Category: Health Alert Network

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.

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.

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

Rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise across the Treasure Valley and beyond.

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.

Seasonal influenza activity is high across the United States and currently very high in Idaho.

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.

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.

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.

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.