Seasonal Influenza
National seasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) activity during the 2024-2025 winter respiratory virus season is at its highest level in at least 20 years. In Santa Clara County, influenza hospitalization rates are at their highest levels since 2021, when data collection began, and influenza deaths have exceeded COVID deaths for the first time ever. Recommendations for Healthcare Providers- Follow CDC clinical guidance for influenza testing and treatment
- Recommend seasonal influenza vaccination for all eligible patients
- Promote CDC recommendations for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses
H5N1 Bird Flu
There have been no H5N1 infections reported in residents of Santa Clara County or animals in the county since the current outbreak in dairy cows began in March 2024. Healthcare providers should be aware of the possibility of infection with H5N1 in symptomatic persons. H5N1 infection is most likely in people who have had exposure to animals confirmed or suspected to have H5N1, but may also occur in people exposed to raw meat, raw milk, or feces from infected animals. Recommendations for Healthcare Providers
Providers who suspect H5N1 infection should: - Isolate the patient: Implement standard, contact, and airborne precautions, and use eye protection.
- Report to Public Health
- Office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: (408) 885-4214
- After hours, page the on-call Health Officer: (408) 998-3438
- Initiate treatment: Empiric antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible for all patients with possible H5N1 infection.
- Collect specimens: Specimens should be collected in persons with recent exposure (within 10 days) to animals and/or materials suspected or confirmed to be infected with H5N1 AND signs and symptoms consistent with acute or lower respiratory tract infection and/or conjunctivitis and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. Multiple specimen types must be collected and vary depending on symptoms.
For more information, visit County of Santa Clara H5N1 bird flu information for clinicians. Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreaks in Uganda and Tanzania
There have been no suspected, probable, or confirmed viral hemorrhagic fever cases reported in the United States related to either of these outbreaks. On January 30, 2025, Uganda confirmed an Ebola disease outbreak in Kampala after a nurse died of Sudan virus (one of the viruses that causes Ebola disease) on January 29, 2025. CDC has issued a Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) Travel Health Notice for Uganda. On January 20, 2025, Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the country’s northwestern Kagera region after one patient tested positive for the virus. On February 3, 2025, a CDC official reported that they were aware of 2 confirmed cases and 8 probable cases associated with this outbreak, which is occurring in a more remote area compared to the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda. CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice (Practice Usual Precautions) for Tanzania. Recommendations for Healthcare Providers
All healthcare facilities should be prepared to identify and isolate patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fever infection, protect staff, notify Public Health, and coordinate with Public Health to transfer patient to a facility for further assessment and/or treatment as needed. This report summarizes CDC’s recommendations for clinicians in the United States on case identification, testing and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations, hospital infection prevention and control measures, and symptom monitoring for travelers returning from an area experiencing a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak. The report highlights Ebola disease in Uganda, but the recommendations apply to any viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak. To notify the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever exposure or infection, call: - Office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: (408) 885-4214
- After hours, page the on-call Health Officer: (408) 998-3438
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