What’s the risk of hantavirus in King County?

May 8, 2026.Reading time 11 minutes.

Two deer mice with brown fur and white bellies

Hantavirus is in the news with the cruise ship outbreak, but this type of hantavirus is a low risk for people in King County. A public health veterinarian explains why, and also gives advice based on the few cases of hantavirus ever found in the King County.

Caution and consultation are key to preventing outbreaks in schools

April 27, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

What happens when a positive COVID-19 case is identified in a school? Public Health investigates the possible outbreak and advises districts on how to prevent or contain them. Here is the story of one school’s partnership with Public Health to successfully minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Recent increase in shigellosis cases in King County

December 30, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting an increase in shigellosis cases since mid-December in King County. Since the end of October, Public Health has received 40 total reports of Shigella infection, with 22 of those reported since December 14th.

The 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak and pandemic preparedness

January 31, 2020.Reading time 9 minutes.

Updated on 2/27/20: This blog post was originally posted on 1/31/20. Out of date information has been deleted from this blog. As the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak continues to expand in China, and the World Health Organization has now declared a global public health emergency, it raises questions about what it means for the United […]

New cases, including one death, in hepatitis A outbreak

January 9, 2020.Reading time 11 minutes.

While our community has been fortunate in that to-date we have not experienced an outbreak on the scale seen in other large cities and states across the country, we have seen a recent increase in hepatitis A cases in King County, including one death associated with hepatitis A.

Multiple cases of E. coli potentially associated with King County Evergreens restaurants

November 26, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Update (December 16, 2019): We’ve identified additional cases in the E. coli outbreak potentially linked to meals at King County Evergreens restaurants during November 5-11, 2019. This outbreak appears to be over. For more information, view the foodborne illness disclosure for this outbreak. Update (December 6, 2019): We’ve identified additional cases linked to this outbreak. […]