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12/10/24 Provider Alert: Pertussis Cases Continue to Increase in Washington State
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Pertussis, Uncategorized, VaccineThis is a Provider Alert from Jefferson County Public Health regarding an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. Healthcare providers should: This is an update to the Provider Alert sent in May 2024. Current Pertussis Situation in Washington There has been a total of 1,533 confirmed and probable cases of pertussis reported statewide during 2024…
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10/31/24 Health Advisory: Positive human cases of avian influenza in Washington.
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesWashington State Department of Health is investigating presumed positive human cases of avian influenza in Washington. Healthcare providers should consider avian influenza in patients who present with acute respiratory illness, isolated conjunctivitis, or influenza-like illness (ILI). Assess patients for exposure to animals––especially poultry, cattle, and wildlife, or to people suspected or known to be infected. Current…
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10/17/24 Health Advisory: Disruptions in Availability of Peritoneal Dialysis and Intravenous Solutions from Baxter International Facility in North Carolina
BackgroundOver several days in late September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to the southeastern United States. The storm affected the Baxter International’s North Cove facility in North Carolina, the largest manufacturer of peritoneal dialysis and intravenous solutions in the United States, halting production. Additional supply disruption may occur in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Recommendations for Healthcare…
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09/23/24 Health Advisory: 2024–2025 Respiratory Illness Season Vaccine Recommendations
Summary COVID-19 vaccine recommendations For most people, the minimum interval between their last 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose and their 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose is 8 weeks. There are exceptions for people completing a multidose initial vaccination series, including: Learn more in CDC’s detailed vaccination schedules for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and people who are…
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09/13/24 Provider Alert: Syphilis Increase on the Olympic Peninsula
Current Situation: In 2022, there were a total of 4,416 cases of confirmed syphilis in Washington state. This number continues to rise statewide, doubling or tripling every year since 2020. There has been a corresponding increase in our region. What Does Syphilis Look Like? Syphilis occurs in several different stages. These are: In addition, there…
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08/01/24 Provider Alert: Ongoing transmission of Candida auris identified in Washington.
Background C. auris is an emerging, often multi-drug resistant yeast, that was first identified in the US in 2009. The first locally acquired case of C. auris in Washington was reported in 2023, and the first outbreak was reported in January 2024. It can cause difficult to control outbreaks in high acuity facilities, especially among…
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07/19/24 Summer Rabies Provider Alert and Resources
With the summer months upon us and an uptick in animal bites in the community, Jefferson County Public Health would like to share some up-to-date information on rabies. When determining the risk of rabies in your patient, the number one factor to consider is the type of animal the patient was exposed to. Bats are…
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7/17/2024 Provider Alert: Assess patients with influenza-like illness for animal exposures this summer
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, Provider ResourcesCurrent Situation An ongoing global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds, with transmission to poultry and certain mammals, including dairy cattle, has resulted in four confirmed cases of HPAI in humans in the United States in 2024. To date, there have been no human cases of HPAI confirmed in Washington; however,…
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04/30/24 Health Advisory: Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease Increasing in the United States
Summary Invasive serogroup Y meningococcal disease cases are on the rise in the United States. Cases are disproportionately occurring in people who are: 30–60 years old. Black or African American. Living with HIV. Washington has not seen an increase in cases. Patients with invasive meningococcal disease may have bloodstream infection or septic arthritis, without typical meningitis symptoms…
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03/27/2024 Health Advisory: Measles Increasing in Washington, the Nation, and the World
Summary Background Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to severe health complications, like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in unvaccinated people. Measles outbreaks have occurred in Washington, the United States, and around the world in 2024. Outbreaks often start when an unvaccinated or under-vaccinated person is exposed during international travel and…
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01/19/24 Health Advisory: Measles Outbreak in Southwest Washington
An active measles outbreak investigation is underway in Clark and Wahkiakum Counties. As of Jan. 10, 2024, investigators have identified 3 lab-confirmed and 3 epidemiologically linked measles cases in unvaccinated adults. Symptoms began in mid-to-late December. All report isolating at home during their contagious period. Investigators have not identified any public exposure locations. Healthcare providers…
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12/15/23 Health Advisory: Test for tuberculosis people who were incarcerated
A large outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in the state prison system may affect more than 800 people who were incarcerated. Requested actions Ask patients about risk factors for TB exposure: Test people with risk factors unless they have a known history of TB infection or TB disease. Evaluate people who test positive to rule out…
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09/20/23 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 ResourcesOn Sept. 11, 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized for emergency use new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. FDA 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…