Tag: king county

Local cases of E. coli linked to romaine lettuce outbreak

.Reading time 5 minutes.

Two King County siblings, both under age 5, have been diagnosed with E. coli 0157:H7 infections that genetically match the ongoing national outbreak linked to romaine lettuce.  One child was hospitalized and has since been discharged. Both children have recovered and neither child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that can result […]

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Hey, what’s up with bats?

.Reading time 10 minutes.

Three rabid bats have been found in public areas within King County since August 19 and an additional two rabid bats were found in 2017 that had no exposure to the public. I sat down with Vance Kawakami, DVM MPH, one of our public health veterinarians and an epidemiologist, to find out what is going […]

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First and fast care: Emergency Medical Technician on the scene

.Reading time 6 minutes.

For National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week (May 21 – 27), we’re honoring the local heroes that make up our EMS/Medic One system in King County. Each day, we’ll be sharing a unique perspective on saving lives from the people doing this work every day. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Basic Life Support (BLS) response. Sent […]

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Two cases of hantavirus reported in King County since December, 2016: Be aware of health risks associated with deer mouse infestations

.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In Washington State hantavirus is carried primarily by deer mice. Over the last several months, two people in King County have become ill with HPS, and one person died. A person gets HPS by breathing in hantavirus. This can happen when dust […]

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TB evaluation at King County Jail

.Reading time 5 minutes.
An X-ray of the chest of a man with tuberculosis. The areas infected with TB bacteria are colored red. Science Photo Library/Corbis

An inmate in the King County Jail system was recently diagnosed with infectious tuberculosis (TB). The person came into contact with other inmates and staff at times between November 20, 2016 and March 1, 2017, mostly at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Public Health – Seattle & King County’s TB control program has been […]

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All Are Welcome Here: How a statement of King County commitment became a sign for every work site

.Reading time 3 minutes.

Reposted from KC Employee News Even before the Trump administration announced its travel ban, Public Health staff started to notice a downturn in the number of immigrant patients coming for care at our clinics. Tina Maestas, Public Health Nurse at the Renton Community Service Organization, contacted Director Patty Hayes to express her concern. “The Latino […]

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