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2/28/25 Health Advisory: Measles Case in King County
Background Public Health – Seattle & King County was notified on February 26, 2025 of a confirmed measles case in a King County infant. The infant may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. Exposed individuals should check to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles. Anyone who was at the following…
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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…
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11/10/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity
This increase in illness early in respiratory illness season highlights the importance of prompt vaccination and antiviral treatment. See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) HAN alert. Multiple viruses are causing increased respiratory illness, especially among children, straining healthcare systems. Transmission of respiratory illnesses is increased in our communities. Schools report much higher absenteeism…
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WCHD Provider Advisory: Secretary of Health Mask order for Healthcare Settings continues
Be Aware The Statewide Face Covering Order issues by the Washington State Secretary of Health will remain in place for health care and long term-care settings as well as correctional facilities after the state of emergency ends Oct 31. Background Order 20-03.9 requires face masks in health care and long-term care settings regardless of the county’s…
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11/1/22 Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters available to children 5 years or older
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunizations, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approved an age expansion for updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. The expansion allows children: 5–11 years old to get 1 booster dose of Pfizer pediatric updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. 6–17 years old to get 1…