This Special Edition of the Marin County Public Health Status Update for November 25, 2024, includes Pre-Holiday Food Recalls; Bird Flu Detected in Local Wastewater and Raw Milk; Clade-Mpox in the Bay Area; and Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance.
This is a special edition of the Marin County Public Health Status Update, which is released on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Special editions are released as emerging public health issues develop, ensuring timely and relevant information is shared with the community.
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Pre-Holiday Food Recalls
Marin County Public Health partners with Marin Environmental Health Services (EHS), a division of the Marin County Community Development Agency, to ensure food safety in Marin. Together we investigate food-borne illnesses and respond to outbreaks. EHS also contacts local groceries to confirm that recalled food is removed from the shelf. In recent weeks, two significant food recalls have raised concerns for public health:
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Organic Carrots: Certain brands of organic carrots have been linked to a serious E. coli outbreak, leading to illnesses and, unfortunately, fatalities.
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Chinese Sausage: A recall was issued for specific Chinese sausage products due to potential Listeria contamination. As of today, 11 illnesses have been reported, including 9 hospitalizations and 1 infant death.
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Raw Milk: Yesterday California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning to avoid consuming one batch of cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County due to a detection of bird flu virus in a retail sample. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and other bacteria have been connected to consuming raw dairy products. Pasteurization effectively kills bacteria and viruses, including bird flu. Marin County Public Health advises residents to avoid consuming raw milk products, particularly during active bird flu outbreaks in dairies across the country.
USDA, FDA, CDC, CDPH and CFDA coordinate responses to foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls. Visit CDC Foodborne Outbreak Notices and FDA Recalls to stay up to date. You can report a concern about food safety in a facility or a suspected food-borne illness by calling EHS at 415-473-6907.
Bird Flu Detected in Local Wastewater and Raw Milk
Marin County Public Health is closely monitoring the statewide H5N1 bird flu outbreak. Recent developments include virus detection in local wastewater, a presumptive positive case on a local poultry farm, and a confirmed case of bird flu in a child without animal exposure in Alameda County. Over 400 dairies statewide have now been impacted, with 29 human cases, primarily among dairy workers. This week CDPH is reporting that it has detected bird flu virus in raw milk. While the overall public risk remains low, individuals in close contact with infected animals are at a higher risk. Healthcare providers should contact Marin County Public Health for testing support at 415-473-4163, and dairies should report sick livestock at 1-866-922-2473.
Clade I Mpox in the Bay Area
Marin County Public Health is in close communication with San Mateo County Health officials and is actively monitoring the situation regarding the first known case of clade I mpox in the United States. There are currently no identified cases of clade I mpox in Marin County, and the risk of exposure for the public remains very low. This travel-related mpox case is a reminder of the importance of reviewing health risks and protective actions (including vaccines) before international travel. Visit CDC Travel Notices when planning your next trip. Learn more about mpox by visiting our updated website.
Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance
Find in-depth analysis of viral activity at Marin COVID-19 Surveillance and Marin Influenza and RSV Surveillance webpages. Marin County Public Health has aligned local reporting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory illnesses data monitoring and 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
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