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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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Health Advisory: FDA authorized new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine formulation
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunization, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, VaccineActions requested BE AWARE that on Oct. 3, 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized for emergency use a new adjuvanted (2023–2024) formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for people 12 years or older. BE AWARE that the FDA deauthorized the original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. BE AWARE that the new adjuvanted (2023–2204) formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: Oct. 1 to Oct. 7
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Influenza, Influenza Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick here to access week 40 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 2 positive influenza tests in the past week (2 cumulative (1.1% of total tested) since 10/1/2023). RSV activity is currently low, with 1 positive RSV test in the past week (1 since the start of the…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: Aug. 20 to Sept. 16
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick here to access weeks 34 through 37 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 5 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,777 cumulative (12% of total tested) since 10/2/2022). RSV activity is currently low, with 1 positive RSV test in the past four weeks (501 since…
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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, Immunization, Immunizations, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, VaccineActions requested BE AWARE that on Sept. 11, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and/or authorized for emergency use new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. Then, on Sept. 12, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone 6 months or older get a new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccine.…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: July 23-Aug. 19
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick here to access weeks 30 through 33 of the Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report. Summary: Local influenza activity is currently low, with 6 positive influenza tests in the past four weeks (1,772 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…
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Health Advisory: Listeria contamination of restaurant milkshakes in Tacoma
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, News and Update, Provider ResourcesActions 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…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: June 25-July 22
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick 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…
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Washington State Department of Health investigating first case of Candida auris diagnosed locally
Advisory or Update, Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Provider ResourcesACTIONS 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…
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Kitsap Public Health Board declares crisis in response to high healthcare costs and inadequate access to services
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.…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: May 28 – June 24
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, News and Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick 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…
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Health advisory: Bicillin® L-A (Benzathine Penicillin G) shortage anticipated through the end of year
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Immunization, Immunizations, Infection Control, PreventionActions 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…
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Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report: April 30 – May 27
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease Data Report, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Infection Control, Influenza, Influenza Update, Provider Resources, Respiratory Illness Report, Respiratory Illness ReportClick 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…