In This Section:

The Health Department sends health alerts to community members, visitors and health care providers so they can stay up to date about health concerns in our area. Alerts can include information about an infectious disease outbreak, a natural disaster, an environmental contamination or other situation which threatens public health.

We work with the Centers for Disease Control, local health care providers, state agencies and other partners to quickly learn about health threats. We share information so that people will know how to keep themselves and their families healthy and safe.

When we need to share information about a health situation, the Health Department uses social media and works with news outlets and community and state partners.

Learn about the VT Health Alert Network
 

Health Alerts & Advisories

2023

DATE TITLE SUBJECT
08/31/2023 Elevated Risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Other Arboviruses in Vermont Arboviruses
08/22/2023 Appropriate Use of Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (rPEP) in Vermont Rabies
08/18/2023 RSV Vaccine Approved for Adults Aged 60 Years and Older Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
07/13/2023 Update on Mpox Virus mpox

2022

DATE TITLE SUBJECT
12/22/2022 Prioritizing Influenza Testing and Treatment Influenza
12/08/2022 Update on COVID-19 Therapeutics  COVID-19
11/29/2022 Blood Lead Collection Tube Guidance Blood Lead Collection
11/21/2022 Ebola Outbreak in Uganda: Guidance for Vermont Preparedness Ebola
11/21/2022 Increased Respiratory Viral Activity, Especially Among Children, Straining Vermont Health Care Systems Respiratory Viruses
11/16/2022 November 2022 Update to Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care and Other Congregate Care Facilities COVID-19
11/07/2022 Outbreaks of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections Highlight Importance of Maintaining and Monitoring Dental Waterlines Dental Waterlines
09/12/2022 Legionnaires' Disease Cluster in Northwest Vermont Legionnaires' Disease
09/01/2022 Update on mpox (Human Monkeypox Virus) mpox
07/05/2022 June 2022 Update to Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care and other Congregate Care Facilities COVID-19
06/27/2022 Updated Blood Lead Testing Guidelines Lead
06/16/2022 DNR/COLST Forms Update DNR/COLST
05/27/2022 Pediatric Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology Hepatitis
05/26/2022 Mpox (Human Monkeypox Virus) mpox
05/13/2022 Increasing Paxlovid Prescribing COVID-19
05/11/2022 Iodinated Contrast Media Shortage Contrast Media
03/03/2022 Updated guidance for administering COVID-19 therapies, Evusheld and Sotrovimab  COVID-19
02/24/2022 Consider COVID-19 Therapeutics for Eligible Patients COVID-19
02/23/2022 Recall of Infant Formula Product Recall
02/10/2022 Changes to Lyme Disease Reporting for Surveillance Purposes Lyme Disease
02/03/2022 Prioritize the Most Vulnerable Patients for Outpatient COVID-19 Therapies COVID-19
01/26/2022 TCE Contamination at the Vermont Farmers Food Center; 251 West St, Rutland, Vermont TCE

2021

DATE TITLE SUBJECT
12/30/2021 Update on COVID-19 Therapeutics Novel Coronavirus
11/12/2021 Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Children Aged 5-11 Years Novel Coronavirus
11/08/2021 Updated Information Regarding COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies Novel Coronavirus
10/15/2021 Coadministration of COVID-19 Vaccine and Flu Vaccine Novel Coronavirus
10/08/2021 Further Update Regarding Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities Novel Coronavirus
09/24/2021 Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2: Clinical Overview of Deaths Between July 1, 2021 – September 9, 2021 Novel Coronavirus
09/20/2021 Update on Prioritization of STI Testing STI Testing
09/03/2021 Expanded Recall of LeadCare® II Testing Supply Kits Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results Lead
08/27/2021 Eligibility of Persons Immunized with a Non-FDA-Approved COVID-19 Vaccine to Receive a Primary Series of an FDA-Approved mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Novel Coronavirus
08/26/2021 FDA Authorization of a Third Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Administration for Certain Immunocompromised Persons Novel Coronavirus
08/09/2021 SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Novel Coronavirus
07/29/2021 Tickborne Diseases: Updates and Resources Tickborne Diseases
05/25/2021 Update of Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing in Long-term Care Facilities Novel Coronavirus
05/19/2021 Interim Recommendation for Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 in Adolescents Aged 12-15 Years Novel Coronavirus
04/30/2021 Updated Recommendations for the Use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine Novel Coronavirus
04/13/2021 Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Novel Coronavirus
04/05/2021 Congenital Syphilis in Vermont Syphilis
04/05/2021 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
03/24/2021 Recommendations for the Use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (See updated HAN April 30, 2021) Novel Coronavirus
03/23/2021 COVID-19 Vaccination for People with Prior or Current SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Who Received Certain COVID-19 Treatments Novel Coronavirus
03/22/2021 COVID-19 Testing Recommendation Update for Long-term Care Facilities (See updated HAN May 25, 2021) Novel Coronavirus
03/18/2021 Reactogenicity, Contraindications, and Precautions: mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Novel Coronavirus
03/09/2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 5: Vermonters with High-Risk Conditions Novel Coronavirus
03/08/2021 Update to Guidance on N95 Respirator Sterilization in Your Region Novel Coronavirus
03/03/2021 SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of COVID-19 (See updated HAN on April 5, 2021) Novel Coronavirus
02/08/2021 Updated (2020) Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infections Gonococcal Infections
01/05/2021 Guidance on N95 Respirator Sterilization in Your Region Novel Coronavirus

2020

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
12/31/2020 Guidance on Prioritization of Vaccination in Phase 1A and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations Novel Coronavirus
12/24/2020 General Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Novel Coronavirus
12/24/2020 Initial Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations - Updated Novel Coronavirus
12/23/2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidelines for Death Certification and Disposition of Remains for Health Care Providers/Facilities - Updated Novel Coronavirus
12/18/2020 Initial Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations (superseded by HAN dated 12/24/2020) Novel Coronavirus
12/18/2020 Requirements to Facilitate the transfer of Deceased Patients from Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care Facilities and Hospice Facilities Novel Coronavirus
12/15/2020 Update Regarding Use of Pulse Oximeters to Monitor Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Among Individuals with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection Novel Coronavirus
12/07/2020 COVID-19 Testing Recommendations for Long-term Care Facilities Novel Coronavirus
12/03/2020 Updated Guidance Regarding Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Novel Coronavirus
11/02/2020 Prioritizing STI Testing While Test Kits and Laboratory Supplies Are in Short Supply STI Testing
10/31/2020 Increased and Imminent Cybercrime Threat Cybercrime
10/12/2020 PCB contamination at the Burlington High School and Technical Center Campus PCBs
10/01/2020 Respiratory Virus Infections During the 2020-2021 Influenza Season Influenza, RSV, and Novel Coronavirus
10/01/2020 Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing in Vermont Novel Coronavirus
09/22/2020 PCB contamination at the Burlington High School and Technical Center Campus (superseded by HAN dated 10/12/2020) PCBs
09/02/2020 Types of SARS-CoV-2 Tests Novel Coronavirus
08/31/2020 Possible Association of Neurological Conditions with COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
08/26/2020 Health Department Now Defines Any Level of Lead in the Body as Elevated Lead
08/14/2020 Updated Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-Related Quarantine Recommendations for Congregate Care Staff and Residents Novel Coronavirus
08/12/2020 Updated COVID-19 Testing Guidance and Collection Kit Ordering Information Novel Coronavirus
08/05/2020 Pre-operative/Pre-procedure COVID-19 Testing Guidance Novel Coronavirus
07/27/2020 Appropriate Use of Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (rPEP) in Vermont  Rabies
07/24/2020 Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
06/26/2020 COVID-19 Patients with Persistent or Recurrent Positive PCR Tests Novel Coronavirus
06/15/2020 Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19): Guidance on Ordering Testing for Patients Prior to Discharge from Emergency Departments to Inpatient Psychiatric Care Settings Novel Coronavirus
06/03/2020 Updated Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-Related Recommendations on Quarantine Novel Coronavirus
06/02/2020 COVID-19 Diagnostic Anterior Nares Testing: Prioritization and Specimen Collection Novel Coronavirus
06/01/2020 Use of Pulse Oximeters to Monitor Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Among Individuals with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection Novel Coronavirus
05/28/2020 Remdesivir Allocation to Vermont Hospitals Novel Coronavirus
05/27/2020 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated  with Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Novel Coronavirus
05/26/2020 Guidance on N95 Respirator Sterilization in Your Region (superseded by HAN dated 1/5/2021) Novel Coronavirus
05/21/2020 Pharmacist Ordering and Administration of Testing for COVID-19 in Vermont Novel Coronavirus
05/18/2020 Overview of Pediatric Cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Vermont: March 27-May 10, 2020 Novel Coronavirus
05/13/2020 Clinical Overview of Deaths Among Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2: April 15-30, 2020 Novel Coronavirus
05/13/2020 Overview of Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2 (April 18-30, 2020) Novel Coronavirus
05/08/2020 New Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-Related Recommendations Novel Coronavirus
05/06/2020 Vermont Health Care Providers, Facilities and Emergency Medical Service Providers Asked to Complete Personal Protective Equipment Needs Survey Novel Coronavirus
05/05/2020 Widespread Testing of All Mildly Symptomatic Patients Needed Novel Coronavirus
04/27/2020 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Dental Health Care Referral Network for Emergency Dental Procedures Novel Coronavirus
04/24/2020 COVID-19: Overview of Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2, April 4-17, 2020 Novel Coronavirus
04/24/2020 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): New Sector-Specific PPE Use Guidance Available Novel Coronavirus
04/24/2020 Additional Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities, Correctional Facilities, and Other Congregate Settings Novel Coronavirus
04/21/2020 Clinical Overview of Deaths Among Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2 Through April 14, 2020 Novel Coronavirus
04/21/2020 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Guidance for Testing in Pediatric Populations Novel Coronavirus
04/16/2020 Updated Guidelines for Death Certification and Disposition of Remains for Health Care Providers/Facilities (superseded by HAN dated 12/23/2020) Novel Coronavirus
04/10/2020 Overview of Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2: March 21-April 3,2020 Novel Coronavirus
04/10/2020 Hospital Discharge for COVID-19 Patients Novel Coronavirus
04/08/2020 Guidelines on Requesting and Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Novel Coronavirus
04/03/2020 Practice Advisory from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Pregnant and Postpartum Women with COVID-19 Infection Novel Coronavirus
04/03/2020 New Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics Regarding Infants Born to Mothers with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
04/03/2020 Criteria for Health Care Workers with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 to Return to Work Novel Coronavirus
04/02/2020 Overview of Vermont Residents Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2 through March 20, 2020 Novel Coronavirus
03/31/2020 Vermont Health Care Professionals Asked to be OnCall for Vermont to Support COVID-19 Medical Efforts Novel Coronavirus
03/28/2020 Update on COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing for Southern Vermont Novel Coronavirus
03/27/2020 Update on COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing in Vermont Novel Coronavirus
03/25/2020 COVID-19: Additional Information Regarding Laboratory Testing Novel Coronavirus
03/23/2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Recommendations to Facilitate the
Transfer of Deceased Patients from Nursing Homes, Long Term Care Facilities and Hospice Facilities		 Novel Coronavirus
03/23/2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Dental Health Care Novel Coronavirus
03/20/2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Laboratory Testing Process Update Novel Coronavirus
03/20/2020 Novel Coronavirus
03/19/2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Dental Health Care Guidance Novel Coronavirus
03/14/2020 Temporary Enforcement Guidance Regarding Annual Fit Testing Requirement Novel Coronavirus
03/14/2020 COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing in Vermont Novel Coronavirus
03/13/2020 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Conservation Measures Contingency Operations Novel Coronavirus
03/10/2020 Guidelines for Death Certification and Disposition of Remains (COVID-19) Novel Coronavirus
03/06/2020 Vermont Department of Health Laboratory Testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Novel Coronavirus
03/05/2020 Preparing for Community Transmission of COVID-19 in Vermont Novel Coronavirus
03/04/2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Novel Coronavirus
02/14/2020 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Provider Webinar Novel Coronavirus
02/11/2020 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Provider Update Novel Coronavirus
01/23/2020 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Novel Coronavirus
01/15/2020 Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

2019

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
12/03/2019 E-cigarette or Vaping-associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Update Severe Vaping Pulmonary Illness
10/18/2019 E-cigarette or Vaping-associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Update Severe Vaping Pulmonary Illness
10/16/2019 Hepatitis A Vaccine - Local Health Offices Hepatitis A
09/16/2019 First Case of Severe Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Confirmed Severe Vaping Pulmonary Illness
08/29/2019 Severe Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Severe Vaping Pulmonary Illness
07/30/2019 Hepatitis A - Vaccinate for Outbreak Prevention Hepatitis A
06/21/2019 Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Lead
05/06/2019 Preparing for Measles - Update for Vermont Health Care Providers Measles
02/08/2019 U.S. Measles Outbreaks - Information for Vermont Clinicians, updated 4/23/19 Measles
04/05/2019 VT Reportable and Communicable Diseases Rule Changes Reportable Diseases

2018

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
12/04/2018 National Increase in Reports of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Acute Flaccid Myelitis
11/06/2018 Shigellosis Update and Treatment Guidelines Shigellosis
10/23/2018 Shigellosis Advisory Shigellosis
09/06/2018 New Hampshire Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Legionnaire's Disease
08/08/2018 Oral Rabies Vaccine Field Project, Bait Drop Fact Sheet Rabies Vaccine
06/29/2018 Hot Weather Health Advisory Summer Heat
01/9/2018 Elevated Lead Levels in School Drinking Water Lead
01/25/2018 Mumps Advisory Mumps
02/16/2018 Mumps Advisory Update Mumps
06/01/2018 Cluster of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in a Long-Term Care Facility Group A Streptococcus
08/06/2018 Lyme Carditis and Sudden Cardiac Death Lyme Carditis

2017

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
04/12/2017 PCE and TCE Contamination of State Office Building in St. Johnsbury PCE & TCE
01/24/2017 PFOA Information & Testing Resources PFOA
01/24/2017 PFAS Clinician Fact Sheet & Guidance (ATSDR) PFOA
06/09/2017 Mumps Advisory Mumps
10/30/2017 Vaccine Storage Advisory Vaccine
11/17/2017 Leptospirosis in Puppies Leptospirosis
11/29/2017 Possible Ricin Exposure Ricin
12/29/2017 Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) Activity & Antiviral Treatment of Patients Influenza

2016

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
11/09/2016 Pertussis Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity Pertussis 
09/23/2016 Chickenpox Advisory: Managing Varicella  Chickenpox/Varicella 
09/01/2016 Zika Travel Warning for Pregnant Women: Posters Available  Zika 
07/26/2016 PFOA Blood Test Results PFOA 
04/11/2016 PFOA Blood Testing in Bennington and North Bennington PFOA
03/03/2016 PFOA Contamination Update PFOA 
02/26/2016 Zika Virus, Travel & College Students  Zika
02/19/2016 Hepatitis A in Caledonia County  Hepatitis 
02/11/2016 Zika Virus: Update #1 Zika 
02/04/2016 Ebola Update for Health Care Providers  Ebola 
01/29/2016 Interim Recommendations for Zika Virus  Zika 

2015

DATE

 TITLE SUBJECT 
12/16/2015 Pertussis Advisory: Managing Pertussis Pertussis
10/20/2015 Health Department Resources for STD Screening and Treatment STDs
09/22/2015 Cluster of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. Coli (STEC) Infections E. Coli
03/27/2015 Tuberculosis Guidance  Tuberculosis
02/18/2015 Measles Advisory Measles 
02/18/2015 Measles Outbreak Awareness Measles 
02/13/2015 Tuberculosis Guidance Tuberculosis
01/16/2015 Treating Influenza Patients with Antiviral Medications Influenza
Topics:
Emergency Response
Last Updated: September 1, 2023