International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. This year’s theme is “recognizing those who go unseen” to shine a light on those affected by overdose who have gone unnoticed amid the crisis.

Making safer choices while back-to-school shopping

August 29, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

School supplies can have an impact on the health and safety of students in the classroom. Some common supplies have chemicals that can trigger asthma and other allergies. With that in mind, here are our recommendations for safer choices.

New case of Hantavirus reported in King County

August 28, 2023.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In Washington state, hantavirus is spread by deer mice.

Public Health is currently investigating a case in a teenage King County resident. This person was hospitalized in early August and is now recovering. The patient reported being exposed to a mouse infestation at his house in Issaquah and also bitten by a rodent in the woods in a residential area in Issaquah, Washington.

An update on COVID-19: Q&A with Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology

August 23, 2023.Reading time 10 minutes.

A collage of images showing a young man doing a COVID self-test, a vaccinated woman, and a woman holding a HEPA air filter.

You may have heard reports recently of increases in cases of COVID-19 in many parts of the U.S. We talked with Public Health’s Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Dr. Eric Chow, about what’s happening with COVID-19 in King County right now.

Tips for clean air indoors on smoky days: a Public Health comic

August 21, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Comic illustration: An Asian woman holds chopsticks. In front of her is a steamer set on a wok on an oven burner. A cat clutches a can of tuna fish. The cat says, "Let's just eat tuna from a can."

When air quality is bad outside, it’s important to keep the air inside clean. Find out how to give your lungs a break by reducing pollution indoors in this short comic strip.

Ending the HIV Epidemic: King County’s New Heroes Award

July 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

King County is entering the fourth year of implementing the End HIV Epidemic Plan (EHE). The EHE team and community partners have made rapid and remarkable progress, implementing over 25 strategies. To elevate the work and success of EHE partners in King County, the EHE Program developed an Ending the HIV Epidemic Heroes Award

PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER