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11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington
Current Situation On November 13, 2025, a Washington resident who has been hospitalized with respiratory illness symptoms since early November tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5 influenza virus. To our knowledge, this is the first known human case of H5N5. The…
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Health Advisory: Increase in Syphilis Cases in Yakima County
Requested Actions Be aware, Yakima County reported a 326% increase in syphilis cases in 2021 compared to 2020. Optimize syphilis surveillance in pregnancy to reduce the risk of congenital syphilis. Test all women in the first trimester or at presentation to care if presenting after the first trimester Test all high-risk women again in the…
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Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update
Monkeypox in Yakima County Lab results have confirmed that a Yakima County resident has tested positive for monkeypox. This is the first known case in Yakima County. Yakima Health District staff is working with the individual to identify close contacts and providing them with the JYNNEOS vaccine to prevent further spread. The individual is isolating…
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07/14/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, monkeypox, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Washington currently has 16 reported cases of monkeypox, mostly in King County. Early cases were linked to travel but Public Health Seattle–King County announced last week the virus is likely spreading locally. Monkeypox is rare and not often seen in the United States. It can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters…
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06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
Requested actions Immediately report suspected monkeypox cases to Yakima County Health District. Call the reporting line at 800-535-5016 ext. 541. Consider submitting a suspect monkeypox intake form to help us determine whether to test for monkeypox. Be aware, recent confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States differ from the classic monkeypox presentation of previous…
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CDC Call for Cases Pediatric Brain Abscesses, Epidural Empyemas, and Subdural Empyemas Associated with Streptococcus species
Advisory or Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Health Alert, News and Alerts, News and UpdateRequested Action Please see below for a CDC Call for Cases of Pediatric Brain Abscesses, Epidural Empyemas, and Subdural Empyemas Associated with Streptococcus species. Healthcare partners should report suspected cases to the local Yakima Health District by calling 509-249-6541 Summary: CDC is investigating a potential increase in pediatric brain abscesses and epidural and subdural…
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Health Advisory: Drug Overdose Deaths Continue to Increase in Yakima County
Requested Actions Be aware, in Yakima County, opioid overdose deaths have increased in 2020 and 2021. Be aware, synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl have been the primary factor for the increase in overdose deaths in the county. Ensure to co-prescribe naloxone to patients prescribed with opioids. Ensure to provide education to patients receiving an opioid…
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Health Advisory: Monkeypox virus in non-endemic countries
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, UncategorizedContact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested actions Be aware, monkeypox virus infections are occurring in non-endemic countries, including 10 case in the United States, 1 reported case in Washington State. Assess for alternative etiologies in conditions causing pox-like lesions—herpes simplex, syphilis, varicella, etc. Report suspected or confirmed monkeypox cases to the Health…
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COVID-19 Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities
COVID-19, News and Alerts, News and Update, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, Provider TrainingRequested Actions Be aware, following COVID-19 guidelines for long-term care facilities will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect residents and staff. All staff and visitors should be screened upon entry to the facility, provided a mask, hand hygiene performed, and information logged. Keep sign-in sheets for at least 30 days. Clean and disinfect…
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04/27/22 Health Advisory: CDC Treatment Updates and ACIP discusses second COVID-19 booster dose eligibility
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunization, Infection Control, MERS-CoV, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, VaccineRequested actions Be aware, on April 25, 2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory about the availability and use of recommended COVID-19 therapies. It also advised against using unproven treatments that have known or potential harm. Follow National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 treatment guidelines and use…
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Health Advisory: CDC endorses second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups
Requested Actions Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup endorsed Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) emergency use authorization (EUA) of a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for specific groups. The EUA allows: A second booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least…
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FDA Issued Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer’s Paxlovid
Requested Actions Be aware, the S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms or about 88 pounds)…
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Health Advisory: Increase in Syphilis Cases in Yakima County
Requested Actions Be aware, Yakima County reported a 326% increase in syphilis cases in 2021 compared to 2020. Optimize syphilis surveillance in pregnancy to reduce the risk of congenital syphilis. Test all women in the first trimester or at presentation to care if presenting after the first trimester Test all high-risk women again in the…