Join the conversation about lead and toxics in our community

October 20, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

October is Children’s Environmental Health Month! Oh, you didn’t know? This month may be better known for ghouls and goblins, but our Lead and Toxics Team has put together a series of blog posts that are sure to give you goosebumps. We’ve spent the last couple of weeks discussing lead and toxics, and why testing […]

Gone but not forgotten – 2017

October 12, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office will lay to rest the remains of individuals who did not have the means or the family to provide a proper burial. The ceremony will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Renton. King County is required to process and bury these […]

How protecting your dog’s health also protects yours

September 15, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

At Public Health, we usually leave dog-related health issues to our friends in the veterinary community, but when furry companions start getting people sick, our ears perk up. Our epidemiologists and veterinarians specialize in zoonotic diseases – diseases caused by germs that can be spread from animals to humans. We want your pup to be […]

Public Health investigates rare infection linked to fish in supermarket tanks

July 25, 2017.Reading time less than 1 minute.

After a King County man was diagnosed with a rare and sometimes fatal bacterial infection, Vibrio vulnificus, public health officials are investigating the possibility that the bacteria came from fish purchased locally. Public Health cautions anyone who has come into contact with raw fish to seek medical care if they develop symptoms of infection. Read the […]

The raw deal: Why under-cooked oysters make you sick

July 18, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

In the last few weeks we have seen a spike in illness associated with consumption of raw oysters, and as the summer heats up, we anticipate more. We sat down with Jenny Lloyd, one of the epidemiologists investigating these illnesses, to learn more about what’s making people sick. Why do raw oysters make people […]

Everything you need to know about Washington’s new distracted driving law

July 11, 2017.Reading time 1 minute.

The new Washington state distracted driving law goes into effect July 23. Breaking this law could result in a $136 ticket (subsequent offenses within a five-year period jump to $235) or worse – a collision. Not sure what is and is not okay? We’ve laid it out for you. Drivers may not use hand-held cell […]