity to infected animals are at a heightened risk. Healthcare providers are encouraged to contact Marin County Public Health for testing support at 415-473-4163. Additionally, dairy operators should promptly report instances of sick livestock by calling 1-866-922-2473.
Clade I Mpox in the Bay Area
Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance
For comprehensive insights into viral activity, refer to the Marin COVID-19 Surveillance and Marin Influenza and RSV Surveillance webpages. Marin County Public Health is maintaining alignment with local reporting protocols as set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding respiratory illnesses data monitoring and the CDPH Weekly Respiratory Report.
Resource Link Library
How to protect yourself
CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
What to do if
You’ve tested Positive, or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19
Online Resources
Vaccine Locations | Vaccine Information | Free COVID-19 Testing | Marin COVID-19 Data | State COVID-19 Data | State Variant Data | CDC Community Transmission Data
Stay Informed
What measures are being implemented to monitor and control respiratory virus activity such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV in the community?
Ls and is vigilant in monitoring respiratory virus activity within the community. This includes ongoing assessments for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to help determine public health interventions and provide timely information to residents.
Collaborative efforts across local health departments aim to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about ongoing health issues, follow public health guidelines, and report any cases of illness that may align with symptoms of foodborne illnesses or respiratory infections.
For further questions, residents can reach out to Marin County Public Health at 415-473-6800 or visit [Marin Health and Human Services](https://www.marinhhs.org) for more resources and current health advisories. Regular updates are also shared via the Marin County Public Health’s social media channels to keep the community informed of the latest developments and health safety measures.
