BAT POSITIVE FOR RABIES FOUND IN KING COUNTY

May 10, 2021.Reading time 6 minutes.

As the weather warms up in King County, bats come out of hibernation, which means a big increase in human-bat interactions compared to other times of year.  Bats that are infected with rabies can spread the infection to humans who have bare skin contact with  bats or bat saliva. 

When treats become toxic: the Washington Poison Center’s role in preventing and reducing harm from cannabis use

March 29, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

The Washington Poison Center partnered with the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and Washington Cannabis Alliance to develop a warning sign and communications strategy to protect kids from accidental ingestion.

Creative health permit process gives paws, not pause

April 12, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Our friends at the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) deserve a treat – they’ve helped increase the pet adoption rate in King County by 20 percent in a single year. RASKC attributes some of this success to the several cat cafés located in our area. But, these cat cafes raised some questions for […]

Do it for your furry buddy: Emergency preparedness and pets

September 28, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

We get it. You’re busy, and getting ready for a disaster is not at the top of your priorities. But pet-owners, just take a look at those big trusting eyes of your furry (or scaly or feathered) friends and think about doing it for them. Recent disasters in the U.S. show that people will endanger […]

How protecting your dog’s health also protects yours

September 15, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

At Public Health, we usually leave dog-related health issues to our friends in the veterinary community, but when furry companions start getting people sick, our ears perk up. Our epidemiologists and veterinarians specialize in zoonotic diseases – diseases caused by germs that can be spread from animals to humans. We want your pup to be […]

5 reasons why hot weather raises health alarms

August 1, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable – it can be dangerous. When temperatures are very hot in King County, we see a rise in the number of hospitalizations, Emergency Medical Service calls, and most sadly, deaths. And it’s not just heat stroke and heat exhaustion: heart problems, stroke, and kidney failure are common health problems on […]