Provider Resources WA

7/30/25 Provider Alert: Chagas Disease Screening Recommendations in Washington  

| July 30, 2025

Summary: Screen patients for Chagas disease if they have a history of residence in or prolonged travel to Mexico, Central, or South America. Chagas disease is a vector-borne parasitic disease which, if left untreated, can lead to chronic cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and/or congenital Chagas disease in infants. Current Situation The Washington State … 7/30/25 Provider Alert: Chagas Disease Screening Recommendations in Washington  

07/24/25 Health Advisory: Pfizer recall of Benzathine Penicillin G injectable suspension (Bicillin LA)

| July 24, 2025

Summary: Check your Bicillin LA and save remaining supply to treat pregnant people and infants with syphilis. Pfizer voluntarily recalled 12 lots of Benzathine Penicillin G Injectable Suspension (Bicillin LA) after particulates were found during a visual inspection. The recall comes amid high syphilis diagnoses across the U.S. Penicillin is the only recommended treatment for pregnant people … 07/24/25 Health Advisory: Pfizer recall of Benzathine Penicillin G injectable suspension (Bicillin LA)

07/17/25: High Temperatures coming to Washington

| July 17, 2025
Sun with red thermometer

OLYMPIA – The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerously high temperatures across parts of Washington this week. Heat advisories are issued for several counties statewide for much of the week, with dangerously high temperatures both during the day and overnight and close to 100 degree highs expected Wednesday in some areas. The National Weather Service is High heat can … 07/17/25: High Temperatures coming to Washington

07/01/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases

| July 1, 2025

Summary: Upgrade screening and preparation for Candida auris. Two facilities in Seattle have known transmission of Candida auris (C. auris). We have limited information about how much transmission is occurring in Washington. We recommend that you: Early screening is critical for rapid identification so you can quickly implement infection control measures and prevent spread at your facility.  Background As of … 07/01/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases

03/10/25 Health Advisory: Report any serious adverse events after ceftriaxone administration

| March 10, 2025
IV bags hanging from an IV pole.

Summary On Feb. 7, 2025, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a call for cases related to about 10 severe adverse events that closely followed ceftriaxone injection or infusion. The events began Sept. 1, 2024. No single product type or lot number is tied to these severe events. While there is no confirmed … 03/10/25 Health Advisory: Report any serious adverse events after ceftriaxone administration

Provider Alert: Subtyping of Influenza A is Recommended for Hospitalized Patients

| February 3, 2025

This is a Provider Alert from the Washington State Department of Health and . On January 16, 2025 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory recommending influenza A testing for all hospitalized patients with suspected influenza, and also recommending expedited subtyping for influenza A-positive specimens. Providers and clinical laboratories in … Provider Alert: Subtyping of Influenza A is Recommended for Hospitalized Patients

10/23/24 Health Advisory: Presumed positive human cases of avian influenza in Washington.

| October 23, 2024

Washington State Department of Health is investigating presumed positive human cases of avian influenza in Washington. Healthcare providers should consider avian influenza in patients who present with acute respiratory illness, isolated conjunctivitis, or influenza-like illness (ILI). Assess patients for exposure to animals––especially poultry, cattle, and wildlife, or to people suspected or known to be infected.  Current … 10/23/24 Health Advisory: Presumed positive human cases of avian influenza in Washington.

10/17/24 Health Advisory: Disruptions in Availability of Peritoneal Dialysis and Intravenous Solutions from Baxter International Facility in North Carolina

| October 17, 2024
IV bags hanging from an IV pole.

BackgroundOver several days in late September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to the southeastern United States. The storm affected the Baxter International’s North Cove facility in North Carolina, the largest manufacturer of peritoneal dialysis and intravenous solutions in the United States, halting production. Additional supply disruption may occur in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Recommendations for Healthcare … 10/17/24 Health Advisory: Disruptions in Availability of Peritoneal Dialysis and Intravenous Solutions from Baxter International Facility in North Carolina

09/23/24 Health Advisory: 2024–2025 Respiratory Illness Season Vaccine Recommendations

| September 23, 2024
Gloved hand squeeze bicep while giving a shot.

Summary COVID-19 vaccine recommendations For most people, the minimum interval between their last 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose and their 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose is 8 weeks. There are exceptions for people completing a multidose initial vaccination series, including: Learn more in CDC’s detailed vaccination schedules for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and people who are … 09/23/24 Health Advisory: 2024–2025 Respiratory Illness Season Vaccine Recommendations

08/05/24 Provider Alert: Ongoing transmission of Candida auris identified in Washington.

| August 5, 2024

Background C. auris is an emerging, often multi-drug resistant yeast, that was first identified in the US in 2009. The first locally acquired case of C. auris in Washington was reported in 2023, and the first outbreak was  reported in January 2024. It can cause difficult to control outbreaks in high acuity facilities, especially among … 08/05/24 Provider Alert: Ongoing transmission of Candida auris identified in Washington.