-
07/14/25: High Temperatures coming to Washington
OLYMPIA – The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerously high temperatures across parts of Washington this week. Heat advisories are issued for several counties statewide for much of the week, with dangerously high temperatures both during the day and overnight and close to 100 degree highs expected Wednesday in some areas. The National Weather Service is High heat can…
-
MERS-CoV
In September 2012, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health announced a new form of coronavirus, since named Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). So far all cases have been linked (by residence or travel) to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain; Iraq; Iran; Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Oman;…
-
Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
Overview Transmission: Fecal-oral. Incubation Period: Average 28-30 days (range 15-50 days). Symptoms: Anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, followed by jaundice. Severity of illness increases with age. Infectious Period: 14 days prior to onset of jaundice to seven days after onset of jaundice. Infants can excrete virus in the stool for longer periods of time. Epidemiology:…
-
Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
Overview Transmission: Fecal-oral. Incubation Period: Average 28-30 days (range 15-50 days). Symptoms: Anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, followed by jaundice. Severity of illness increases with age. Infectious Period: 14 days prior to onset of jaundice to seven days after onset of jaundice. Infants can excrete virus in the stool for longer periods of time. Epidemiology:…
-
Health Advisory: Zika Testing
Action Requested Know how to order appropriate Zika virus testing through commercial laboratories. Background Because testing for Zika virus is now widely available through commercial laboratories, testing for Zika virus at Washington State Public Health Laboratories is now limited to: Patients for whom cost is a barrier to testing. Infants with possible congenital exposure to…
-
Lice in Schools
What procedures should our school follow if a student has head lice? Head lice are tiny parasites that can live on the human head. They survive by sucking blood from the scalp. Lice eggs (called “nits”) can attach to strands of head hair. Lice can cause the head to itch, but have not been proven…
-
Health Advisory: Measles Outbreak in Minneapolis
Actions Requested Be aware of an expanding outbreak of measles in Minneapolis, MN. Advise patients planning travel of increased measles activity and ensure they are adequately immunized. When evaluating febrile rash illness, ask about out-of-state and out-of-country travel within the last 21 days. Background A measles outbreak is occurring in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area.…
-
Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet
Meningococcal disease is a sudden, severe illness caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. The disease manifests most commonly as meningitis and/or meningococcemia, but may also cause pneumonia, arthritis or pericarditis. The symptoms include sudden high fever, chills, severe headache, stiff neck and back, nausea, vomiting, purpural rash, decreased level of consciousness, difficulty breathing and seizures.…
-
“What is Public Health?” from American Public Health Association
Learn why public health is essential in American Public Health Association’s “What Is Public Health?” article. Read article
-
Measles Diagnosis Information
Most people in the United States are protected against measles through vaccination, so local measles cases are uncommon. However, every year measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries. They can spread measles to other people who are not protected…
-
Adult Syphilis Treatment Guidelines
This article is excerpted from CDC’s 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines. The preferred drug for all stages of syphilis treatment is Penicillin G administered parenterally. Preparation, dosage, and length of treatment depend on the stage and clinical manifestations of the disease. Selection of the appropriate penicillin preparation is important. T. pallidum can reside in sequestered sites…
-
Flu Patient Information
Worried about the flu? Influenza is widespread and at epidemic levels. The best way to protect yourself and your family is still getting a flu vaccine. Frequent hand washing and avoiding others who are sick also helps. Flu vaccines can take up to two weeks to take effect. What if, despite your best efforts, you…
-
Tuberculosis Screening
Consider testing Person traveling in TB endemic areas. Migrant workers. Person experiencing homelessness. Contact to a tuberculosis case. Foreign-born person from tuberculosis-endemic area. Person who injects drugs. Immunosupressed person (e.g., HIV positive or organ transplant). Resident/employee of healthcare, correctional or long-term care facility. Person with chronic medical problem (e.g., diabetes, end stage renal disease). Test…