-
11/23/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider ResourcesOn 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
-
11/16/22 Health Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Infection Control, Notifiable Conditions, Pertussis, Prevention, Provider ResourcesBackground: Whatcom County is experiencing an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) activity. We are asking providers to consider pertussis in the differential for patients with a respiratory tract infection and a known pertussis exposure and/or for patients with paroxysmal cough. IDENTIFY Symptoms usually develop within 7-10 days after exposure but onset can range from 5-21 … 11/16/22 Health Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity
-
11/10/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity
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
-
WCHD Provider Advisory: Secretary of Health Mask order for Healthcare Settings continues
Be Aware The Statewide Face Covering Order issues by the Washington State Secretary of Health will remain in place for health care and long term-care settings as well as correctional facilities after the state of emergency ends Oct 31. Background Order 20-03.9 requires face masks in health care and long-term care settings regardless of the county’s … WCHD Provider Advisory: Secretary of Health Mask order for Healthcare Settings continues
-
11/1/22 Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters available to children 5 years or older
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunizations, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesCenters 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
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunization, Provider ResourcesFDA 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
-
09/14/22 Health Advisory: Monkey Pox Information for Providers
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, monkeypox, Provider ResourcesMonkeypox Monkeypox virus (MPV) is an ongoing health emergency. Whatcom County has 2 reported cases. The United States has over 21,000 reported cases. See our provider resources monkeypox page for prevention, testing and treatment guidance. Monkeypox is a notifiable condition. Call 360-778-6150 to report suspected or confirmed cases within 24 hours. Jynneos vaccine We have a limited … 09/14/22 Health Advisory: Monkey Pox Information for Providers
-
08/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update for Providers
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, monkeypox, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware, the first cases of monkeypox virus (MPV) in cisgender adult females and an adolescent under the age of 18 were reported in Washington State. Clinicians should suspect Monkeypox virus infection in any patient presenting with one or more lesions that suggest monkeypox infection, regardless of the patient’s age, social history, gender, … 08/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update for Providers
-
07/28/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update
We continue to monitor the monkeypox outbreak in Washington and the United States. Report possible monkeypox cases immediately upon suspicion, as Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requires. Call . We will help you complete an intake form and review exposure guidelines to evaluate close contacts. Monkeypox is rare and not often seen in the United States. It can cause a rash … 07/28/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update
-
07/18/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, monkeypox, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Washington currently has 53 reported cases of monkeypox, mostly in King County. Early cases were linked to travel but Public Health Seattle–King County announced last week the virus is likely spreading locally. Monkeypox is rare and not often seen in the United States. It can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters … 07/18/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
-
06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
Requested actions Immediately report suspected monkeypox cases to Whatcom County Health Department. Call the reporting line: 360-778-6150. Submit a suspect monkeypox intake form to help us determine whether to test for monkeypox. Be aware, recent confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States differ from the classic monkeypox presentation of previous outbreaks. To date, all … 06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance
-
06/24/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months
Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup concluded COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children as young as 6 months. Available to children 6 months to 4 years old: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, in a 3-dose primary series. Be sure to review dosage and vial labeling … 06/24/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months
-
06/14/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Immunization, Immunizations, News and AlertsBackground On May 12, 2022, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced many children are behind on routine vaccinations compared to pre-pandemic levels. The report found, from June 2019 to December 2021, immunization rates dropped: ↓ 9.6% in children 19–35 months old ↓ 3.9% in children 4–6 years old ↓ 3.6% in children 11–12 years … 06/14/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down