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Health Advisory: Avian Influenza Detected in Dairy Cattle in Yakima County
10/08/2026 Current Situation The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) have confirmed the first detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in two dairy farms in Yakima County. The Yakima Health District is in contact with the impacted dairies to monitor…
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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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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