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Provider Alert: Updated Guidance for Influenza Testing and Subtyping
Situation Summary Emergency Department visits for influenza are currently rising in Washington, indicating an early start to the 2026-2027 influenza season. Be alert for patients with seasonal as well as novel influenza viruses such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories…
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02/08/24 Health Advisory: RSV Prevention Updates
Summary Background On Oct. 23, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert about the limited supply of nirsevimab. CDC recommended healthcare providers prioritize nirsevimab for infants born later in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season or for those at increased risk for severe illness. On Jan. 5, 2024, CDC issued updated guidance about the increased…
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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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12/13/23 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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12/06/23 Health Advisory: Test perinatally exposed children for hepatitis C.
Action requested Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you test children born to people with: Test children for HCV RNA at 2–6 months old, up to 17 months old. Give untested children older than 18 months an HCV antibody test with reflex to HCV RNA. Report hepatitis C cases in pregnant people and the…
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11/21/23 Health Advisory: Nirsevimab supplies are short.
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Provider Resources, VaccineNirsevimab (Beyfortus) RSV preventive antibodies for infants is in short supply. Encourage Abrysvo vaccine for pregnant people to protect babies from RSV. Washington will receive 7,700 50 mg and 600 100 mg nirsevimab doses for the remainder of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Alert that…
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10/16/23 Health Advisory: FDA Authorized New Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Formulation
Advisory or Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunizations, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesThe new adjuvanted (2023–2204) formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people 12 years or older as follows: Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine availability may be limited and vary by location. Help patients understand this situation and thank them for their patience. Resources Questions?
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09/28/23 Health Advisory: 2023–2024 Respiratory Illness Season
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Influenza, News and Alerts, Provider ResourcesThis 2023–2024 respiratory illness season, we’re monitoring 3 common causes of respiratory illness that circulate in Pierce County: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Influenza Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States last flu season (2022–2023) caused: Those at highest risk for severe illness include: Guidelines RSV RSV…
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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. On Sept. 12, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone 6 months or older get new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccine. The federal government will no longer provide COVID-19 vaccine.…
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07/06/23 Health Advisory: Syphilis Treatment Impacted by Bicillin L-A Shortage
Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A) is in short supply due to increased demand. Syphilis is increasing in all groups, especially in heterosexual people. Reserve Bicillin L-A for pregnant people with or exposed to syphilis, or babies with congenital syphilis. Read on for syphilis: Treatment. Testing with reverse algorithm. Reserve Bicillin L-A for pregnant people. Reserve…
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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:…