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12/26/25 Medetomidine Provider Advisory from Jefferson County Public Health
Summary: What is Medetomidine? Similar to xylazine, medetomidine is a synthetic alpha-2 agonist sedative used in veterinary medicine. In human medicine, medetomidine is most similar to dexmedetomidine (Precedex®) and clonidine. Overdoses involving medetomidine are associated with prolonged sedation that requires adapting overdose response protocols to prioritize breathing over responsiveness. Medetomidine can produce a severe withdrawal…
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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…
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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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11/23/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric Respiratory Illness Increasing
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Influenza, Influenza UpdateHealth Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington Published Nov. 23, 2022. Situation update Information for healthcare providers Nurse advice lines Apple Health Plans Amerigroup (AMG) (866) 864-2544 Community Health Plan (CHPW) (866) 418-2920 Coordinated Care (CCW) (877) 644-4613 Molina Healthcare (MHC) (888) 275-8750 United Healthcare (UHC) (877) 543-3409 Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise…
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Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness
CDC Urges Clinicians to Report Cases of Unexplained Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness Multiple cases of severe pulmonary disease in patients who use vape products have occurred in Wisconsin and Illinois. Requested actions Ask patients who present with respiratory or pulmonary illness if they vape THC or e-juice. Determine what kind of THC or e-juice they’ve vaped,…
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Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
Overview Transmission: Fecal-oral. Incubation Period: Average 28-30 days (range 15-50 days). Symptoms: Anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, followed by jaundice. Severity of illness increases with age. Infectious Period: 14 days prior to onset of jaundice to seven days after onset of jaundice. Infants can excrete virus in the stool for longer periods of time. Epidemiology:…
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“What is Public Health?” from American Public Health Association
Learn why public health is essential in American Public Health Association’s “What Is Public Health?” article. Read Fact Sheet →
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Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings
What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How…