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12/18/25 Health Update: Guidance for Clinical Consideration of Avian Influenza
Advisory or Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Update, Notifiable ConditionsThis is a Provider Update from the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) withupdated guidance about clinical consideration of, and testing for, avian influenza. Current Situation In November of this year, WA DOH confirmed the first known human case of H5N5 influenza.The patient was hospitalized with severe disease that unfortunately resulted in death. ThisProvider…
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West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns
WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent. The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for…
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11/24/25 Health News: Statement Regarding Vaccines and Autism
On November 21 the Department of Health and the West Coast Health Alliance issued statements regarding vaccines and autism. In short, vaccines are thoroughly tested and remain one of the most important tools we have for preventing infectious diseases. They represent one of the greatest public health achievements in history, having saved millions of lives…
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11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington
Current Situation On November 13, 2025, a Washington resident who has been hospitalized with respiratory illness symptoms since early November tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5 influenza virus. To our knowledge, this is the first known human case of H5N5. The…
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11/12/25 Health Advisory: Infant Botulism Associated with ByHeart Infant Formula
Date: November 12, 2025 This is a Provider Alert from the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) regarding multiple cases of infant botulism after consuming ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Current Situation On November 8th, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula.…
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9/29/25 Health Advisory: Clade I Mpox Virus Detected in Wastewater; Rise in Cases of Clade II Mpox
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Alert, monkeypox, News and Alerts, Notifiable ConditionsThis 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 since…
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09/23/25 News Alert: DOH and Health Partners Emphasize the Need for Equitable Access and Evidence-Based Vaccine Policy
Statewide Standing Order for COVID-19 Vaccines To support Washingtonians in their efforts to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection using the best available science, DOH issued a statewide standing order for COVID-19 vaccines. This standing order under the direction of the State Health Officer, authorizes qualified health care professionals to vaccinate individuals aged 6 months and…
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09/15/25 Health Advisory: 2025–2026 respiratory-illness season vaccine recommendations
Summary Influenza COVID-19 RSV Co-administration of COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines is safe. Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent severe disease and hospitalization. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) support evidence-based recommendations from trusted national medical specialty societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy…
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8/25/25 Health Advisory: Potentially Dangerous Heat Wave in Washington this Week
Current Situation The National Weather Service has forecasted a potentially dangerous long-duration heat event for Washington State and the Western US, beginning August 22 and extending to midweek this week. During this time, elevated daytime temperatures and limited cooling at night may pose a moderate to major risk for heat-related illnesses, with some areas under…
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07/25/25 Health Advisory: Pfizer recall of Benzathine Penicillin G injectable suspension (Bicillin LA)
Summary: Check your Bicillin LA and save remaining supply to treat pregnant people and infants with syphilis. Pfizer voluntarily recalled 12 lots of Benzathine Penicillin G Injectable Suspension (Bicillin LA) after particulates were found during a visual inspection. The recall comes amid high syphilis diagnoses across the U.S. Penicillin is the only recommended treatment for pregnant people…
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07/03/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases
Summary: Upgrade screening and preparation for Candida auris. Two facilities in Seattle have known transmission of Candida auris (C. auris). We have limited information about how much transmission is occurring in Washington. We recommend that you: Early screening is critical for rapid identification so you can quickly implement infection control measures and prevent spread at your facility. Background As of…
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6/27/25 Health Update – Measles
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Measles, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesBackground Whatcom County Health and Community Services has confirmed two cases of measles in residents of Whatcom County. Cases are part of the same household. Risk to the general community is considered low at this time. We continue to evaluate suspected cases and coordinate testing if indicated. Requested Actions for Healthcare Providers Immediately report suspected…
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Confirmed Measles Case in Whatcom County
Background Whatcom County Health and Community Services has confirmed a case of measles in a resident of Whatcom County. The individual was evaluated at Family Care Network Urgent Care in Lynden on June 18, 2025. Individuals present at the following location during the listed timeframe may have been exposed to measles: Date Time Location June…