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04/20/26 Provider Alert: Measles continues to spread in Washington; Prepare now
Current Situation As of April 15, 2026, a total of 37 cases of measles have been identified in Washington state this year. WA DOH is aware of at least 9 separate introductions of measles into the state since January 1, 2026, all associated with domestic or international travel. Many of these cases have led to…
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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…
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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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Uninsured Care Expansion Grant and Patient Resources for Individuals Experiencing Long COVID-19
Requested Actions Be aware the Health Care Authority (HCA) has received $35 million in federal resources for the provision of health care services for uninsured and underinsured individuals under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. Be aware the University of Washington Medicine has a Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation and Recovery clinic to…
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Health Advisory: COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Update
01/05/2022 Requested actions Be aware the CDC has indicated the guidance released last week was intended for the general public, and they will be releasing additional I&Q guidance for some congregant settings soon. Be aware WA DOH recommends that people staying, working/learning in the following settings continue to follow existing DOH and CDC guidance until…
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12/14/21: Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Immunization, Immunizations, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Provider Resources, Schools, TravelCOVID-19 Updates for Providers Requested actions Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommend everyone 16 years or older get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose at the recommended interval. This recommendation comes after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer-BioNTech…