Stephanie Badillo-Sanchez

Health Advisory: Pertussis Cases Continue to Increase in Washington State

11/07/2024 This is a Provider Alert from the Yakima Health District regarding an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. Healthcare providers should: This is an update to the Provider Alert sent in May 2024. Current Pertussis Situation in Washington There has been a total of 1,099 confirmed and probable cases of pertussis reported statewide during Health Advisory: Pertussis Cases Continue to Increase in Washington State

Health Advisory: CDC Confirms Nine Human Cases of Avian Influenza in Washington State

11/01/24 Clinicians in Washington should consider avian influenza infection in patients who present with acute respiratory illness, isolated conjunctivitis, or influenza-like illness (ILI), and to assess patients for exposures to animals (poultry, cattle, wildlife, or other animals) or people suspected or known to be infected with avian influenza. Current Situation  The Centers for Disease Control Health Advisory: CDC Confirms Nine Human Cases of Avian Influenza in Washington State

Health Officer Order for Reporting Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza

A doctors jacket with a stethoscope.

DATE: September 26, 2024 TO: Health care providers, health care facilities, medical examiners, and coroner’s office FROM: Neil Barg, MD, Health Officer RE: Health Officer Order for Reporting Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza Pursuant to WAC 246-101-505 Effective Date: October 1, 2024 Authority Under the authority granted to the Local Health Officer pursuant to Health Officer Order for Reporting Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza

Pacific Power’s Medical Certificate Program For Qualifying Customers to Receive Extra Notifications During Public Safety Power Shutoff Events

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06/25/2024 Pacific Power’s Medical Certificate Program To help Washington customers prepare for emergencies and potential power outages, Pacific Power’s Medical Certificate Program ensures that qualifying customers will receive extra notifications whenever possible during Public Safety Power Shutoff events for those that have a medical condition that requires use of electrically powered medical equipment in the Pacific Power’s Medical Certificate Program For Qualifying Customers to Receive Extra Notifications During Public Safety Power Shutoff Events

Health Advisory: Pertussis Increase in Washington State

Current Situation in Washington There have been a total of 170 confirmed and probable cases reported statewide during 2024 through 5/4/2024 (CDC Week 18), compared to 24 cases reported by CDC Week 18 in 2023, an increase of 6-fold. Multiple jurisdictions have reported increases. Current information about pertussis in Washington can be found in the Health Advisory: Pertussis Increase in Washington State

Health Advisory: Evaluating and Managing Patients Exposed to Birds and Other Animals (Cattle) Infected with Avian Influenza A Viruses of Public Health Concern

Requested Actions Background Avian influenza A viruses circulate among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species to cause disease referred to as avian influenza. Some avian influenza A viruses have caused rare, sporadic infections in people, resulting in human illness ranging from mild to severe respiratory disease. People who are Health Advisory: Evaluating and Managing Patients Exposed to Birds and Other Animals (Cattle) Infected with Avian Influenza A Viruses of Public Health Concern

Health Advisory: New Washington State Department of Health Guidance for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses Does Not Apply to Healthcare Settings

A doctors jacket with a stethoscope.

03/20/2024 Requested Actions Background The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced updated guidance for what to do when someone is sick with COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses. The new guidance recommends people return to normal activities when their symptoms are getting better overall and they have not had a fever (without having to Health Advisory: New Washington State Department of Health Guidance for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses Does Not Apply to Healthcare Settings

Health Advisory: Tuberculosis Testing For People Who Were Previously Incarcerated

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11/30/2023 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), and local health jurisdictions continue to work to address a large tuberculosis (TB) outbreak within the state prison system. Since July 2021, 28 people have been diagnosed with active TB; during the outbreak investigation, DOH and DOC identified over 2900 potentially Health Advisory: Tuberculosis Testing For People Who Were Previously Incarcerated

09/27/2023 Increase in Shigella Cases in Yakima County

Requested Actions How Shigella Spreads Shigella bacteria cause an infection called shigellosis. Shigella can spread easily from one person to another- and it only takes a small amount of Shigella to cause illness. Shigella spreads easily and individuals can get infected by swallowing Shigella. Some ways Shigella can get on individuals’ hands are: Symptoms of 09/27/2023 Increase in Shigella Cases in Yakima County

Upcoming Webinars from Washington State Department of Health on Changes to COVID-19 Guidance in Healthcare

The WA State Department of Health (DOH) will be updating the Interim Recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings onApril 3rd, 2023.On April 3rd,updates will be found at this web page: DOH COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings. The Washington State Department of Health is holding a webinar on April 6th, 2023 <strong>Upcoming Webinars from Washington State Department of Health on Changes to COVID-19 Guidance in Healthcare</strong>