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Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/25/23
The Northwest Regional Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report for week ending 11/25/23 is now available. PDF of report available here. One of the respiratory virus Percent of ED Visits continues above threshold. 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…
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07/06/23 Health Advisory: Syphilis Treatment Impacted by Bicillin L-A Shortage
Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A) is in short supply due to increased demand. Syphilis is increasing in all groups, especially in heterosexual people. Reserve Bicillin L-A for pregnant people with or exposed to syphilis, or babies with congenital syphilis. Read on for syphilis: Treatment. Testing with reverse algorithm. Reserve Bicillin L-A for pregnant people. Reserve…
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5/25/23 Health Advisory: Measles Activity in Washington State
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Measles, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider ResourcesBackground Seattle & King County and the Washington State Department of Health have identified a confirmed case of measles in a King County resident with unknown vaccine history. There was no specifically identified exposure, and the infection appears to be U.S. acquired (no international travel). The individual with measles visited the following public locations in Seattle, WA during their…
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03/14/23 Health Advisory: Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Infection Control, Notifiable Conditions, Provider Resources, TravelRequested actions Background Shigellosis is an acute enteric infection. It is an important cause of domestically acquired and travel-associated bacterial diarrhea in the United States. A low infectious dose makes Shigella bacteria easily transmitted from person to person. Consider shigellosis in the differential diagnosis of acute diarrhea, especially in people who: Shigellosis can be a mild,…
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Whatcom County Health Advisory
Immunization Reminder- Students 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2023, must receive additional doses of vaccine to attend school. Whatcom County Health and Community Services Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Background In the past, students had 30 days from the first day of attendance to turn in their immunization documentation to the…
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02/03/23 Health Advisory: Multistate Cluster of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Associated with Artificial Tears
Actions requested Background Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a cluster of antibiotic-resistant infections that may be linked to artificial tears. The most frequently reported brand was EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free product dispensed in muti-dose bottles. These over-the-counter eye drops are sold widely in…
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1/25/23 Measles Activity in Washington State
Background Local public health officials in King County are investigating a confirmed measles case in a King County resident, an adult female. The individual was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Providence Swedish First Hill while infectious. Anyone who was at these locations within the time span that this person passed through may have been exposed to…
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12/19/22 Health Advisory: Antiviral Flu Treatment Interim Guidance
Be advised: Background Seasonal flu activity is high across the United States. Vaccination and antiviral treatment help prevent and control flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 4 antivirals for early treatment of outpatients with flu: oseltamivir, baloxavir, zanamivir and peramivir. While FDA does not report shortages of oseltamivir in any of its forms, providers…
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12/19/22 Health Advisory: Newly Arrived Ukrainian Citizens’ Medical and Mental Health Needs
On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced a new Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) process to help Ukrainian citizens fleeing war come to the United States temporarily. As of Nov. 18, 2022: Newly arrived Ukrainian citizens have various medical and mental health needs. Resources
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12/12/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates
Advisory or Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, News and Alerts, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesBebtelovimab no longer authorized in the United States. On Nov. 30, 2022, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bebtelovimab. Bebtelovimab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat COVID-19. FDA revoked the EUA because the drug lost efficacy against most SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the United States. Currently,…
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11/23/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider ResourcesOn Nov. 18, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a high-level alert on a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing remarkable strain on pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). This alert followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Nov. 4 Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on multiple viruses causing…
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11/22/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington
On Nov. 18, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a high-level alert on a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing remarkable strain on pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). This alert followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Nov. 4 Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on multiple viruses causing…
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11/16/22 Health Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Infection Control, Notifiable Conditions, Pertussis, Prevention, Provider ResourcesBackground: Whatcom County is experiencing an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) activity. We are asking providers to consider pertussis in the differential for patients with a respiratory tract infection and a known pertussis exposure and/or for patients with paroxysmal cough. IDENTIFY Symptoms usually develop within 7-10 days after exposure but onset can range from 5-21…