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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…
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05/01/24 Health Advisory: Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease Increasing in the United States
Summary Increase nationwide On March 28, 2024, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued a health advisory about the increase in invasive serogroup Y meningococcal disease in the United States. Washington has not seen an increase in cases. Washington had 4 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in 2023. Providers have reported 3 confirmed cases so far…
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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…
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Health Advisory: New Washington State Department of Health Guidance for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses Does Not Apply to Healthcare Settings
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…
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01/19/24 Health Advisory: Measles Outbreak in Southwest Washington
An active measles outbreak investigation is underway in Clark and Wahkiakum Counties. As of Jan. 10, 2024, investigators have identified 3 lab-confirmed and 3 epidemiologically linked measles cases in unvaccinated adults. Symptoms began in mid-to-late December. All report isolating at home during their contagious period. Investigators have not identified any public exposure locations. Healthcare providers…
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Health Advisory: Tuberculosis Testing For People Who Were Previously Incarcerated
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…
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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…
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09/20/23 Health Advisory: New COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized, Previous Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Deauthorized
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, News and Alerts, Provider Resources, UncategorizedOn Sept. 11, 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized for emergency use new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. FDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. On Sept. 11, 2023, FDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. CDC recommends new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines. CDC’s new, updated (2023–2014) COVID-19…
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07/19/23: The first case of Candida auris diagnosed in Washington
A Pierce County man was diagnosed July 13 with colonization due to Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant fungus that can cause serious infections. This is believed to be the first locally acquired case in Washington. C. auris is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness, especially in those suffering from serious medical conditions who have…
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05/04/23 Health Advisory: Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Use Expanded, Monovalent No Longer Authorized
Advisory or Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, VaccineRequested actions Monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States. Read below for how to discard and report as waste. Use the new simplified schedule to administer COVID-19 vaccine. People who are 65 years or older or have immune compromise can now get a second bivalent booster…
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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…
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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
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…
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Health Advisory: Environmental Health Hazards in Yakima County
Requested Actions PFAS Background PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) are human made chemicals that can be found in products such as food packaging, outdoor clothing, non-stick pans, and firefighting foam. PFAS can enter the environment through production or waste streams and can build up in animals, fish, birds, plants, and people. Exposure People are primarily exposed to…