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1/16/26 Health Update: Measles Outbreak Declared in Snohomish County
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Measles, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesAdditional measles cases confirmed in Snohomish County. See Snohomish County Health Department’s latest announcement here. All known public exposure locations are listed on the measles map tracker. Requested Actions for Healthcare Providers Immediately report suspected measles cases Remain alert for measles in patients presenting with: Consider proactive measures to protect patients and staff in your…
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3/28/20 WCHD Health Alert: COVID-19 Update
Outdated Content – please see most recent alerts. Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Practice Advisory for Community Testing: Whatcom County Health Department has expanded a drive-through testing site for COVID-19 and is accepting referrals from local providers at its State Street office on a scheduled basis. We have partnered with Northwest…
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Infection Control: Resources and links
Infection Control: Resources and Links – Guide to infection prevention for outpatient settings—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities—CDC Guidelines for environmental infection control in healthcare facilities —CDC Guideline for hand hygiene in healthcare settings —CDC Guideline for isolation precautions—CDC Guideline for the prevention of surgical site…
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3/20/20 WCHD Health Alert: COVID-19 Update Current guidance on testing, PPE, Isolation, Quarantine, and Return to Work for HCW.
COVID-19, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesMarch 20, 2020 Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Washington DOH issued two documents this week summarizing current guidance on COVID-19 testing, PPE use, isolation, quarantine, and return to work for healthcare workers, superseding previous guidance. Please review both of these short documents carefully. Attached are the two documents updating guidance on…
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3/17/20 WCHD Health Alert: COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesOutdated Content – please see most recent alerts. Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Who to Test for COVID-19: COVID-19 testing is allowed based on clinician’s judgement per CDC. This opens up access under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that regulates public health and clinical laboratories. COVID-19 testing is recommended for:…
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3/03/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Features Update
Outdated Content – please see most recent alerts. Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division The Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) is currently fielding a large number of questions from the individuals who report respiratory symptoms or other health concerns potentially related to COVID-19. Reminder: WCHD does not diagnose patients. As a reminder…
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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…