Communicable Disease Updates

CD Updates are provided to health care providers and other reporting partners by the Thurston County Health Officer. Contact information is provided in each update. This webpage was developed for health care professionals and others who take action each day to protect the public's health. It is not intended to provide guidance for the general public. Communicable Disease Updates from the Department's Disease Control & Prevention (DCP) division are emailed to local health care providers on a range of topics. Updates are typically urgent and occur on an as-needed basis.

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female doctor using digital tablet, close up on hands

2024

11/06/2024	Pertussis Cases Continue to Increase in Washington State
10/23/2024	Avian Influenza Update - Washington State
10/16/2024	Oropouche virus in South America and the Caribbean – Be alert for imported cases.
10/08/2024	Acute Flaccid Myelitis CD Update
09/30/2024	(1) Pertussis (2) Influenza Report and (3) Updated CDC Mpox Guidance for Travelers to Countries where Transmission of Clade I Mpox is Occurring
09/09/2024	(1) Expedited Partner Therapy (2) Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers, (3) Avian Influenza Update
08/20/2024	Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the United States
08/09/2024	(1) Doxycycline Postexposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial STIs; (2) Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Spread to Neighboring Countries; (3) HHS/ASPR Clinical Readiness Rounds on Blood Culture Vial Shortage on August 13, 2024
07/31/2024	Candida Auris CD Update C. auris toolkit & screening for skilled nursing facilities C. auris toolkit & screening for acute care and long-term acute care hospitals
07/25/2025	Disruptions in Availability of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC Blood Culture Bottles
07/11/2024	Provider Alert: Assess patients with influenza-like illness for animal exposures this summer
07/02/2024	Increasing Cases of Candida auris in Washington
06/26/2024	HIV Case Management and Increased Dengue in US
05/31/2024	Potential Exposure to Measles from Traveler at Airport
05/24/2024	CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak & Call for Cases: Mycobacterium abscessus Infections Connected to Use of the Product “Mesofrance” Purchased via social media
05/21/2024	Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
05/14/2024	Increase in Pertussis cases in Several Washington Jurisdictions
04/29/2024	Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections
04/12/2024	Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection Reported in a Person in the U.S.
04/11/2024	Call for Cases: Multistate Cluster of Burkholderia multivorans
04/08/2024	Guidance for Potential Measles Exposures in Medical Facilities Measles Contact Tracing Form Guidance for Potential Measles Exposures in School and Childcare Facilities Measles Contact Tracing Form Schools Susceptible List (WA DOH)
04/02/2024	Candida auris CD Update C. auris toolkit & screening for skilled nursing facilities C. auris toolkit & screening for acute care and long-term acute care hospitals
04/01/2024	Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States
03/28/2024	Global Increase in Dengue Cases; Be Alert for Cases in WA
03/25/2024	Updated Viral Respiratory Illness Guidance (COVID-19)
02/23/2024	Confirmed Measles Case in Spokane County
02/12/2024	2023 Trends for Syphilis, Gonorrhea, & Chlamydia (TC)
02/08/2024	Health Advisory regarding Hepatitis C
01/31/2024	Health Advisory regarding Candida auris reported in Washington
01/11/2024	Confirmed Measles Cases in Clark and Wahkiakum Counties

2023

12/27/2023	Mpox Updates for Clinicians
12/18/2023	Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Immunizations
12/11/2023	Severe and Fatal Confirmed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) among People with Recent Travel to Tecate, Mexico
12/07/2023	Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus with Geographic Spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
11/30/2023	Provider Advisory: Tuberculosis testing for people who were previously incarcerated.
11/21/2023	Communicable Disease Update Conjunctivitis
10/25/2023	Interim CDC Recommendations to Protect Infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during the 2023–2024 Respiratory Virus Season
10/09/2023	Update on Xylazine, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, Vibrio vulnificus, and West Nile Virus
07/19/2023	Health Advisory Regarding Candida auris Reported in Washington (WA DOH)
06/29/2023	Identified Locally Acquired Malaria Cases in Florida and Texas
06/22/2023	Measles Guidance for Summer 2023
06/02/2023	Salmonella Outbreak Backyard Poultry, Gastroenteritis, Fungal Meningitis
05/23/2023	Measles Case Identified in King County - CD Update Provider Measles Checklist
05/18/2023	Fungal Meningitis
05/17/2023	Cutaneous Diphtheria
04/14/2023	Marburg Virus Disease Outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania
03/20/2023	Recall of Frozen Organic Strawberries and Organic Tropical Fruit Blend due to Hepatitis A risk to consumers
03/06/2023	Measles, Chikungunya, & Drug Resistant Shigella
02/06/2023	Updated Artificial Tear Associated with Outbreak - Pseudomonas Eye Drops
02/02/2023	Updated CDC Recommendations Pseudomonas Eye Drops
02/01/2023	Pseudomonas Eye Drops
01/25/2023	Measles Communicable Disease Update Measles Provider Checklist

2022

12/19/2022	Candida Auris
12/15/2022	Influenza Update
11/10/2022	Increased Respiratory Virus Activity, Dental Waterlines, & Ebola Virus Disease
10/19/2022	Ebola Virus Activity Update
10/05/2022	Acute Flaccid Myelit and Monkeypox
08/16/2022	Monkeypox
08/03/2022	Monkeypox
07/22/2022	Information regarding Monkeypox Recognition, Reporting, and Treatment
05/18/2022	Updated Recommendations for Adenovirus Testing and Reporting of Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology
05/05/2022	Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus
04/22/2022	Recommendations for Adenovirus Testing and Reporting of Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology
03/30/2022	Perinatal Hepatitis B Update
02/23/2022	Gastrointestinal illness, Measles and FDA recall of infant formula
02/01/2022	Update to Quarantine and Isolation Guidance for COVID-19

2021

12/02/2021	New SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Identified: Omicron (B.1.529) Variant
10/22/2021	Updated Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Guidance for Outbreaks and New Admissions
08/26/2021	Updated Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Guidance and New Phone Number for COVID-19 Support for Long-Term Care Facilities
07/23/2021	COVID-19 Testing, Isolation, and Quarantine Updates & Tuberculosis Testing Updates
07/02/2021	SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing: Variants of Concern and other Emerging Variants
05/25/2021	Myocarditis or Pericarditis after COVID-19 Vaccination
04/13/2021	Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
03/02/2021	Reactions to the Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic
02/05/2021	Increase of Overdose Deaths in Washington State
02/03/2021	Increase in Syphilis Cases among Heterosexuals experiencing Houselessness & Identification of Congenital Syphilis in King County and Washington State

2020

12/09/2020	COVID-19 Vaccine Update, Enrollment Information, and Safety Webinar
11/10/2020	CDC/Retail Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program - On-site COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment
09/03/2020	Pediatrics Guidance for Children Returning to School/Day with COVID-19 Symptoms & New Childhood Immunization Requirements during the Pandemic
08/10/2020	Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)- Emergency Rule (WAC 246-101-017) designates COVID-19 as Notifiable Condition and Additional Information Required for Reporting
07/14/2020	COVID-19 Testing Recommendations and Laboratory Resources to help with Extended Testing Times Experienced through some Commercial Labs
07/08/2020	Updated COVID-19 Testing Recommendations - a Fond Farewell to Dr. Diana Yu and a Warm Welcome to Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek
05/13/2020	Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Children
05/06/2020	COVID-19 Testing Guidance, Letter from Secretary Wiesman, and a Survey Request for SARS CoV2 Testing
04/22/2020	COVID-19 Testing Guidance Update
03/13/2020	COVID-19 Update and Information from Medic One: COVID-19 Update #12
03/12/2020	COVID -19 Prevention for the Long- term Care Setting Webinar, March 13, 2020: COVID-19 Update #11
03/11/2020	First Case of COVID-19 in a Thurston County Resident Reported Today: COVID-19 Update #10
03/10/2020	COVID-19 Testing and Reporting Information for Healthcare Providers Including Droplet and Contact Precautions: COVID-19 Update #9
03/10/2020	Long Term Care Facilities and COVID-19: COVID-19 Update #8
03/03/2020	COVID -19 Prevention for the Long- term Care Setting Webinar, March 5, 2020
03/03/2020	COVID-19 Respiratory Infection
02/21/2020	New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webinar February 25, 2020 3-4 PM, for School District Leaders and Health Services Supervisors, Co-sponsored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Washington State Department of Health
02/11/2020	Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (VALI) and Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Respiratory Infection Webinar 2-14-2020 for Healthcare, Public Health and EMS Partners
02/07/2020	Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Respiratory Infection
01/31/2020	Management of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Outpatient Settings ï¿½ Webinar, Monday, February 3,2020, 2:00 PM PST
01/23/2020	Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Respiratory Infection - Wuhan City, China and Snohomish County
01/15/2020	Hepatitis A Virus Outbreaks Continue among Persons Experiencing Homelessness and Persons who Use Drugs
01/07/2020	Influenza Masking of Unvaccinated Staff - Antiviral Treatment

2024

09/23/2024	Public Health Advisory: Children’s Jewelry Sets Recalled Due to Risk of Lead and Cadmium Poisoning Product Photos
09/16/2024	Public Health Advisory: Red Toolbox Recalls Stanley-Branded Jr. Kids Garden Set Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard Garden Set Product Photos
06/14/2024	Public Health Advisory: Disrupted Access to Prescription Stimulant Medications & Severe Illness Potentially Associated with Consuming Diamond Shruumz ™ Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies
04/04/2024	Public Health Advisory: Shiga Toxin producing E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Product Photos & distribution locations Raw Milk is Risky Flyer

2023

12/11/2023	Recall Alert: Saline and Sterile Water Medical Products
11/14/2023	Public Health Advisory - High Blood Lead Levels in Children Consuming Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches Product Photos
08/18/2023	Public Health Advisory - Outbreak of Foodborne Listeriosis Associated with Consumption of restaurant milkshakes (WA DOH)
07/21/2023	Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services investigate 5 cases of the foodborne illness listeriosis in Western Washington (WADOH).

2023

04/04/2023	Letter to Healthcare Providers - Updated COVID-19 Guidance, from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek
03/29/2023	Letter to Healthcare Providers regarding end of masking mandate, from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek

2021

08/30/2021	Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19
08/06/2021	Provider Alert - Burkholderia cepacia Complex (Bcc) Infections Associated with Contaminated Ultrasound Gel
07/23/2021	Provider Alert - Unaddressed Behavior Health Conditions for Healthcare and Public Health Workforce
07/01/2021	Provider Alert - July 4th Celebrations and Other Summertime Gatherings during COVID-19
01/05/2021	Provider Alert - Increased Concern of Suicide Risk in Youth during COVID-19

2020

12/03/2020	Adult Family Home Point in Time Testing Guidance for COVID-19
10/29/2020	Long-Term Care Facility High Transmission Guidance for COVID-19
05/30/2020	Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Outbreaks
04/15/2020	COVID-19 Guidance for Deaths Occurring Outside of a Health Care Setting
04/15/2020	COVID-19 Reporting COVID-19 Cases, Update for Health Care Providers and Facilities
04/09/2020	COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
4/03/2020	COVID-19 Long Term Care Facility Update
03/31/2020	COVID-19 Update
03/24/2020	Urgent Guidance for Referring Individuals for COVID-19 Testing Through Providence Drive Thru Test Sites
03/24/2020	COVID-19 Testing, PPE, and Isolation and Quarantine
03/20/2020	COVID-19 and Child Care Providers and Facilities
03/20/2020	COVID-19 and Dental Providers
03/18/2020	COVID-19 Reporting: Clarification on Mandated Reporting Requirements for Suspect and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
03/16/2020	COVID-19 Reporting

2019

12/20/2019	Water Quality Testing and Lead - North Thurston Public Schools
11/27/2019	Dr Rachel Wood is Retiring as Thurston County Health Officer
11/25/2019	Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and Budd Inlet Shellfish Closure/Update on E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use Associated Lung Injury
09/26/2019	Outbreak of Severe Lung Disease Associated with E-Cigarettes or Vaping
08/23/2019	Unexplained Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness
08/05/2019	No Cost MMR Vaccine Now Available for Uninsured Child Care Workers and Volunteers of Licensed Child Care Centers
08/01/2019	Hepatitis A Outbreak in Washington State
06/20/2019	Mumps in Washington
06/05/2019	Measles and Vaccine Hesitancy
06/05/2019	Public and Private Schools and Licensed Child Care Facilities - New Immunization Law Impacting Effective July 28, 2019
05/20/2019	MMR Vaccine For Infants Below the Age of 12 Months Due to the Measles Outbreak Is Not Recommended
04/29/2019	Increase in newly-diagnosed HIV infections among heterosexuals who inject drugs in King County
04/23/2019	Influenza-related Masking No Longer Recommended and 2) Locally-acquired Acute Hepatitis A in a Person Living Homeless in Seattle
04/11/2019	Hepatitis A Virus Outbreaks Continue among the Homeless and Persons who use Drugs
03/14/2019	Recommendations for influenza and group A Streptococcus rapid testing when evaluating possible measles cases
02/15/2019	Measles Outbreak in Clark County, WA
02/13/2019	Measles Outbreak in Clark County, WA
01/23/2019	Measles Outbreak in Clark County, WA
01/23/2019	School and Child Care Update: Measles Outbreak in Clark County
01/16/2019	Confirmed measles cases in Clark County
01/15/2019	Local cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
01/07/2019	INFLUENZA Masking of Unvaccinated Staff & Antiviral Treatment

Report an Outbreak or Cluster

Facilities and Providers please report immediately notifiable conditions and confirmed or suspected outbreaks to 360-867-2610 during business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm excluding holidays). 24-hour notifiable conditions can be reported by phone to our main Public Health Communicable Disease line at 360-786-5470during business hours. Leave a message on the answering machine and you will receive a call back. The final opportunity for individuals to leave a message is 5 p.m. on Friday and the open business day preceding any holidays. To report an immediately notifiable condition or 24 hour notifiable condition after hours please call 1-800-986-9050.

For technical assistance or urgent questions please call the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Communicable Disease Information Line (Monday-Friday) 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at 360-867-2610. If no one is available with Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and the condition is immediately notifiable or public health emergency, please call 1-877-539-4344.

Voicemail for reporting non-immediately reportable conditions (24-hours a day)	Phone: 360-786-5470 Fax: 360-867-2601
Secure Confidential eFax
Immediately and 24-hour reportable conditions or a public health emergency (During business hours Monday - Friday 8am-5pm)	Call 360-867-2610 Secure eFax: 1-833-418-1916
Immediately and 24-hour reportable conditions or a public health emergency (After business hours)	Call 1-800-986-9050
If no one is available and condition is immediately notifiable.	Call 1-877-539-4344

Contact our Disease Control and Prevention division at 360-867-2610 or email PHSS_DCP_CDTeam@Thurstoncounty.onmicrosoft.com if you have additional questions.

Thurston County, Washington

Public Health and Social Services

Communicable Disease Updates

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2024

2023

2023

2021

2020

2019

Report an Outbreak or Cluster