New closure and reopening protocols at King County’s lake beaches will better protect public health

Environmental scientists collect water samples each week from all King County lake beaches and test them for bacteria. Our scientists look through the data for potential public health risks. Depending on the results, we close or open beaches to keep people safe. This year, we’re changing how we make beach closure and reopen decisions. These changes are in line with the latest science.

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Help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by improving indoor air this fall and winter

By now you may have heard that we’re experiencing high cases of flu and RSV (a respiratory disease) (in-language resources available) this fall, with young children being hospitalized.  With cold weather, we spend more time inside. This increases the potential for another surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the coming months.

Diseases like RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are airborne and spread easily indoors. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to indoor air quality.

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Poison is so 1980s: How to protect your children and pets from rodent poisons

Family washing dog outside with hose

Wild rats and mice living too close to humans threaten our health. They can contaminate food, spread disease, damage property, and cause electrical fires. It makes good sense to keep rodents away from our homes. However, there are safe – and less safe ways – to get rid of them.

Many people’s first instinct is to use rodenticides – also known as rat or mouse bait – to poison the intruders. Unfortunately, misuse and overuse of these poisons are common and can harm children and pets.

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Health Officer Statement on Extreme Heat

person pouring water on their face in hot sun

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health — Seattle & King County, issued the following statement in response to the current extreme heat event in our region: The record-shattering extreme heat we’re experiencing is just the latest example of our climate crisis and how it’s impacting human health now. Extreme heat is the leading […]

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Wildfire season is coming — get smoke ready!

Hand-drawn art depicting young person using an inhaler in front of a smoky Seattle skyline.

Wildfire activity and weather patterns vary from year to year, making it a challenge to predict the likelihood of experiencing wildfire smoke events in any given year. However, for three of the past four years, wildfire smoke in our region has exposed people to unhealthy levels of particulate air pollution for prolonged periods of time. That is why Public Health is encouraging all residents to prepare now and be Smoke Ready.

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