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Washington confirms measles outbreak
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a measles outbreak in Snohomish County—the first in the state since 2023. Three unvaccinated children ages 23 months to 9 years tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Additionally, one person in Kittitas county tested positive. The outbreak comes as measles cases are rising across the United States,…
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Washington state expands same-day support for opioid use disorder
Telebupe Hotline brings rapid, low-barrier care to people statewide Summary Background People across Washington now have an easier way to get help for opioid use disorder. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with the University of Washington (UW) to expand the Washington Telebuprenorphine (Telebupe) Hotline statewide. Washington residents can now access same-day medical treatment via phone or video no matter where they live in the state by…
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The West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
Summary The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) continues to recommend the American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Background On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorandum to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely…
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West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns
WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent. The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for…
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11/24/25 Health News: Statement Regarding Vaccines and Autism
On November 21 the Department of Health and the West Coast Health Alliance issued statements regarding vaccines and autism. In short, vaccines are thoroughly tested and remain one of the most important tools we have for preventing infectious diseases. They represent one of the greatest public health achievements in history, having saved millions of lives…
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11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington
Current Situation On November 13, 2025, a Washington resident who has been hospitalized with respiratory illness symptoms since early November tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5 influenza virus. To our knowledge, this is the first known human case of H5N5. The…
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11/13/25: Health Alert: Infant Botulism Associated with ByHeart Infant Formula
Summary Actions Requested Background Infant botulism is a rare illness where spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria colonize and grow in an infant’s large intestine. These bacteria release a neurotoxin that causes symptoms like constipation, weakness (especially in sucking, crying, and swallowing), and loss of muscle tone. If untreated, the condition can lead to paralysis, trouble…
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09/19/25 News Alert: DOH and Health Partners Emphasize the Need for Equitable Access and Evidence-Based Vaccine Policy
Summary: The West Coast Health Alliance affirms the long-standing recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), supporting parental choice in whether their child receives the combined MMRV vaccine or separate MMR and varicella vaccines for the first dose in children under four years of age. DOH and Health Partners Emphasize the Need for Equitable Access and…
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09/15/25 Health Advisory: 2025–2026 respiratory-illness season vaccine recommendations
Summary Influenza COVID-19 RSV Co-administration of COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines is safe. Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent severe disease and hospitalization. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) support evidence-based recommendations from trusted national medical specialty societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy…
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08/06/25 Health Advisory: Possible case of locally acquired malaria in Pierce County
Summary: Though the risk remains low, be vigilant for possible cases of malaria and act urgently to diagnose and treat. An East Pierce County woman who has not traveled recently was diagnosed with malaria Aug. 2. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is working with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and…
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7/30/25 Provider Alert: Chagas Disease Screening Recommendations in Washington
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…
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07/24/25 Health Advisory: Pfizer recall of Benzathine Penicillin G injectable suspension (Bicillin LA)
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…
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07/17/25: High Temperatures coming to Washington
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…