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06/13/24 Health Alert: Avian Flu Update
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Update, Notifiable ConditionsAlthough recently detected in dairy cattle in some states, the risk of H5N1 avian influenza A to the general public is still considered low. It is primarily an occupational risk and limited to people with direct contact with infected or potentially infected animals, such as sick birds and dairy cattle and their environments, or to unpasteurized…
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/18/23
The Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/18/23 is now available. PDF of report available here. One of the respiratory thresholds has been exceeded. This is a level at which some healthcare facilities have chosen to implement masking protocols at their facilities. We are available to provide guidance to healthcare providers who would like…
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/11/23
The Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/11/23 is now available. PDF of report available here. One of the respiratory thresholds has been exceeded. This is a level at which some healthcare facilities have chosen to implement masking protocols at their facilities. We are available to provide guidance to healthcare providers who would like…
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/4/23
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, COVID-19, Influenza, RSVThe Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/4/23 is now available. PDF of report available here.
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/28/23
The Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/28/23 is now available. PDF of report available here.
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/21/23
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, COVID-19, Influenza Update, News and AlertsThe Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/21/23 is now available. PDF of report available here.
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Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/14/23
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, News and AlertsThe Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 10/14/23 is now available. PDF of report available here.
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10/17/23 Health Advisory: FDA Authorized New Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Formulation
Advisory or Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunizations, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesThe new adjuvanted (2023–2204) formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people 12 years or older as follows: Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine availability may be limited and vary by location. Help patients understand this situation and thank them for their patience. Resources Questions?
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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, COVID-19, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesWhatcom County Health and Community Services is providing a report on respiratory virus activity in our multi-county North Sound region to support the consensus statement on universal masking in healthcare that was recently generated by several large regional healthcare organizations and coordinated by the Northwest Healthcare Response Network. A collaborative group identified percent (%) of ED…
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09/28/23 Health Advisory: 2023–2024 Respiratory Illness Season
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Influenza, News and Alerts, Provider ResourcesThis 2023–2024 respiratory illness season, we’re monitoring 3 common causes of respiratory illness that circulate in Whatcom County: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Influenza Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States last flu season (2022–2023) caused: Those at highest risk for severe illness include: Guidelines RSV RSV…
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09/21/23 Health Advisory: New COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized, Previous Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Deauthorized
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Provider ResourcesFDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. On Sept. 11, 2023, FDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. CDC recommends new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines. CDC’s new, updated (2023–2014) COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: Vaccination remains the best way to prevent COVID-19 hospitalization and death and reduces the risk of long COVID. The new, updated…
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9/11/23 Health Advisory: reports of fatal Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) infections
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Provider Resources, UncategorizedThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to: Recommendations for Healthcare ProfessionalsThis guidance pertains to managing severe V. vulnificus wound infections. Diagnosis Clinical Management Clinician Reporting Recommendations for the PublicTaking the following steps can help keep you safe: Contacting Whatcom County Health and Community Services.…
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07/19/23: The first case of Candida auris diagnosed in Washington
A Pierce County man was diagnosed July 13 with colonization due to Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant fungus that can cause serious infections. This is believed to be the first locally acquired case in Washington. C. auris is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness, especially in those suffering from serious medical conditions who have…