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11/21/24 Health Advisory: Pertussis Update
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Pertussis, Provider ResourcesWhatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) staff continue to respond to a rise in pertussis infections at the local levels. Pertussis reports have also been rising in Washington state and nationally. WCHCS asks that healthcare providers remain alert for patients with symptoms of pertussis and to report suspected cases. Current Situation Pertussis cases reported…
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Health Advisory: COVID-19 Cases Increasing in Multiple Countries
Requested actions Be aware COVID-19 cases are increasing globally. Get a detailed travel history for patients with fever and acute respiratory illness. Ask patients with suspected COVID-19 infection to wear a surgical mask. Evaluate them in a private room with the door closed, ideally an airborne infection isolation room. All healthcare personnel entering the room…
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Health Advisory: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Respiratory Infection
There is 1 lab-confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in Washington, a traveler who returned to Snohomish County from Wuhan, China. Requested actions Get a detailed travel history when evaluating patients with fever and acute respiratory illness. Suspect 2019-nCoV in patients with: Clinical Features Epidemiologic Risk Fever1 or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of…
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WCHD Epi Watch July 2019
EPI WATCH: July 2019 Click here for the full July 2019 Epi Watch report. In This Issue: Lyme Disease Bat Exposures Infection Control Hepatitis Notifiable Conditions
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Health Advisory: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Respiratory Infection in Washington
A traveler who recently returned to Snohomish County from Wuhan, China has lab-confirmed 2019-nCoV. Requested actions Get a detailed travel history when evaluating patients with fever and acute respiratory illness. Suspect 2019-nCoV in patients with: Fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing) and in the 14 days before symptom onset: Traveled to Wuhan City, China,…
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WCHD Epi Watch April 2019
EPI WATCH: April 2019 Click here for the full April 2019 Epi Watch report. Inside This Issue: Measles Vaccines Influenza Notifiable Conditions
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WCHD Epi Watch January 2019
EPI WATCH: January 2019 Click here for the full January 2019 Epi Watch report. Inside This Issue: Vaccines Mumps Outbreaks Harm Reduction TB Referrals Notifiable Conditions
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Health Advisory: Outbreak of Pneumonia of Unknown Etiology in Wuhan, China
Treating patients who traveled in the region and have severe respiratory symptoms Requested actions: Consider pneumonia in patients with severe respiratory symptoms who: Traveled to Wuhan, China since Dec. 1, 2019, and Had onset of illness within 2 weeks of returning, and Do not have another known diagnosis that explains their illness. If a patient…
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12/28/19 WCHD Influenza Report
Whatcom County 2019-20 Influenza Report Weeks 51-52: December 15-28, 2019 Summary During weeks 51-52 there were nineteen positive influenza A tests, and two hundred thirty-six positive influenza B tests, reported by Family Care Network, Quest Diagnostics at PeaceHealth, and Sea Mar combined. There were fourteen hospitalizations related to influenza-like illness during weeks 51-52. No deaths…
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12/7/19 WCHD Influenza Report
Whatcom County 2019-20 Influenza Report Weeks 48-49: November 24-December 7, 2019 Summary During weeks 48-49 there were thirteen positive influenza A tests, and thirty-four positive influenza B tests reported by Quest Diagnostics at PeaceHealth, Family Care Network, and Sea Mar combined. There were less than ten hospitalizations related to influenza-like-illness during weeks 48-49. No…
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Health Advisory: Evaluating and Reporting Suspected E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
Requested actions Ask all patients if they recently used e-cigarette or vaping products and which substances they used. Ask patients who report using e-cigarette or vaping products about respiratory, gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms (e.g., cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever). Perform chest X-ray. Consider chest CT to evaluate…
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2019-2020 Influenza Season Preparedness
Surveillance updates Seasonal influenza surveillance begins in October and ends in April. It is important to stay up to date on local influenza activity. Vaccine Both influenza A components of this season’s vaccine are different from last season. Both B components are unchanged. CDC recommends influenza vaccine for everyone over age 6 months for whom…
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Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness
CDC Urges Clinicians to Report Cases of Unexplained Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Multiple cases of severe pulmonary disease in patients who use vape products have occurred in Wisconsin and Illinois. Requested actions Ask patients who present with respiratory or pulmonary illness if they vape THC or e-juice. Determine what kind of THC or e-juice they’ve vaped,…