Healthcare organizations update masking guidelines for 2025-26 respiratory illness season

October 21, 2025.Reading time 2 minutes.

Local healthcare facilities will develop masking policies for patients, visitors, and employees in healthcare settings based on respiratory illness levels in the community. Masking is an effective way to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses in healthcare settings.

Measles case in visitor to King County: Possible exposures at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

October 17, 2025.Reading time 7 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is informing the community of a measles case in a traveler that went through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 13, 2025.

Preparing for cold weather? Rodents are too!

October 15, 2025.Reading time 7 minutes.

As the weather cools down, we spend more time inside, and so do rodents. Rats and mice start looking for warm, dry places with easy access to food. By taking simple steps now, you can keep rodents out before they settle in and create a problem.

Hep C is curable. So why aren’t more people getting treatment?

October 3, 2025.Reading time 13 minutes.

Photo of a person holding a paper image of a liver over their abdomen, where their liver sits

When a hepatitis C (“hep C”) infection is left untreated, it damages the liver over time, causing illnesses like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The good news is that hep C is curable.

Despite advances in hep C treatment that make it easier to use and prescribe, each year we still see more people in King County diagnosed than cured from hep C.

How to get the COVID vaccine in King County

September 26, 2025.Reading time 5 minutes.

Middle aged person smiling with bandaid on shoulder

Getting a COVID shot this fall might look a little different from state to state, but here in Washington, it’s pretty simple: all people ages 6 months and up can get the updated (2025-26) COVID vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.

Rabid bat found in Seattle near Washington Park Arboretum

September 25, 2025.Reading time 6 minutes.

A rabid bat was found in Seattle on September 23, 2025 near Washington Park Arboreteum. Anyone who might have had contact with this bat (even if not bitten) could be at risk and should seek medical evaluation immediately or call Public Health – Seattle & King County.