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Health Advisory: Be Alert for Mpox: Clade I Mpox Virus Detected in Wastewater; Rise in Cases of Clade II Mpox
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Health Alert, monkeypox, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources09/29/2025 This is a Provider Alert from the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) Office of Infectious Disease. WA DOH is requesting that providers remain alert for cases of mpox due to: Current Situation: Mpox (formerly “monkeypox”), the infection caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), has been circulating at low levels in Washington State…
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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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12/24/20 – Provider Alert: Increased Concern of Suicide Risk in Youth During COVID-19
**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Questions? Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control, 509-249-6509 Requested actions: Screen patients for suicide risk, particularly children, teens, and young adults. See the Screening section below for more information. Share information and resources with patients and their families on crisis support, suicide…
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12/12/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Requested actions Be aware, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so long as access to PPE is sufficient and, for hospitals, surge capacity is at least 20%. Be aware, due to rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases across…
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12/3/20 Provider Alert: CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines and Influenza Testing
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Influenza, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Requested Actions Be aware CDC issued new guidelines to reduce quarantine for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 Ensure to continue to test for influenza when suspected Recommend influenza vaccine to all eligible people older than 6 months. Continue to counsel patients…
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12/2/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesHealth Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers Requested actions Be aware, because of the rapidly increasing cases across the state, heightened restrictions continue through Dec. 14. Counsel patients on how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Test patients with new COVID-19 symptoms and those who had close contact with a person with COVID-19. Be aware, an increased demand for…
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Provider Alert 10/19/2020: State updates return to school guidance for COVID-19 cases, HIV clusters & Outbreaks, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A)
Health Advisory, HIV & STDs, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, SchoolsOctober 19, 2020 Requested Actions Review updated guidance from The Washington State Department of Health (DOH)for allowing children to return to school or childcare and school staff to return to work following a positive COVID-19 symptom screening, as it pertains to potential impact on primary care and other healthcare providers. Be aware CDC issued…
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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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Situation Update 9/03/2020
Situation Update 09/03/2020 Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested actions No community-based testing will be occurring for the next three weeks. Providers urged to increase COVID-19 testing capacity to support additional people seeking testing. Reduce barriers to testing such as scheduling appointments several days out, or requiring symptoms to get tested, etc.…
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8/28/2020 Health Advisory: Influenza and COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Health Advisory, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware CDC released new guidance on preventing influenza with vaccines during the 2020-2021 season. Reinforce masking and social distancing recommendations with patients. DOH survey of Yakima County residents who have utilized community testing locations show that 76% trust their doctor to inform them about COVID-19 recommendations. Washington State Department of Health guidance has…
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8/24/20 Health Advisory: Immunization Updates for Providers
Requested actions Support families in meeting school and childcare-related immunization requirements. Be aware of the State Board of Health immunization rule change. Anticipate increased requests and demand. Be aware of the new guidelines regarding Tdap in schools. Provide students with medically verified immunization records for schools. Students must have their records by the first day of school. Follow CDC guidance to…
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8/4/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, UncategorizedRequested actions Be aware CDC updated its COVID-19 isolation duration guidance. Test all patients with new onset of COVID-19 symptoms as well as close contacts to confirmed cases, regardless of age or health status. Testing should be completed within 24 hours of symptom onset. Ensure your facility is able to provide COVID-19 testing to your patients…
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Update #14: Interim COVID-19 Guidance
**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Requested Actions Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 testing guidance. Test all patients with COVID-19 symptoms and asymptomatic people from a priority population including close contacts of confirmed cases (see details below). Be aware of additional laboratories that can…