Kitsap Provider Resources

Health Advisory: Listeria contamination of restaurant milkshakes in Tacoma

| August 21, 2023

Actions requested Background The Washington State Department of Health announced that from Feb. 27 to July 22, 2023, six Washington residents (five from Pierce County and one from Thurston County) reported severe illness, which was linked to infection with Listeria bacteria (or listeriosis). All infected residents had weakened immune systems. Three residents died. Whole genome sequencing (or … Health Advisory: Listeria contamination of restaurant milkshakes in Tacoma

Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: June 25-July 22

| July 27, 2023

Click here to access weeks 26 through 29 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 5 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,766 cumulative (12% of total tested) since 10/2/2022). RSV activity is currently low, with 0 positive RSV tests in the past four weeks (500 since … Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: June 25-July 22

Washington State Department of Health investigating first case of Candida auris diagnosed locally

| July 20, 2023
Person wearing white lab coat and stethoscope writing on clipboard

ACTIONS REQUESTED BACKGROUND A patient in a Washington healthcare facility with was recently reported to have C. auris. Based on known details, the state Department of Health believe (DOH) believes this case of C. auris was acquired in Washington.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is investigating the case. DOH is also aware of one other unrelated … Washington State Department of Health investigating first case of Candida auris diagnosed locally

Kitsap Public Health Board declares crisis in response to high healthcare costs and inadequate access to services

| July 12, 2023

The resolution commits the Board and Health District to advance a public health approach to addressing costs and barriers to accessing care. KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The Kitsap Public Health Board discussed and unanimously approved resolution on July 11 declaring high healthcare costs and insufficient access to healthcare services in Kitsap County public health crises. … Kitsap Public Health Board declares crisis in response to high healthcare costs and inadequate access to services

Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: May 28 – June 24

| June 30, 2023

Click here to access weeks 22 through 25 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently elevated, with 27 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,760 cumulative (13% of total tested) since 10/2/2022). RSV activity is currently low, with 1 positive RSV test in the past four weeks (499 since … Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: May 28 – June 24

Health advisory: Bicillin® L-A (Benzathine Penicillin G) shortage anticipated through the end of year

| June 16, 2023

Actions requested Background Pfizer pharmaceuticals has reported a shortage of benzathine penicillin (Bicillin® L-A) due to increased demand for the drug related to the growing national and international epidemic of syphilis. Pfizer is the sole supplier of benzathine penicillin in the U.S. Local medical providers have alerted Public Health that they have had trouble securing benzathine penicillin … Health advisory: Bicillin® L-A (Benzathine Penicillin G) shortage anticipated through the end of year

Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: April 30 – May 27

| June 2, 2023

Click here to access weeks 18 through 21 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 11 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,733 cumulative (13% of total tested) since 10/2/2022). RSV activity is currently low, with 3 positive RSV tests in the past four weeks (498 since … Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: April 30 – May 27

Health advisory: Potential risk for new mpox cases; encourage JYNNEOS vaccination

| May 22, 2023

Actions requested Background A global outbreak of mpox began in May 2022. Previous outbreaks in places where mpox is not endemic were mostly related to international travel; however, this outbreak spread rapidly across much of the world through person-to-person contact, disproportionately affecting gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender … Health advisory: Potential risk for new mpox cases; encourage JYNNEOS vaccination

Help us improve our healthcare communications

| May 12, 2023

We need your feedback! We work hard to ensure our communications with Kitsap healthcare providers are accurate, timely, and useful. However, we know there is always room for improvement. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide feedback on our communications and how we can effectively collaborate with our healthcare … Help us improve our healthcare communications

Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: April 2 – April 29

| May 4, 2023

Click here to access weeks 14 through 17 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 11 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,722 cumulative (14% of total tested) since 10/2/2022). RSV activity is currently low, with 3 positive RSV tests in the past week (495 since the … Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: April 2 – April 29