Hepatitis C: A once incurable infection can now be cured with 8 weeks of medication

August 7, 2024.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C (“hep C”) virus. Left untreated, hep C can severely damage the liver, causing illnesses like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The good news is that hep C can be completely cured. We sat down with Amber Casey, HCV Program Manager with Public Health, to learn more.

Controlling an emerging fungal threat: The Partners for Patient Safety program

December 28, 2022.Reading time 12 minutes.

A new program underway in King County is aimed at early identification of a multi-drug resistant fungus called Candida auris or C. auris. The goal of the program is to mitigate the spread of these organisms in healthcare settings including those that serve the most vulnerable.

New Public Health recommendations make a syphilis test routine for women 45 and under

November 28, 2022.Reading time 8 minutes.

Small, clear test tube marked "Syphilis - Test"

There has been a nearly 5-fold increase in syphilis in cisgender women since 2015 (cisgender means one’s gender identity corresponds to one’s sex assigned at birth). All sexually active women 45 and under in Washington state who have not had a syphilis test since January 2021 are being advised to test for syphilis.

As Drowning Deaths Doubled in King County in 2020, Water Safety Is More Important Than Ever

June 24, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

With hot summer days comes an increased desire to cool off in the region’s pools, beaches, rivers, and lakes. But in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic pushed more people towards outdoor activities, King County saw drowning deaths double compared to 2018. Thirty-three people lost their lives in King County waters last year, nearly 70% of which occurred in open water incidents and drowning continues to be the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and teens.

New report released today indicates HIV outbreak in people who inject drugs in King County appears to be over, though population’s vulnerability persists

December 16, 2020.Reading time 4 minutes.

While the decrease in new cases is welcome news, much can still be done to lower risk for HIV transmission and assure that those who are HIV-positive are able to live healthy lives. Early diagnosis is critical to get people on treatment and virally suppressed. In King County, 85% of people with an HIV diagnosis are virally suppressed. People with virally suppressed HIV generally feel well and are unable to spread the virus to others.

Public Health confirms four new COVID-19 cases, bringing overall total to 14; King County to purchase motel, repurpose other properties in fight against COVID-19

March 2, 2020.Reading time 8 minutes.

On Sunday, March 1, Executive Constantine signed a Proclamation of Emergency in response to COVID-19, enabling “extraordinary measures” to fight the outbreak, including waiving some procurement protocols, and authoring overtime for King County employees, among other powers. Executive Constantine immediately ordered the purchase of an area motel to be used to isolate patients in recovery […]

PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Author: Hilary N. Karasz