Flying down to Rio? Health tips for travelers

July 27, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

We are so pumped for all of the Olympians representing King County and the USA, like weight lifter Morghan King from Redmond, volleyball star Courtney Thompson from Kent, decathalete Jeremy Taiwo from Renton, diver Katrina Young from Shoreline, and the Seattle Reign’s Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo! If you are heading to Rio to cheer […]

Public Health investigates Salmonella outbreak (updated 7/20)

July 18, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Public Health is investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with a Good Vibe Tribe Luau held on 7/3/16 from 6:00-11:00 PM at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. You can read more details about what we know about the ongoing investigation here. Some questions you may have: Who got sick? UPDATED 7/20 […]

Low risk for hepatitis B exposure in Virginia Mason dialysis unit

June 17, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Today, Virginia Mason Medical Center notified the public about a lapse in recommended hepatitis B screening and isolation procedures for patients who had received care in their dialysis unit. Public Health – Seattle & King County conducted an investigation into the risk to patients and staff at Virginia Mason. We asked Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health […]

Acetylfentanyl-laced cocaine may have killed two in King County

June 3, 2016.Reading time 2 minutes.

Update 7/20/16: Additional information provided by law enforcement concludes that the cocaine was not laced with acetylfentanyl at the point of purchase but that it likely was mixed after it was obtained. Original post: This week, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted autopsies on two women who apparently died from cocaine that may have been contaminated […]

Update from the White House Zika Summit

April 1, 2016.Reading time 8 minutes.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County Health Officer, is at the CDC for the White House’s Zika Readiness Action Plan Summit to meet with other health officials to share the latest scientific knowledge about the Zika virus and discuss response strategies. We contacted him at the summit to ask him about the latest on Zika. Why does […]

They’re baaaack: Gypsy moths in King County to be sprayed by the WSDA

March 28, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

King County is a welcoming community, but not for Lymantria dispar, more commonly known as the gypsy moth. These voracious moths are responsible for the defoliation of tens of millions of acres of deciduous and coniferous forests across the U.S. In Washington State, the Department of Agriculture (WSDA) carefully monitors for the presence of the […]