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Health Advisory: Increased lead screening needed in Kitsap
Ground cinnamon alert highlights new risks for lead exposure. ACTIONS REQUESTED ADVISE PATIENTS TO: CONSIDER TESTING children for lead exposure from these and other sources. If you believe one of your patients is at high risk for lead exposure, a venous blood draw is the most accurate form of specimen collection. LEAD TEST REPORTING AND CASE MANAGEMENT: CONTACTING…
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COVID-19: Letter from Kitsap Health Officer
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, ImmunizationsClick here to view the letter from Kitsap’s Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow: Health Officer Letter to Providers
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Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine Update – Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Actions Requested Assess COVID-19 vaccination status at all clinic visits. Discuss COVID-19 vaccine with patients at clinic visits. When talking to people about vaccines: DO: Seek to understand concerns and questions. Acknowledge concerns and mistrust. Correct misinformation. Share personal stories and why you care about the vaccine. Make a clear recommendation to get vaccinated. Tailor…
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Health Advisory: Change in Regimen for Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infections
Actions Requested Be aware of the updated treatment regimen for Gonococcal Infection from the Washington State Department of Health (link below) Treat uncomplicated gonococcal infection with a single intramuscular (IM) dose of 500 mg ceftriaxone. If chlamydia has not been ruled out, treat additionally with doxycycline, 100 mg twice daily for seven (7) days. If…
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Health Advisory: Immediate Pause on the use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine: Rare but Serious Health Events Under Investigation
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, ImmunizationsActions Requested DO NOT ADMINISTER Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine until further notice. Continue storing your J&J vaccine appropriately. Do not dispose of it. Maintain a high index of suspicion for symptoms that might represent rare, but serious thrombotic events or thrombocytopenia in patients who have recently received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. Symptoms can include severe headache,…
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Health Advisory: SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing – Information for clinicians and healthcare facilities
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Provider ResourcesActions Requested Review recently updated CDC guidance on SARS-CoV-2 variants (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html). Consider submitting lab specimens that meet the Washington State Department of Health’s case categories listed below. Contact Kitsap Public Health at (360) 728-2235 to coordinate submission of a specimen sequencing. The following specimen types can be submitted for sequencing: (a) RNA extract (preferred); (b) nasal swab,…
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Health Advisory: Ongoing COVID-19 Vaccination at Long Term Care Facilities
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, ImmunizationsOngoing COVID-19 Vaccination at Long Term Care Facilities Actions Requested by Washington State Department of Health Coordinate planning for ongoing vaccination COVID-19 needs with the pharmacy that currently provides your long term care facility with medications if they are already enrolled as a COVID vaccine provider. Work with the pharmacy to set up appointments for…
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Health Advisory: Free BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Cards Available
Actions Requested Contact KPHD to obtain BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid antigen cards for use at your facility. Contact Anna Gonzalez at anna.gonzalez@kitsappublichealth.org or (360) 633-9693. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Expiration dates for the tests available are 4/8/2021, 4/13/2021, and 5/2/2021. Utilize BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid antigen cards according to manufacturer instructions and in accordance…
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Health Advisory: Increased Concern of Drug Overdose
Please review the linked provider alert from the Washington State Department of Health regarding increased concern of drug overdose. General Resources Washington State Department of Health – Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/DrugUserHealth/OverdoseandNaloxone University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) – Heroin and fentanyl in Washington State https://adai.washington.edu/WAdata/heroin_versus_fentanyl.htm Substance Abuse and Mental Health…
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Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities and Updates
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, ImmunizationsActions Requested Get vaccinated and inform your Phase 1a eligible employees and colleagues about existing vaccination opportunities. Click on the links below for vaccination opportunities happening in the next few days. Note that appointments are required. Bainbridge Island: covidbi.timetap.com Silverdale: htps://calendly.com/achieve-vaccine/covid-vaccination-clinic Silverdale: chifranciscan.org/vaccineinfo Enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider. To start this process, complete the…
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Tdap and Pregnancy Information for Providers
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Alert, Immunization, Notifiable Conditions, Pertussis, Provider ResourcesPertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every 3–5 years. Even though we have a vaccine, pertussis is a common infectious disease. There are 10,000–40,000 cases per year and 10–20 deaths.1 In 2013, there were more than 28,000 cases in the United States. Pertussis is most serious in…
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West Nile Virus
Background and Epidemiology WNV infection first became a public health problem in the United States in the late 1990s. WNV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever and St. Louis encephalitis. In rare situations, blood transfusion, organ transplant, transplacental, breastfeeding and percutaneous injury of laboratory workers can transmit the…
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Pertussis Fact Sheet
To report a confirmed or suspect case of pertussis, complete the or call . Overview Pertussis is common and very contagious. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria infect cilia in the upper respiratory tract. Early symptoms are mild, like the common cold. Patients often experience violent coughing fits (paroxysms). These can be followed by…