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2/28/25 Health Advisory: Measles Case in King County
Background Public Health – Seattle & King County was notified on February 26, 2025 of a confirmed measles case in a King County infant. The infant may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. Exposed individuals should check to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles. Anyone who was at the following…
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7/5/21 – Health Advisory: Melioidosis Cases Not Associated with Travel Outside the United States & COVID-19 Update for Providers
COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware of 3 cases of melioidosis in the United States that are not associated with travel outside the United States that appear related based on genomic analysis. Consider melioidosis in patients with a compatible illness even if they have not traveled to an endemic country. If you suspect or confirm Burkholderia pseudomallei in…
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6/18/21- Potential Myocarditis and/or Pericarditis Following COVID-19 Vaccinations Remain Rare
On 5/26/21, we sent a health alert about potential myocarditis and/or pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations. These events remain rare and COVID-19 vaccination continues to be recommended as an overall safe and effective measure to protect individuals and prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including the current circulating variants. DOH has provided an update on the status of their work…
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6/7/21 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
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 to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Vaccinate everyone 12 years or older against COVID-19. Build trust in COVID-19 vaccines. Review all patients’ vaccination…
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5/26/2021- Myocarditis or pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state health agencies are aware of reports of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. To ensure all possible cases are identified, DOH is requesting that health care providers: Consider a diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis in any evaluation…
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5/13/2021 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Requested actions Build trust in COVID-19 vaccine. Recommend all patients 12 years or older get vaccinated. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine now authorized for people 12 years or older. Providers can now give COVID-19 vaccine simultaneous with or within any number of days of other vaccines. Providers no longer need to use 95% of their COVID-19 vaccine within…
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4/26/21 – Health Advisory: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Providers
Requested 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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4/14/21 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Immediately pause administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Six people reported severe blood clots after getting Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Offer patients Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Continue to store Johnson & Johnson vaccine and await further instructions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reviewing these cases…
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3/29/2021-WCHD Health Alert – SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing – criteria and specimen submission
Overview The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has increased whole genome sequencing capacity to track SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and other emerging variants. DOH is working toward sequencing a geographically representative sample representing at least 5% of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests in Washington State. DOH has additional capacity to sequence individual specimens to investigate…
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3/22/2021 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) opened Phase 1B Tier 2 on March 17. DOH updated its Phase 1B guidance and released an expected timeline for moving into future tiers. Encourage people eligible in Phase 1A and Phase 1B Tiers 1 and 2 to get vaccinated. Direct patients to vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov to find vaccine providers near them, and to our COVID-19…
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3/10/2021: Health Advisory – COVID-19 Updates for Providers
COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved emergency use authorization (EUA) for single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 27. Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) added preK-12 educators, school staff and childcare workers to vaccine eligibility Phase 1B Tier 1 and released an expected timeline for moving into future…
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3/4/2021 Provider alert anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and increase of fentanyl overdose
Actions Requested Support clients and patients who are experiencing despair or hopelessness, apathy or anger, and grief and loss. See the Supporting Clients and Patients section and resources for providers for more information. Share information and resources with clients, patients, and their families on building resilience, support strategies, mental and emotional well-being, and crisis support.…
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2/6/21 Health Advisory: Syphilis Rising Among Heterosexuals
Requested actions Familiarize yourself with all stages of syphilis to recognize symptoms. Test for syphilis: Pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and again at 24-28 weeks gestation. Pregnant women who present late to care, wherever they present for care. Also test for HIV, HBsAg and STIs. Sexually active people who live homeless, exchange money or drugs…