Cowlitz County

Health Advisory: Evaluating and Reporting Suspected E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)

| December 2, 2019
smoke on black background

Requested actions Ask all patients if they recently used e-cigarette or vaping products and which substances they used. Ask patients who report using e-cigarette or vaping products about respiratory, gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms (e.g., cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever). Perform chest X-ray. Consider chest CT to evaluate … Health Advisory: Evaluating and Reporting Suspected E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)

2019-2020 Influenza Season Preparedness

| October 24, 2019

Surveillance updates Seasonal influenza surveillance begins in October and ends in April. It is important to stay up to date on local influenza activity. Vaccine Both influenza A components of this season’s vaccine are different from last season. Both B components are unchanged. CDC recommends influenza vaccine for everyone over age 6 months for whom … 2019-2020 Influenza Season Preparedness

Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness

| September 3, 2019
person using a vaping device

CDC Urges Clinicians to Report Cases of Unexplained Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Multiple cases of severe pulmonary disease in patients who use vape products have occurred in Wisconsin and Illinois. Requested actions Ask patients who present with respiratory or pulmonary illness if they vape THC or e-juice. Determine what kind of THC or e-juice they’ve vaped, … Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness

Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone

| August 30, 2019

On Aug. 28, 2019, Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy signed a statewide standing order for naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. The standing order works like a prescription and allows any Washington person or organization to get naloxone from a pharmacy. We want to remind our local pharmacies and healthcare … Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone

Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Washington

| August 14, 2019

Washington state is experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak in multiple counties in people who are living homeless or who use drugs. Requested actions Give hepatitis A vaccine to unvaccinated patients living homeless or using drugs. Suspect hepatitis A in patients with acute onset of jaundice, vomiting, anorexia and elevated liver function test results—especially those living … Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Washington

MMR Vaccine Exemption Law Change

| July 18, 2019

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine requirement for schools and child cares. The new law removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry. The law: Takes effect … MMR Vaccine Exemption Law Change

Expedited Partner Therapy

| June 27, 2019

There are temporary changes to Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) packs distribution. This is a result of the Washington State Department of Health undergoing an audit of its program. Please: Stop giving out EPT packs. Give the patient a prescription for their partner to fill at their pharmacy of choice. Advise that the partner will need … Expedited Partner Therapy

Marijuana Prevention

| May 31, 2019

We work to protect the health of youth. We work with community partners to prevent youth marijuana use. Marijuana use is illegal for people under the age of 21. Why is this work important? Marijuana use puts teens at higher risk for addiction. Youth who use marijuana are more likely to fail in school. Most … Marijuana Prevention

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines: Key Updates

| April 1, 2019
nurse typing on computer with stethoscope laying next to it on a notebook

Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infections of the Cervix, Urethra, Pharynx, and Rectum Recommended treatment regimen is dual therapy with Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose plus Azithromycin 1 gm p.o. in a single dose. Doxycycline is no longer recommended for use in conjunction with Ceftriaxone to treat gonorrhea. If Ceftriaxone is not available, … Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines: Key Updates

Caring for Infants Born to Hepatitis B-Infected Mothers

| November 11, 2018

Adapted from the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunize and Test On Time Age Single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B® or Recombivax HB®) Combination hepatitis B vaccine (Pediarix®) Birth1 (Within 12 hours) Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) AND Hepatitis B vaccine dose #1 Combination vaccine is not approved for the birth dose. See single-antigen guidance. 1– 2 Months2 Hepatitis … Caring for Infants Born to Hepatitis B-Infected Mothers