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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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Expedited Partner Therapy
There are temporary changes to Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) packs distribution. This is a result of the Washington State Department of Health undergoing an audit of its program. Please: Stop giving out EPT packs. Give the patient a prescription for their partner to fill at their pharmacy of choice. Advise that the partner will need…
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Marijuana Prevention
We work to protect the health of youth. We work with community partners to prevent youth marijuana use. Marijuana use is illegal for people under the age of 21. Why is this work important? Marijuana use puts teens at higher risk for addiction. Youth who use marijuana are more likely to fail in school. Most…
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Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedures – Training Document
Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedure Purpose: Prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Definition of substantial exposure to potentially infectious body fluids: Any percutaneous, mucosal, or non-intact skin contact with the blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids of another person. In some instances, the Health Department may consider gross exposure of intact skin to…
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines: Key Updates
Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infections of the Cervix, Urethra, Pharynx, and Rectum Recommended treatment regimen is dual therapy with Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose plus Azithromycin 1 gm p.o. in a single dose. Doxycycline is no longer recommended for use in conjunction with Ceftriaxone to treat gonorrhea. If Ceftriaxone is not available,…
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Health Advisory: Change in Consent Requirement for HIV Testing
Overview In the past, providers were required to get exceptional consent before testing patients for HIV. On June 7, 2018, Washington State Legislature Bill SB 6580 passed, repealing the law requiring exceptional consent for HIV testing. Now HIV testing has the same notification and consent requirement as any other medical test. Impacts of this Change…
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Health Advisory: 2018-2019 Influenza Reporting, Testing and Treatment
Reporting Seasonal influenza surveillance begins in October. Influenza surveillance relies on high-quality data received from healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, laboratories and other partners in the community. It is early in the season, but laboratory-confirmed influenza and influenza-associated hospitalizations have already occurred in Washington. Washington law requires healthcare providers to report the following…
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Health Advisory: Increase in Suspected Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Increase in Suspected Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) As of Oct. 9, 2018, 5 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in Washington are being evaluated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) neurologists and other AFM experts. All cases are among children between 7 months and 5 years of age who presented with…
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West Nile Virus
Background and Epidemiology WNV infection first became a public health problem in the United States in the late 1990s. WNV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever and St. Louis encephalitis. In rare situations, blood transfusion, organ transplant, transplacental, breastfeeding and percutaneous injury of laboratory workers can transmit the…
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Pertussis Fact Sheet
To report a confirmed or suspect case of pertussis, complete the or call . Overview Pertussis is common and very contagious. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria infect cilia in the upper respiratory tract. Early symptoms are mild, like the common cold. Patients often experience violent coughing fits (paroxysms). These can be followed by…
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MRSA Resources for Schools
What is MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria resistant to many forms of antibiotics. Many people carry it in their nose or on their skin. Most infections affect the skin, but MRSA can also infect other organs. Without treatment, infections can be life threatening, causing severe complications like sepsis or endocarditis.…
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Health Advisory: Unhealthy Air Quality
Unhealthy Air Quality Guidance for Healthcare Providers On Aug. 19, 2018, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency determined air quality in Pierce County will be unhealthy for everyone for the next several days. This means everyone should stay indoors and refrain from outdoor activities until the clean air agency lifts or revises the air quality…
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