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Health Advisory: Increase in Tuberculosis Cases in the Lower Yakima Valley
03/25/2025 Situation The Yakima Health District is reporting a significant increase in active tuberculosis (TB) cases in Yakima County. Over the past eight months, there has been a rise in confirmed cases, promoting heightened surveillance and precautionary measures. Key Updates Actions Required for Providers (Click image to view) 2. Infection Control Measures 3. Reporting of…
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9/27/2021 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware, Washington State is currently experiencing a shortage of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Adhere to National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines on the use and prioritization of MAbs. Be aware, on Sept. 24 the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a single booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)…
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9/17/21 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Requested actions Do not administer or prescribe Ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert about the rapid increase in Ivermectin prescriptions and report of severe illness associated with the use of Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. The evidence suggesting Ivermectin is safe or effective…
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9/14/21 – Health Advisory: Be vigilant for measles and polio among newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan
Requested actions Be vigilant for measles and polio in patients with compatible symptoms, especially among people who recently arrived from countries where measles and polio circulate, including Afghanistan. Be aware of immunization recommendations for people arriving from Afghanistan. Immediately report suspected cases of measles or polio. Background Afghanistan ranks seventh in the world for measles…
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8/26/21 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years and older. Pfizer-BioNTech will now be referred to as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee). Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available to people 12-15 years old and people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised through emergency use authorization (EUA). Be aware, monoclonal antibody treatment is…
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Ivermectin Should Not Be Used To Prevent or Treat COVID-19
August 26, 2021 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) warns people should not take ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19, following today’s Health Alert Network advisory released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug used commonly in humans and animals. Although it is approved by the U.S. Food and…
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8/16/21 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Clinicians
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Novel CoronavirusRequested actions Be aware, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow an additional (third) dose for certain immunocompromised people. Be aware, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) authorized an additional (third) dose of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines under a revised EUA for certain people who…
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7/28/2021: CDC Updated STI Treatment Guidelines
7/28/2021 Dear Colleagues, CDC has released Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. This document provides current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The new guidelines include notable updates from the previous 2015 guidance, including: Updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, trichomoniasis,…
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COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Event With Gov. Inslee And Dr. Shah, Friday July 16
July 15, 2021 Governor Jay Inslee, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, and the Washington State Department of Health are inviting all health care providers in the state to a virtual meeting on Friday, July 16th, from 7:30a.m. to 8:00a.m. The governor and the secretary will share the new Power of Providers initiative around COVID-19…
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COVID-19 provider alert regarding July 4th celebrations and other summertime gatherings
Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** July 1, 2021 Actions Requested…
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Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers & Opioid Cluster
Health Advisory, Immunizations, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Opioids, Provider ResourcesContact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** June 9, 2021 Requested actions Be aware of local and national reports of myocarditis and pericarditis among people who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within the last 2 weeks. Promptly report cases…
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4/26/21 – Health Advisory: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine is again authorized for use in people 18 years or older in Washington starting April 24. Discard any J&J Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets you have on hand. Use the new J&J EUA Fact Sheet. Monitor and properly treat patients who develop signs and symptoms of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)—severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath—within 3 weeks…
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Provider Alert: 04/13/2021 Johnson & Johnson Vaccine paused due to safety alert
Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Provider Alert: Johnson &…