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06/15/26 Health Advisory: Infant Botulism Associated with Nara Organics Infant Formula
Summary Actions requested Background Infant botulism is a rare illness where spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria colonize and grow in an infant’s large intestine. These bacteria release a neurotoxin that causes symptoms like constipation, weakness (especially in sucking, crying, and swallowing), and loss of muscle tone. If untreated, the condition can lead to paralysis, trouble breathing, and
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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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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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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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Urgent Notice: New Communicable Disease Fax Line
Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Alert, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable ConditionsThe Communicable Disease department at the Yakima Health District has a new fax line to report notifiable conditions and communicable diseases. The new fax line is (509) 381-3526. The Yakima Health District investigates approximately 100 communicable diseases and conditions that are reportable to the local health jurisdiction. To report a notifiable condition, use the Notifiable
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Tdap and Pregnancy Information for Providers
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Alert, Immunization, Notifiable Conditions, Pertussis, Provider ResourcesPertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every 3–5 years. Even though we have a vaccine, pertussis is a common infectious disease. There are 10,000–40,000 cases per year and 10–20 deaths.1 In 2013, there were more than 28,000 cases in the United States. Pertussis is most serious in
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First Confirmed Case of West Nile Virus in Yakima County
First confirmed case of West Nile Virus reported in Yakima County Requested Actions Be aware that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitos in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties. Yakima County has reported the first human case of WNV in Washington this year. Be aware of signs and symptoms of WNV infection. Fax
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Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedures – Training Document
Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedure Purpose: Prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Definition of substantial exposure to potentially infectious body fluids: Any percutaneous, mucosal, or non-intact skin contact with the blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids of another person. In some instances, the Health Department may consider gross exposure of intact skin to
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Guidance for COVID-19 Infection Prevention in First Responders and Healthcare Workers
Testing Sites for First Responders and Healthcare Workers Only
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Upcoming MAT Waiver Training Opportunity
Completion of this free 4 hour in-person course followed by a 4 hour online course allows physicians to apply for the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. ARNPs and PA-Cs require a 16 hour online course. Non-prescriber OUD care team members, including RNs and Substance Use Disorder Professionals, are encouraged to
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Support Youth Addicted to Nicotine
Supporting Youth who are Addicted to Nicotine: Advice for Pediatricians Ask the Right Questions: •Ask about tobacco and nicotine use in the context of routine screening, using language that youth will understand. Sample screening questions include: o “Do you use any tobacco products, like cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or hookah? Have you used them in the
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Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness
CDC Urges Clinicians to Report Cases of Unexplained Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Multiple cases of severe pulmonary disease in patients who use vape products have occurred in Wisconsin and Illinois. Requested actions Ask patients who present with respiratory or pulmonary illness if they vape THC or e-juice. Determine what kind of THC or e-juice they’ve vaped,