Stephanie Badillo-Sanchez

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

| September 26, 2024
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

| June 25, 2024
stethoscope sitting on laptop keyboard

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

| May 15, 2024

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

| April 24, 2024

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

| March 20, 2024
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

| December 1, 2023
Exam room with vitals equipment on wall

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

| September 27, 2023

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

| March 31, 2023

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>

Secretary of Health Mask Order in Washington State Will be Rescinded After April 3, 2023 , Washington State Department of Health to Continue Masking Recommendations at This Time

| March 15, 2023

Requested Actions Background In Washington state, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza disease rates and hospitalizations have continued to decline since the end of last year. Washington State Department of Health’s infection prevention and control guidance continues to recommend masks for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors in healthcare settings. Currently, Washington State Department of Health’s Education and … <strong>Secretary of Health Mask Order in Washington State Will be Rescinded After April 3, 2023 , Washington State Department of Health to Continue Masking Recommendations at This Time</strong>

CDC Health Advisory: Outbreak of Extensively Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Artificial Tears

| February 2, 2023

SummaryThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA) in 12 states. Most patients reported using artificial tears. Patients reported more than 10 different brands of artificial … CDC Health Advisory: Outbreak of Extensively Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Artificial Tears