Provider Resources WA

03/14/23 Health Advisory: Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis

| March 14, 2023
Handwashing over stainless steel sink.

Requested actions Background Shigellosis is an acute enteric infection. It is an important cause of domestically acquired and travel-associated bacterial diarrhea in the United States. A low infectious dose makes Shigella bacteria easily transmitted from person to person. Consider shigellosis in the differential diagnosis of acute diarrhea, especially in people who: Shigellosis can be a mild, … 03/14/23 Health Advisory: Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis

02/03/23 Health Advisory: Multistate Cluster of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Associated with Artificial Tears

| February 3, 2023
Yellow triangle with ! in the center and "Health Advisory" in black text to the right.

Actions requested Background Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a cluster of antibiotic-resistant infections that may be linked to artificial tears. The most frequently reported brand was EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free product dispensed in muti-dose bottles. These over-the-counter eye drops are sold widely in … 02/03/23 Health Advisory: Multistate Cluster of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Associated with Artificial Tears

12/19/22 Health Advisory: Antiviral Flu Treatment Interim Guidance

| December 19, 2022
close up of a line of prescription pill bottles

Be advised: Background Seasonal flu activity is high across the United States. Vaccination and antiviral treatment help prevent and control flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 4 antivirals for early treatment of outpatients with flu: oseltamivir, baloxavir, zanamivir and peramivir. While FDA does not report shortages of oseltamivir in any of its forms, providers … 12/19/22 Health Advisory: Antiviral Flu Treatment Interim Guidance

12/19/22 Health Advisory: Newly Arrived Ukrainian Citizens’ Medical and Mental Health Needs

| December 19, 2022

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced a new Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) process to help Ukrainian citizens fleeing war come to the United States temporarily. As of Nov. 18, 2022: Newly arrived Ukrainian citizens have various medical and mental health needs. Resources

12/12/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates

| December 13, 2022
syringe in medicine vial

Bebtelovimab no longer authorized in the United States. On Nov. 30, 2022, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bebtelovimab. Bebtelovimab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat COVID-19. FDA revoked the EUA because the drug lost efficacy against most SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the United States. Currently, … 12/12/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates

11/23/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

| November 23, 2022
blonde child using kleenex

On Nov. 18, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a high-level alert on a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing remarkable strain on pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). This alert followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Nov. 4 Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on multiple viruses causing … 11/23/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

11/22/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

| November 23, 2022
Individual with stethoscope and young child on exam table

On Nov. 18, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a high-level alert on a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing remarkable strain on pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). This alert followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Nov. 4 Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on multiple viruses causing … 11/22/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

11/10/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity

| November 15, 2022
Person covering their mouth with hand, head lowered

This increase in illness early in respiratory illness season highlights the importance of prompt vaccination and antiviral treatment. See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) HAN alert. Multiple viruses are causing increased respiratory illness, especially among children, straining healthcare systems. Transmission of respiratory illnesses is increased in our communities. Schools report much higher absenteeism … 11/10/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity

11/1/22 Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters available to children 5 years or older

| October 19, 2022
Eight kids laying in a circle looking up at camera

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approved an age expansion for updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. The expansion allows children: 5–11 years old to get 1 booster dose of Pfizer pediatric updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. 6–17 years old to get 1 … 11/1/22 Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters available to children 5 years or older

09/14/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Providers

| September 14, 2022
hands in blue medical gloves holding a syringe and drawing from a vile

FDA removed its authorization of current (monovalent) Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines for use as booster doses in people 12 years or older. As of Aug. 31, you may no longer give current (monovalent) Moderna and Pfizer vaccines as booster doses to people 12 years or older. Reschedule existing booster dose appointments for people 12 years … 09/14/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Providers